The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-09
WHAT TT MAY MEAN.

The election of General Harrison will
change the course of political history and
probably lead to readjustment of party lines.
To begin with, it is popular vote of want Of
into power in 1884, after six successive Re-
publican administrations, that party naturally
looked forward to a long lease of power. In
stead of that it goes out at the end of four
years with decided expression of popular
censure. The result is plain vote of want
of confidence in the Democratic party as now
organized, and in its principles, policies and
methods as shown during four years of trial.
At first blush it might be thought this would
be the end of the party, and some Democrats
have expressed that opinion. That is not
probable. Political parties in free govern
ment are necessary and desirable. They rep
resent popular agitation and discussion, and
the outcome of these is truth and progress. An
opposition party is always necessary to keep
the party in power on its good behavior. The
Democratic party did we'll enough in opposi-
ton, but it failed in power. A party in
power should be actuated by something
higher than partisan or sectional spirit, and
should remember that the only proper use of
party organizations is to promote the general
welfare. Because the Democracy lost sight
of this idea they have been turned out Of
power.
The American people have no use for q
party that is not thoroughly national in every
sense of the word. The Democratic party, as
now organized. is not national in spirit, senti-
ment or action. 1t does not represent the
spirit of American liberty or progress. 1t is
narrow, sectional, proscriptivs, reactionary,
Bourbon. For these reasons, as we'll as for
its NAL administration of the government,
and its prostitution of the public service, the
people have turned it out of power. This may
not mean the end of the Democratic party,
but it means the end of the party as now or
ganized. 1t means it cannot hope to come
into power again with the old, iliberal, pro-
scriptive spirit and reactionary ideas. 1t
means the party must be reformed on a moro
advanced line of political thought, and become
a party of progress instead of party of reac-
ton. In this way it may prolong its existence
and even become useful.
On the other hand, the election Of General
Harrison gives the Republican party a new
lease of power, opens for it new career Of
usefulness, and foreshadows for it great work
in the way of national development and uni
6cation. For the first time in its history, it
has succeeded on a platform which even its
bittersst enemies could not call sectional
It has elected President whom all candid
people in the South, as we'll as in the North,
must admit to be true representative of the
idea of American nationality and progress in
| its broadcast and best sense. The Republican
party. as now organized, represents principles
| and policies which are as essential to the
welfare and prosperity Of the South as of the
! North. The President.elect is the political
| embodiment of these ideas. He is man of
| national principles and elected on a national
| platform. Under these circumstances. he
| will have it in his power to do mere towards
Matchmaking the Republican party than any
| other President has done.
This election opens the way for the disin-
Il =
| has already begun. West Virginia prob.