The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-09-29
RUssELLvIILE. POPE co. ARK. SEPTEMBER 1886


Little Rock Democrat.
\ careful study Of the figures ol
the late election should convince the
opposcrs Of Democracy that they are
trying 70 pitch straws against the
wind. Arkansas has an able repre-
sentation in congress- and the De
mocracy is willing that 1t should all
succeed itself. Democracy in Ark
ansas will never fail until it fails to
meet the demands Of the people, or,
rather, the demands Of economical
and purely republican government.
In all Of its essential qualities it is the
party ofa republic, because, while
there is Federal constitution to be
obeyed and give national strength in
a collective way, the Interpretation
and construction or Democracy ex
tends to the people Of the State the
fullest privilege o. local self govern
ment. Thus showing that the princi-
pies Of the party Indicate an abiding
faith in the people to govern them
selves, levy necessary taxation and
foster enterprises of internal and state
improvement. The reverse Of this is
the tendency of the Republican par
ty. Here we have principles that
tend to strong centralized govern
ment; that would blot out State lines
and make antocrats OF federal
judges; principles that in practical
application deny the rightor ability
of the people to govern themselves;
principles that would make assess
ments without the consent of the
people; principles that would deny
that all men are created equal and
would build up semi nobility to be
given special privileges and recog-
nized as superior classes. We see a
practical illustration OF this last as
sertion in the tariff doctrine as main
tanned and advocated by the Repub-
llcan party, and every merchanic,
farmer and laboring nan should
thoroughly inform himself on this
subject. Because the direct effect of
the Republican tariff is to build up,
foster and encourage monopoly, TO
build castle walls around the great
corporations and leave the poor and
commonality of the people defense
less and at the mercy of the protect
ed masters" And when these great
manufacturing corporations are thus
protected, their avarice becomes
more intense and grasping-so much
so that home labor is ignored,
spurned and driven out into the pre-
cincts of poverty and starvation to
make way for the cheap pauper i'm
portations from all over the globe.
The above is only brief outline
OF the principles Of the two great
American parties, and of their prac
tical workings in their dealings with
the people. The statements are
truly made, yet, strangely enough,
we fin6 laboring men in this coun.
try even labor organizations
working in the interest of the Repub-
lican party working for any party
that opposes Democracy. And here
in lies an Inconsistency that cannot
possibly be recouciled by any course
of reasoning.
All that the people have ever ask
ed the Democrats for they have re-
ceived; or, if not, the gift was with
held per force of Republican opposi-
tion.
Now, then, on the I'd of November
the people OF Arkansas will be call
ed upon to elect five congressman.
They have candidates in the field
who have ability and who have been
tried; the men who are arrayed
against them have no place IN poll
tics. They are as the chameleon
whose color changes with the light
reflected upon him; their politics
are as uncertain as the appearance
of the great sea serpent; yet thev
ask intelligent people for support -
thus evincing type of presumption
that will be laughed at at the polls.