New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-06
tgss;ss z, | 81 I s....IT
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PARTIES.

There are thousands of young voters in every
State who have been born since the Emancipa-
ton Proclamation and the closing battles of the
war. They are not influenced by the proud
record Of the party which freed the slaves and
saved the Union, nor by the shameful me-
MORALS Of a Democracy that remained decade
after decade in pusillanimous alliance with
save-owners. and finally pronounced the war
failure. They are in quest OF information
respecting the living issues OF politics and the
actual distinctions between parties. 1t is most
necessary and important for Republican orators
and journals in this campaign to remember
that new generation has been born and has
grown into citizenship since Linccln's aSsas-
snation and the Reconstruction period. In
every audience and in every constituency OF
readers Younger voters will be found who are
accustomed to refer to war times and anti
slavery days very much as veterans of the cam
paign Of 1910 reverted to the early struggles
between the Federalists and JcffersOnS party.
To them party record is ancient political his
tory. They require to be told what Repub
licansm means to-day; what it is that De-
mocracy stands for; and what are the essen
tial differences between parties.
The most comprehensive reply that can be
made to such inquiries is this the Republican
party desires more legislation on constructive
issues of National reform and progress, where
as the Democratic party wants less of it. The
man who believes that political government
should be an active, creative and reforming
agency developing and diversifying the condi-
tons of industry, fostering the best interests
Of the people and eXerting a benehcent infiu-
cnce upon the progress Of National civilization
is by the constitution Of his mind a Repub-
lican. The man who complains that the Nation
is already governed too much or asserts that
the worlds exchanges should be allowed to
regulate themselves in accordance with the
conditions Of demand and supply or depre-
Gates activity in the direction Of social or po-
litica reform, is by nature Democrat. The
Republican demands the maintenance Of the
protective system by which home manufactures
have been multiplied, the country rendered
Independent in its industrial activities, re-
munerative employment given to diverse classes
Of population and the general welfare pro-
NOTED. The Democrat wants as littlo as pos
Siblc Of this constructive legislation, and is
convinced that tariff has done in the long
run more harm than good and should be grad
ually repealed. The Republican, when he
finds something wrong in the educational sys-
TEN, in the Civil Service, in the conduct Of
prisons in the administration Of government,
or in the conditions CT suffrage, seeks remedy
in legislation. The Democrat prefers to say
that evils will either right themselves if left
alone, or else that nine-tcnths Of the law
making does more harm than good. One be-
lieves in free use Of the creative and re-
forming agencies of government. The other
wants as little new legislation as possible, and
aims to undo much that has been well done.
This fundamental difference between Ameri-
can political parties exists now as it has in the
past. The Democratic party is opposed to-day
to constructive legislation .on behalf of Ameri-
can industries as it was fifty years ago. 1t
antagonizes Civil Service reform and remedial
legislation Of any kind from Ballot-Reform
act in New-YorIl to Temperance law in New
Jersey, Michigan or Kansas, precisely as 1t
once INSTRUCTED the anti-savery agitation, the
constitutional amendments, the resumption OF
specie payments, or legislation for the vigorous
prosecution Of the war. In nearly every North
ern State il has been the answering opponent
Of the restriction of the liquor traffic and the
suppression of the drink evil II is party
that has never been swayed by moral issues.