Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-07
POLITICAL COMMENT.
differences Betwcen PARTIES


There are thousands OF young voters II
every state who have been born since the
emancipation proclamation and the closing
battles OF the war. They are not influenced by
the proud record OF the party which freed the
slaves aud saved the uuion nor by the shame
full memorials Of a democracy that rename ed
decade after decade In pusillsnimous alliance
with slave owners, and hnally pronounced
the war future. They are In quest Of in
formation respecting the living issues OF poll.
tics and the actual distinctions between par
ties 1t is most necessary and important for
republican orators and journals In this cam.
paign to remember that anew generation has
been born and has grown into citizenship
since Lincoln's assassination and the recon
struction period. Ia every audience and In
every constituency OF readers younger vo tiers
will be found who are accustomed TO refer to
war times and anti slavery days very much as
veterans OF the campaign OF 1910 reverted TO
the early struggles between the federalists
and Jenerson's party. To them q party
record 10 ancient political history. They re-
quire TO be told What repubicanism means
TO-DAY; what Is II that democracy stands for;
and what are the essential differences between
parties
The most comprehensive reply that can be
made 10 such inquiries 10 this the republican
party desires moro legislation on constructive
Issues OF national reform and progress where
as the democratic party wants less OF IL. The
man who believes that political government
should be an active, creative and reforming
agency, developing and diversifying the con.
ditions OF Industry, fostering the best inter-
ests OF the people and exerting a benefcent
influence upon the progress OF national civ.
iiization 10 by the constitution OF his mind a
republican. 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
deprecates activity In the direction Of social
or political reform, is by nature q democrat
The republican demands the maintenance Of
the protective system by which home manu-
features have been multiplied, the country
rendered independent I'm its Industrial actiyi-
Ties. remuneratiye employment given to d.
verse classes OF population aud the general
welfare promoted. The democrat wants as
little IS possible OF this constructive leglsla.
tion, and is convinced that tarih has done In
the long run more harm than good and should
be gradually repealed. The republican, when
he finds something wrong In the educational
system In the civil service, In the conduct OF
prisons. In the administration Of government,
or In the conditions OF suffrage, seeks a |
remedy In legislation. The democrat prefers |
TO say that evils will either right themselves |
II left alone, or else that nine-tenths OF the |
law making does more harm than good One |
believes in free use OF the creative and re. |
forming agencies OF government The other
wants as little new legislation AS possible and |
aims 10 undo much that has been well done |
This fundamental difference between |
American political parties exists now as 1t has
10 the psst. The democratic party is opposed
to-day TO constructive legislation on behalf OF
industries as II was fifty years ago.
II antagonizes civil service reform and re-
medal legislation OF any kind from ballot
reform act In New York TO temperance law
In New Jersey, Michigan or Kansas precisely
as IL once obstructed the anti slavery agita-
lion, the constitutional amendments the re-
OF specie payments, or legislation
Tor the vigorous prosecution OF the war IN |
nearly every northern state ii has been the
answering opponent OF the restriction OF
he liquor traffic and the suppression OF the
rink evil. II isa party that has never been
waved by moral issue and has never favored
'reative or progressive legislation.
The republican party believes In govern
nent for American interests. In legislation
or American industries, aud In ora ctical re-
forms in state aud nation. il demands the
maintenance OF that splendid triumph Of !
creative legislation-the protective tariff
which the free trade democracy Is striving to
epeal and DESTROY. In states where prohf-
,ition amendments have been carried or high
license laws passed IL has been on the side OF
temperance and the best interests OF the
merican home. II represents what 10 the
most Characteristic and progressive In Ameri-
an civilization. -Nsp York Tribune.