Evening journal., 1890-11-14
NEWSPAPER OPINION.
An Historical Parallel.


On two or three previous occasions the
Courier-Journal has commented upon the
singular analogy between the present
position OF the Republican party and the
circumstances of the Federalists during
the closing years Of the administration
of John Adams when the Alien and Sedi
tion laws and the rising revolt against
aristocratic domination in politics had
brought them to the brink of defeat
that was to put an end to their existence
We made these re N Irks when the Fifty
fi st House chose to resolve itself into an
universal tyranny, and predicted that
the reckless use Of power would in this
instance prove as dangerous to its WELD |
ers IS 1t did to the Feceralists of the last |
century. IL seems that the events of /
few days since have proven the accuracy |
of the historical parallel.
Like the Republican party of to-day, |
| the Federalist cause had much to give 1t |
prestige, and was fortified with the
authority of many illustrious names. II
included nearly all the aristocracy and
great families OF the republic at that
time when birth and kinshiD counted for
more than what they do now, and 1t pos
sessed another element of strength which
the present Republican party lacks for
| 10 uhAAnnlCuA1 uhu a DlOHObul1 VI Nhp
cultured classes. Washington, with a
pure lame, which has scarcely parallel
/ in history, was a Federalist, and 50 was
| Hamilton, the organizer OF the Govern
ment, the greatest fnancler America ever
produced.
Yet with all these extraneous aids the
Federalists were soon completely crushed
| and they deserved their fate Borrow
ing no lessons from moderation, they
used the machinery Of the government
TO oppress their opponents, and their
politics degenerated into mere partisan
warfare. There was no longer any issue
that demanded their existance, and the
conceded ability and integrity Of the
President could not save them for the
Federalists who we're defeated by Jeffsr-
son were very different from the Federal
lists who ruled the country with Wash
ington.
Like the Federalists the Republicans
have had the great names of successful
war and consequent reorganization OF the
country to aid them. The sentimental
beliefs created by the decade between
1860 and 1870 have made their continued
existence possible, although the emer
gences which created the party long
since passed out of existence. With q
division up, high and low tariff, and no
other Influences entering into the contest,
the former could not stand for a moment,
but by adroitly playing upon prejudicss
and passions the Republicans have made
many a man vote for what he issppr0ved
in his heart Keeping alive the i'm
| pulses of a war movement the Re-
publicans managed to retain power,
and when it became evident that
such mask would not last much longer
they framed an infamous alliance with
the protected interests for mutual benefit.
and thns strengthened they triumphantly
seized every department of the National
Governm Mt at the Presidential elections
in 1888.
, Possessing absolute power, the Repub-
licans, like the Federaists, by strainiBl
/ their rights, endeavored to perpetual,
their rule and the structure tumbleC
upon their own heads. The Reed Con.
: gress can scarcely be matched in tn,
| history or parliamentary government 70
< violent assumption OF right, oppression
d OF the minority. reckless treatment o
the business interests OF the country. AM
the endeavor to change the spirit an,
= form OF Government. When the futur
i historian writes Of these times he will
. consider Reeds brief epoch one of th'
4 most singular and dangerous in tn,
D career Of this country, and after all
looking backward, 1t is not remarkable
that the storm Of popular indignation
Yves so tremendous
We sincerely believe that It would b.
:. Of vast benefit to all parts Of this countrl
I If the blow given the Republican part,
on Tuesday should prove fatal 1t woul,
be great thing for us all If il wer,
| 90 a.rte - bn
4 Dental election. as the success of Jeffer.
y son destroyed the Federalists Republi
Z eanism ia it's present form is too eaudv
! cloak for this country to wear. The Re
n publicansm of Reed, Lodge, and McKin.
ley is no more tie Republicanism of Lin
coin, Grant Sumner and Chase than tn
"a federalism Of 1900 was the Federalism o
4 Washlnton and Hamilton.
s The Republican party inficts evei
q more vital injuries than those which ar
a produced by its extraordinary legisla
% lion, for it exercises a most baneful in
tluence upon the intellectual and mora
movement of the country. It's interest
q lie IN division. II always seeks TO re
duce our ideas to the low level Of sec
"a tional hate, and appeals to what is wors
n in human nature. II forever stands ii
n the way OF a reunited country, en-,
4 while il cannot have war now it live
i upon its aftermath. It's food is the dr.
! bones it rakes from the grave Of
i troubled past
" We do not pray for the dissolution Q
q the Republican party, thinking that tn
N Democrats would then maintain ahsolut
"a power. We must either have a despot
ism or party government and We hRv
chosen the latter In time the Democrat
n would divide just as the Republicans
n after the death Of the Federalists, spill
q into Wings and Democrats, bat the ne'
Is parties would have new issues pertinen
! to the day. and the civil war and all it
4 attendant train Of evils would be foreve
2. banished to the pages Of historical O
" legendary narrative.
!, Falkland Lyoeum.
- Spe ial Correspondence EVENING JOURNAL
~ FAUIKLAND. Nov "A - rhe Faulklan,
ts ! Lycsum met and reorganizsd in tn
"a 4.