Wichita eagle., 1888-07-15

thouehfless as to the slgnrncance or the
times We do not presume to discuss the
attitude, the feelings or the principles OF
those who announce themselves as ready
and anxious to begin the battle under tho
Democratic standard. For those who hon.
estly beheve in the right and honor Of that
cause we have only pity
For those who have been led to array
themselves under il because four years ago.
through combination of mistakes and mis-
fortunes, il was for moment successful
we have ouIy contempt. Our inquiry con-
Germs solely those in whom a preponderence
OF right principle, an honorable training and
a desire to act In harmony with all that is
good and true in mankind. Al such natur-
ally and inevitably find themselves drawn
toward the Republican party and possessed
bv desire to enlist and fight beneath its
standard To such as this the query:
What is Repub licanisn! Is the living Ques-
ton of the time, and we VIII undertake 70
answer II, and, we venture TO think, TO de-
fine the views of the best citizens Of our
common country. By first defining what Is
non-Republican and opposed to the princi-
pies Of the great party.
In the first place. Repubicanism is not
the bind following OF any man. however
great or gifted, 70 the exclusion Of al oues-
ton as to his fitness for the Office to which
he may aspire or 70 which his friends would
elevate him. regardless Of his fitness, cana
biiities or personal record. Republcallsn
is not the sacrifice OF one section of the
country to the interests OF another regard
less of inahenable right OF every thing but
temporary political expedisncy. Republic
auisrn IS not the prostitution OF the civil
service of the worlds Eiost powerful Ia
ton to the subserviency or party ends. Re-
pubhcanism is not the coercion and intlrni-
dalton OF thousands Of honest but physically
weak electors because Of their color or pre-
vious condition RepublicanIsm Is not the
equalization Of license or RIGHTEOUSNESS.
In short Republicanism is not the party OF
the bastard, the demagogue or the drunk
ard.
Having indicated thus briefly what is not
Repu biicanism, we may as briefly say what,
in our opinion, is included within the simple
limits of the Republican creed at the pres
ent time. The tenets are few in number
but broad in their application, including the
selection for every Office, from the Presi-
dency downwardS, OF the best man, the
truest man and the most honest man for the
place which is TO be flied. TIE immediate
adjustment on fair and impartial basis of
the tariffs and duties imposed by the Gov
eminent with view to giving capital in
vested in manufacturing, farming and min
ing fair rate OF interest and the labor en-
gagged in the same enterprises the largest
possible return for time and toll. The full
est recognition and compensation consistent
with principles of equity of the service OF
the heroes who conquered IN the bloody
years OF 1661-65 the principles of democracy
which then. as now, threatened the life OF
the Nation. The protection in his civil
rights of every legal voter IN the common
wealth and the unfettered exercise of his
privileges az citizen in purely Rspub-
ican community. These we conceive TO be
the leading principles of Republicanism-