Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-10-05
AN OFF YEAR.
for the Members of the
Republican Party to Ttink About.


gentleman who ought to be we'll in
formed in political matters, in letter
intended to persuade republicans who
are temperance men to vote against
their party, says: "This is an off year;
no great question of any moment divides
the parties this fall; no great principle
will be advanced by the triumph or
defeat of either of the great parties"
This is, of course, mere expression of
opinion-an expression of opinion by a
man who seems incapable OF understand
ing that the opinions of other men as
earnest as he is, as close students Of the
political situation, and honest as he can
claim to be, are entitled to respect. But
putting all question as to the differences
among temperance men aside, the main
question presented by this gentleman is
whether any great principle will be ad-
vanceo by the triumph or defeat of the
republican party.
This is an Of year, but congress to
act as the tool of or as the restraining
influence on democratic administra-
tlon Ia to be elected. Can any republic
can who cares for the principles of his
party deliberately cast his vote in such
a way as to make sure OF tue triumph
of the democrats in national aud state
Legislatures? Gan he IN cold blood take
step that will tend to tighten the grip
of the democratic party on the country
for twenty or tbety years? 1t is an
oren secret that the democrats are pre-
psrlng FOR the campaign of 1883 with
tie joea that to make sure OF their
hold of the national government they
must wIu in tnat contest, and that
il they win they will be strong enough
! to carry out the programme of convert
| ing oil the legislation of the recopstruo-
| tion period. Tney are preparing for
the Campaign OF 1858 with the uader-
standing that, if they lose, the republi-
cen party will resume control OF tie
government and keep it for two or three
decades. The first step toward tighten
| ing their G lip on the country is to be
taken this fell in securing as large an
ultra democratic free- trade majority in
congress as possible, and in securing
the aoatcc! Of as many state legislatures
in the north.
The terms OF United States Senators
Hawley of Connecticut, Harrison of In.
diana, Dawes of Massachusetts, Cnngel
of Mlchigen, Mcmillan of Minnesota
Seweil of New Jersey, Miller of New
York, and Sawyer of Wisconsin, expire
on the 4th of March. 1857. The legls-
latures that will select their successors
are to be elected this fall. The demo
Gratis believe that they have fighting
chance to elect democrats i'll the plac.
of Hewley, Harrison, Conger, Mcmillan
Sewell, and Sawyer. If republicans
should act on the idea that they car
t stay at home or with impunity vote 70
third party candidate as an expert
ment this fall, or if they should go int
the canvass with the idea that no grea
! principle OF question was at stake an
o that it made little difference whethe
!, the republican gubernatorial, Legislative
or congressional candidates were defeat
: ed or not, then it will be possible TO
: the democrats to control the next Unit
J. eS States senate, the next house c
representatives by an overwhelming ms
jorlty, and control the state legislature
in a majority of the states.
Does any man of common sens
L contend that this will be trifiip
If matter to an honest, earnest, en-
patriotic republican? Will it be trit
! ling matter to surrender seven seats i
q the United States senate, to replac
:, men like Hawley, Harrison, Congo
!. Sewell, and Sawyer by bourbon demo
N Gratis committed to tho democrat:
doctrine of reversing or annullin
). republican legislation? Vii! it be
. trifing matter TO put in the lowsr hout
il OF congress majority committed
- the vagaries of Morrison aud 9th,
~ democratic leaders, bringing upon ii
:. country the depression and stagnatio
! incident to free trade legislation Wi
;, it be triting matter to turn the sta
v governments of five or six norther
- states oyer to the democrats, thus eivir
prestige and impetus to the democrat
!, movement in 1888?
20 Suppose that after March 4, 1887, I'll
:, United States senate has q democrat
~ ~ majority; suppose that the congre
"a elected this fall has an overwhelmil
=, majority ready to act on the dictate
oa of the bourboDs or the southern brig
n diers; suppose the machinery of Il
ar state governments of Michigan, WI
a 90 consin, Minnesota, and other stat
~, goes into the hands of democrats; So
~ ~ pose that a!! these things happen, wh
70. good has been done to any cause
,or which republican Is interested, al
~ yet "ufU lTE6phThUlo uh6 UG
~ done to the cause of good governmer
IA With democratic senate there is no
az ing between the people and the den
o., cratic executive, and the experience
=; last winter shows how far democra
,at can go. Already bills have been reco
mended looking to the payment of
JHRrebel debt, to tnespayment of the rel
.ea claims, to the modification of homestt
,@is. @ and pre-emption and other land la
~ to the reversal Of principles TO VIII
air the republicans have devoted their Ii
,oit and something more, and yet men pr
Nv. about this being an off year, and alb
!. there being no danger in trying exp,
r,, ments.
Ia a,a The truth is that republicans m
7A do their duty this fall with the earn
=, ness and enthusiasm that they carl
VIII into the canvass of 1868 and /
ubt There will be traitors in the camp,
ex- spies under the guise OF advisers
rho friends; there will be schemlng
chicanery on the part of men sal
'yai under all sorts OF aags. There will
sent innocent noodles striking at the REP
ong lican party in the dark, and aggres
fanatics who would like to see 1t
down, but all the came men who 8
by Lincoln and Grant and Gar
must close their ears to bad advice
., must keep their eyes to the front,
=" cause in front is the battle-fi field, ani
%. that field are formed in closest figt
Tia | order the traditional and uneonIprf