Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-13
Obituary Of the 6. 0. P.


| NRAb0HAJ N@ hAAS ~ ~
lst. Louis Globe Democrat.
The words which Shakespeare puts
into the mouth of Antony of Cnsar's
funeral concerning the irony of fame
have their application TO parties AS
well as TO individuals. 1t is not
more true that "The evil that men do
lives after them," while "the good is
oft inferred with their bones,' than
1t is that policical organizations de-
prived of power are not always sure
10 have justice done them and fair
credit awarded them for the service
they may have rendered to the coun-
try aud mankind. Their mistakes
and shortcomings are apt to be re-
membered in vivid and ungener-
GUS way, and their praise-worlhy
leeds dismissed with grudging no.
lice, or given over 10 torgetfulness.
Especially in an age like the present,
when things move SO rapidly, and
Today so easily becomes Yesterday,
| the chances that q sound and exact
estimate will be at once made and
allowed in such cases are not OF the
best and party so situated has
reason TO fear that more account will
he taken of the superficial faults or
incidental over-sights by which it
lost an election that 1t might have
won than of the sterling virtues
which enabled il TO achieve steady
victory for long series of years,
against adverse influences Of every
sort.
An instance in poiut is directly at
hand. The Republican party is about
to surrender control OF the govern
ment, after nearly quarter OF a cen
tury of supremacy. by a plurity of
barely l,l49 votes in the state of New
York, 1t is required TO give place 10
a party which 1t defeated in five
previous conflicts, and which IL
would have beaten again in this sixth
Struggle but for circumstances OF
strictly casual aud accidental quality.
In other words, bit Of laundering,
little imprudence, did for it what
all the prolonged and resolutc assaults
of its adversary had failed to accom-
plish. There is no ground for the
claim that tie impending change al
Washington signifies popular ver-
dict against republican sentiments
aud principles, or popular declara-
ton of regret that the Republican
party was allowed TO rule the country
so many years. And yet it is quite
likely that we shall hear more for
some time about the things which
this party of unexampled victory.
omitted 10 do, and so invited over
throw, than about the things which
IL did, and so commended itself 10
general respect and gratitude. Be-
cause IL stumbled in matter of cam
paign tactics il will be reproached in
spirit of careless Indifference 10 the
correct aud splendid parts of its rec
ord and II must wait patiently for
the sober second thought Of the peo-
pie TO pass judgment upon il accord
ing 10 its true deserts.
That such a Judgment will vindi-
cate its right TO be considered at once
b Ilh the wisrst and the most beneii-
cent political party that ever existed,
there is conclusive reason to believe,
Under its sway, the country has made
greater progress than We ever before
made in the same length of time by
any country in the world. In all
history, ancient and modern, there is
nothing TO match the results compass
ed by republican courage, skill and
energy in the interest of popular lib
crty, of good government, and Of the
common welfare and prosperity.
The contrast between the national
condition in 1861 and in 1885 tells u
story of POLITICAL conquest and re-
formation and heroic devotion to the
right for the rights sake that will be
an example and ah inspiration for all
time to the people of every land
Count all the mistakes and all the
omissions, and still there remains an
absolute and interchangeable amount
of wise service well performed that
has no parallel. The Union rescued
from destruction, slavery abolished,
citizenship relieved of all invidious
distinctions, the opportunities Of la
Dor increased in every direction-such
are the fruits of republican rule that
can not be denied and that will not
cease TO bear witness in defence and
commentator of republican princi-
Piles and methods of administration.
Ii may be that the truth will be OBJ
scured for season, but it will be for
a season only 1t can not fail to re-
ccive due recognition as time passes
and men come to look at the matter
squarely and candidly, and to under
stand by experience how the substi-
tuition of democratic for a republi-
can way of doing things really affects
| the interests Of the country.
A party with q record so radiantly
excellent and honorable is not going
to decay, fall to pieces and disappear.
Its mission has not been accomplished,
its chances of usefulness have not
been exhausted. The things that 1t
has done for civilization and progress,
for national glory and the practical
benefit of all classes of people, are of
a permanent character, and must
continue TO influence the popular
thought and feeling in spite of the
accession of the democracy to power
for the ensuing fouryears, The new
administration dare not undertake to
reverse the main features ofthe philos-
ophy by which the republican party
has been guided. 1t could not If it
would invalidate the great measures
of liberty and philanthropy that the
Republican party has placed securely
in the stature books, and revive the
old, exploded forms of belief aud
prejudice that prevailed in the era Of
Pierce and Buchanan. III tho very
nature of things, the conditions of
republican vitality and renewed
strength and success are bound to be
maintained, even under opposition