Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-08
Issues Of the Campaign.


that there were no longer any vital
issues between the parties and that
the campaigns had become simply
gladiatorial contests between the
"ins" and the "outs" for posses
sion of the spoils. No matter how
untrue the assertion has always
been, it took hold of the popular
imagination, if not judgment, at
last and worked a good deal Of
mischief to the dominant party.
1t particularly affected the Repub-
lican party for obvious reasons.
That party has always been on
the affirmative side Of questions Of
public polity and given to aggres-
sive action in legislation. It has
shaped the civil life of the nation
for whole generation and been
the frequent source of national
progress and prosperity. 1t has
been the party Of ideas and their
vigorous propcndage, and when
there came a time of less tension
very naturally the number OfWeak
weary and laggard fellows who
fell out of ranks for a breathing
spell was greatest from the party
Of greatest activity. No body
need get very tired from service in
the party of negation and reaction.
1t is a continued rest to belong to
a party that does little else besides
saying "No." When this infection
got into the Republican ranks the
incentive to strive to hold onto
national power merely for sake of
ruling and enjoying the emolu-
ments of office was utterly insult
ficient to keep large numbers Of
the party in line; the stay-at-homes
and the espousers Of 1.-The great
moral issue of prohibition" turned
the scales and the South took
command ut the White House.
Now, the question arises as to
whether the real issues of the
coming campaign can be SO stated
and emphasized as to attract to
the Republican ranks its oldtime
majoritics among the states, and
the party once more be put in
charge of national affairs.
First and foremost every true
Republican must sincerely hope
that the Presidents free-trade mes
sage, which his party committees
are distributing as the first cam
paign document, has committed
the Democratic party to the doc
trine of frce-trade revision of the
tariff as against protection revis-
ion. All arc agreed that there
should be a reduction of the rev.
cnue and the issue will be on the
manner of accomplishing it. Here
is a vital, distinct and intirely
ineligible question upon which
voters can take sides with sense
of its sufficient Importance to con-
stitute true national issue. 1t
touches the pocket-book and that
touches every comfort, convent
ence and luxury in life. It mat
tiers little to say that SO far the
Democrats have not done much
mischief. They have not had both
ends Of the Capitol and the Sup
RENE Court, but with the Presi-
dency this year we may reason
ably expect that both will go in
body. 1t has been impossible SO
far for them to greatly change the
policy Of the government but this
years campaign will put them in
full possession or revert to Repub-
lican dominance, and the great
industrial interests of this country
are at stake.
In the second place. and only
second because its effects will be
more remote, the question of I'M
trammeled suffrage must be con-
sidered. The continued success
of sectionalism in the South is a
standing menace to government
of the people, by the people, for
the people" There is not a we'll
read Democrat in the country Of
sufficient hardihood to deny at this
late day that the Solid South is
the product Of deliberate fraud and
intimidation justified by the doc
trine that wealth, culture and re-
fnement should rule, the war
amendments to the constitution to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
This is an issue that involves the
very theory of our civil institutions
and the integrity Of our funda-
mental law 1t is not a question
of dollars and cents in next years
assets but is quite as vital in the
long run. If it is not met now, its
day will only be deferred, and
when it does come, as come it
must, the longer the delay the
more serious the settlement will
be.
In the third place, the question
will demand a hearing as to
whether the old trouble of ''the
balance of power" between the
North and South is going to be
permitted to vex us forever.