The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-01-04
YOUNG VOTERS, ATTENTION!
Concise Statement of the Position Each
Party Sustains Toward the
Government.
What the Democratic Party Has Been
in the Past IL Remains to This
Day.
From the New York Tribune.l

Thousands Of young men are asking the
question put by correspondent In the fol-
lowing letter.
TO che Editor of the Tribune-sm: Will you
please inform me what is the difference be.
tween Republican and Democrat2 Next
vote. VETERANS Son.
1t is the same difference essent ally which
has existed in the past between Democrat
and Federalist, or between a Democrat
and Wing. From the foundation Of the
government there have been two parties,
one of which has desired less and the other
more legislation on constructive issues of
National reform and progress. The Fed
eralists desired to arm the National Gov
eminent with requisite authority over the
States so as to insure its preservation. The
Federalist Secretary of the Treasury,
Alexander Hamilton, proposed in one of
his earliest reports a comprehensive scheme
for the development of home industries,
and the Wings, in later times, under Henry
Clay, became the champions of tariff legis-
lation. Albert Gallatin, the first great
Democratic fnancier, was Free Trader,
and his party at every stage of its history
has shown hostility to National industries.
The Wings and the Republicans have de-
manded increasingly constructive legisla-
ton for the nurture and maintenance of
home manufactures.
The Democrats have wanted no legisla-
ton Of this nature; and whenever tariff
system has been established they have en-
deavored strenuously to overthrow it.
The Republican party was recruited
from the ranks Of the Wings and Free
Sellers, whose consciences revolted against
slavery as a legalized institution in u free
country. II demanded legislation against
a system of human bondage degrading
alike to masters and slaves. The Demo-
cratic party, from the beginning Of its his
tory until the emancipation proclamation,
was opposed to such legislation. When
civil war burst upon the country it was
still the defender OF the slave owning oil
garchy; and precisely as it had opposed the
Federalist doctrine of a strong, centralized
National Government, il resisted coercion
Of the Southern States In the first instance,
and for four years, while the armies were
in the field, was uniformly hostile to legis-
lation for the vigorous and successful con-
duct of the war. The Morrill, tariff, the
legal tender act, the establishment of the
National banks, emancipation and the
constitutional amendments, the recon-
struction policy and resumption were dis
tinctively Republican achievements in con-
structive legislation. The Democratic party
was opposed to each and every demand for
more Legislation. 1t wanted no legislation.
What the Democratic party has been in
the past 1t remains to this day-the party
that is opposed heart and soul to legisla-
ton in behalf of national interests and
social and political reforms. Under Repub-
lican tariff legislation thousands of indus
tries have been established, and American
progress has become the marvel of Chris
tendon. The Democratic party stands to-
day for the repeal of that legislation-the
foundation of the nations present pros
perity. The Republican party stands for
the protection of those industries by legis-
lation, and also for the protection Of what
should be the most sacred interest in the
sight of every true mantle American
home. Since the Maine law was enacted,
a generation ago, that party has been in
sympathy with every legislative attempt for
the restriction or suspension of the drink
evil. In States where prohibition amend
ments have been carried the Republicans
have supplied the votes. In States where
high-lcense laws have been proposed or
enacted the same party has been the active
agent of social reform. The Democratic
party, true to its obstructive instincts, has
been the answering opponent of legisla-
ton of any kind for the restriction of
liquor traffic and the suppression of intem-
perance and all the blighting evils of drink.
1t never was known to vote against bar
rel of whisky.
Before our young friend casts his first
vote next year let let him weigh well this
fundamental difference between the party
that wants legislation and the party that
wants no Legislation whenever issues in
volvng the highest interests of the nation
are raised. The Demo cratic party too day
is, as it has ever been, opposed to legisla-
ton by which national security, CONNER
cial prosperity, and social and political
reform are promoted. The Republican
party has always favored progressive legis-
lation.