The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19
THE OLD SECTIONAL ISSUE.
The Democratic Party No Longer Handi
capped by Republican Misrepresentation.

The Democratic Party No Longer Handi-
capped by Republican misrepresentation.
In the FIRST place, the democratic party is no
longer handicapped by the republican theory
Ol It's hopeless deprayty. From the final re-
construction Of the government 20 the canvass
81 1851 it was the helpless victim OF a foregOne
conclusion. The entire stock IN trade oil the re-
publican leaders was the alleged wickedness of
the democrats. 10 was, in fact, the platform on
which the party made its fight in every national
canvass ssrcc that OF lsbS. This democratic
wickedncss WIS not actual. out only con-
structive. il was imputed diabolism, and was
depicted IN startling prophecies OF Shat the
democratic party would do, should IL be restored
10 power. The election OF democratic presi-
dent would PROSTATE our manufactures aud de-
range the nEances. IL would debase the Cur
reucy and destroy the public credit. Ii would
lead 10 the admission oil Utah, with her pOlyg-
amy, aud give the democrats two L. :. senator's
II would open the way for the creation of new
state, 70 be carved out of the Indian territory
and thus add two more l. ). senators to the
side OF democracy and the South. II would
lead 10 the division OF Texas into five states
and thus strengthen the ascendency of the South
~ eight additional I. =. senator's. 1t would re-
construct the supreme court OF the United States
by duplicating the number OF judges, three
tourths OF whom would be selected from the
south, and then the reconstruction acts and
constitutional amendments would be pro-
nounced unconstitutional aud void The
country would be sGdded with the Confederate
debt aud the Confederate pensions, while the
bounties and pensions OF our Union soldiers
and sailors would be repudiated. The doctrine
OF secession would be reasserted and slavery
would be re-estGblished throughout the South,
and the finishing touch was frequently given
TO this catalogue OF democratic crimes aud
calamites by declaring that the old slave
holders were preparing inventories OF their
lost slaves 10 be presented 10 congress with
their petitions Tor compensation when the
democratic party should regain the control Of
the government
Gentlemen, / reproduce these stunning
prophecies for the special editcatiOn OF the
public in this campaign. They are too pictur-
esque and fascinating 20 be forgotten and will
form a permanent chapter in the cUriOsities of
politics CT course the prophets themselves
did not believe a word of their predictions, but
all the same these predictions were made TO
play very decisive part IN defeating the dem
ocrats in the campaigns Of 1872, 1876 and 1880.
During the past twenty years there has been a
constantly growing spirit of discomfort in the
ranks OF repuhlcaniSm and hundreds and
thousands would have enlisted under the BAN
ner OF temperance or as members OF our various
labor organizations, but they were made TO be-
lieve that their Independent action, by weaken
ing the republican ranks, would restore 'the
rebels 10 power. They were so thoroughly
indoctrlnatcd with the theory that One-half the
people o. the United States were in
herently disloyal to the old flag and incur
ably vicious that they felt constrained
10 remain quietly IN the party traces in order
20 save the country from impending danna-
ton and ruin. They did not see that a theory
of American politics which makes one totally
base and unworthy and the other perfectly vir-
tuous and patriotic would, in practice prove
utterly fatal to democratic institutions and
that the adoption of such a theory by the re-
publican party would so otiiict it with the dry
gangrene Of its own seif-righteOusness that
death would inevitably follow. But il worked
admirably Tor years. No delusi0n ever had a
more marvellous success, or more INSCRIPTIONS
managers. No political superstition was ever
more skillfully manipulated by its chief
priests. Il held the republican party solidly
together, and thus completely disabled the
democrats. They could not silence the clamor
OF their enemies and refute their railing ac-
cusatioDs unless they could regain power, and
with II the opportunity 10 act; and they could
not regain power because these railing accusa-
tons were accepted as gospel truth. Ii was a
state OF things perfectly calculated TO perpe-
trste republican rule indefinitely, and suppress
all criticism Of its misdeeds; and il now seems
q marvel that this party devil-worship was so
soon brought to an end.