The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-21
THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN GOSPEL.


We have received a copy of THE Cam
paign Textbook of the Democratic Party of
the United States for the Presidential Cam
paign of the United States" prepared by the
tee, and bearing the impressive legend,
'.Public Office is a public trust" Issued IN
der these solemn auspices, it may be regarded
as the Democratic gospel for the time being.
AS a record Of the achievements Of the Dem.
ocratic party in the way OF saving the country
and the Constitution, we do not think there
is anything extant quite equal to this text
book. 1t modestly omits all reference to the
war, and to the herculean labors of the Dsmoc-
achievements Of the party since the war are
set forth with a wealth of imagination seldom
found outside the pages of a dime novel. We
learn, especially, that the present administra-
ton came in just in time TO save the country
from general destruction. aud that in the
short space Of little more than three years it
has accomplished wonders in restoring the
ancient landmarks Of the Constitution, bring
ing the government back to q standard Of
Ice reform. etc. A practical proof Of this
is seen in the improved efficiency of
the postal service. In the thrilling
language OF the textbook, perfume
tory processes, chronic evils, favori.ism in
contracts, indifference to peculation and
fraud have given way to inspection, reform
in method and vigorous enforcement Of law"
If anybody doubts that let him ask Eugene
Higgins or the indianapolis postmaster. The
learn many other things not known to the
general public. For instance, while it Is not
claimed that the treasury was empty or the
government credit below par when the Demo
cratic party came into power, or that q fnan-
cial system had to be created, it is demou-
strated that the Cleveland administration has
continued to operate the system devised and
created by the Republican party to the best
of its ability, the inference being clear that it
deserves great credit for not bankrupting the
treasury and wrecking the government, as
the Democracy did in 1861. From a chapter
| entitled Democracy and the Soldier we
gether that the Democratic party is the old,
original, Simon pure soldiers friend. This
friendship seems to have begun some time
after the war, and to have grown very rapidly
Of late. 1t does not appear that the Democ-
racy created the present pension system or
passed any of the laws, but as they have not
destroyed the system nor repealed any Of the
laws they are entitled to considerable credit.
AS to President Cleveland, we are
told that Gas Mayor of Buffalo
and Governor of New York he
never failed to revere the soldiers mem
ory." AS no exception is made to this
sweeping statement, we presume it includes
George Brinski, the Presidents substitutes
fact which speaks volumes for his sense of
gratitude. The chapter or Chinese Immi-
gfatloO Is very lutcfcspbB, ano feH1luus uS
very much of one Of Senator Voorhees,
speeches. Thus, we find it stated that 'the
immigration of the Chinese to this country
began during the civil war" the inference
being that the Republican party is responsible
for it. AS a matter Of fact, Chinese immi-
grafton began..as early as 1S49, and Appleton's
Encyclopedia (Vol. ", p. 453) shows there
were n ,O75 here by 1861. 1t places the arriv-
ais during the year 1852 at 1884, in 1854 at
10, O63, etc. The encyclopedia is doubtless
wrong, and should be made to harmonic with
the Democratic campaign textbook. or it
may mislead the President when he comes to
speak on the Chinese question.
The volume contains much more of the
same sort Of matter. related with the same
fidelity to details and in Truthful James
style. The book is we'll calculated to fire the
Democratic heart, and we cheerfully recon-
mend it as the most complete and compre-
hensive collection of campaign lies ever
issued.