The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1889-09-28
A PARTY OF PRINOIPLES.


The Democratic press have nomi-
mated Harrison as Republican candi-
date in 1892. The nltiona! conven-
ton which meets to outline the policy
OF the patty may or may not see fit to
nominate the present incumbent as
standard bearer in the coming canvass.
In the latter emergency we sympathize
with our friends of the opposite politi-
cal persuasion for being premature in
their calculations The Republican
party is party of principles, not men,
and it makes little difference who Sc
cures the nomination, so that he up
holds the great fundamental doctrines
of the organization. We cannot say
as much of Democracy. In 1864 that
party, in session in Chicago, resolved
that ''this war is failure" and this
was at the time that Lee, with his
Confederates, were cannonading Get
tysburg. This party went before the
country during that campaign on this
issue, with a Union general as their
leader. The following campaign, in
1868, Democrats raised the cry Of
equitable adjustment" "pay the ma
tional debt in greenbacks," and the
patriotism of the people came to the
rescue of national honor, and they
were defeated. In 1872, taking poor
Horace Greely as their candidate, they
went before the country on platform
which attempted to consolidate discon
tented Republicans and rebel Demo
Gratis, and again met their Waterloo
A wild cry of "reform" was the shib-
bcleth in 1876, and again the Amer
lean people voted against the party.
The Democracy was defeated in 1880,
and reaped success i'll 1854 by
means of their candidate and
civil service platform. By following
the history of lhe Democratic party
for the past quarter of century it
will be seen that it has never come be-
fore the people on distinctive policy.
In every instance it has resorted to
expedients to catch the unthinking
masses. At one time declaimlng that |
the war was failure, and at the
same time taking The leading general
as its standard bearer; at another
time, taking the man who had ma
ligned the party moro than any one,
for the simple reason of attempting
to catch votes. And again, when the
pressure of war times bore heavily on
the people, as it must necessarily, to
go before the country on arepudiation
platform. Then again the empty cry
IF '.'refo-m" in 1876, aud the same in
1880 and 1884. In 1888 civil service
'eform, and the party elected man
Who belied every element of the
doctrine. Compare this record with
hat of the Republican part from it's
inception to the PRESENT time, and no
lonest patriot can take moment to
rriye at conclusion regarding his
preference. In 1856, the old party
anne into existence, pledged to the
of the union and tie
institutional rights of all portions of
he country, and how well it has per-
ormed its mission is matter of his
ory. Never deviating from princi-
les which underlie free government,
has never equivocated in anything.
through the terrible ordeal of civil
var, it stood steadfast to its primary
doctrines. 1t has never been a party
f men or expedients, but one of ]
principles and craftsmanship 1t /
aved the nation during the terri {
lie ordeal of civil war, and !
7hen peace was declared, it f
reserved the honor of the coun- t
ry by, steadfastly adhering to the t
rinciples of integrity and honesty. e
n these ater years, when Democrats C
re attempting to throw down the bull il
'arks of the protective policy to ad- I
lit the product of European pauper il
.bor, the old party is still national t
nd stand as solid wall against An I
and free. traders. The t
'rty is founded on principles as last p
g as the government, and it makes q
tile difference who leads it to victory g
lring presidential campaign. L
! e