The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-18
OHIO.

The Republicans Of the country win re-
ceive with profound satisfaction the greet
ing which Ohio sends to them. The ring
ing declarations of the platform, and the
nominations, even more forcibly than the
platform, give assurance that neither Re-
publican principles nor Republican spirit
were shaken by the political storm OF last
November. There has been some reason
70 fear a want of the old-time courage. and
because of this fear the doings of yester-
day at Columbus are especially gratifying.
A short time ago ex-senator ingalls,,
cast down and demoralized by temper
airy reverse, counselled a trimming and
revising policy, in default of which he
gave warning of an impending Waterloo.
Some weeks previously Wolcott, of
Massachusetts,, who deserted Blaine and
supported Cleveland in 1884, assumed
leadership in a movement to reor-
ganize the party in the old Bay
State, recanting or evading some Of the
most distinctive of Republican principles
and policies. and making new departure
on shillyshally Mugwump lines. Here
and there, in the wake of these or abreast
of them have been professedly Republican
newspapers and speakers. of the faint
hearted and weak kneed sort, timidly sug-
costing surrender of the great principle of
free elections and modification of the
protective policy in conformity with
Democratic ideas.
The Ohio Republicans do not propose to
take one single backward step. They do
propose to fight it out on the old lines If
it takes lifetime. They recall that Lin
coin made no backward revision of his
views or policy on account of the first bat
tie of Bull Run. Grant never allowed the
camp-folIowers. or the skulkers, or the de-
serters, or 'the enemy in the rear" to set
the pace for his conquering legions.
They realize that the mission of the Re-
publican party is not yet fulfilled. Not
while there is great organization, en-
bracing the solid south and formidable
following elsewhere, ready and eager to
undo all that the Republican party has
accomplished. Not while the guar
antees of the constitutional amend
ments remain unfulfilIed mockeries
ON the face of the fundamental law. Not
while protection to American industry is
threatened and assailed. Not while a
great state like Mississippi has the will
and the power to amend its constitution
with the set purpose of discriminating
between Democrats and Republicans in
the exercise of the right of suffrage. Not
while state legislature, as in the recent
case in Florida, shall make the birthday
of Jefferson Davis legal holiday.
Republicans, in overwhelming majority,
will agree with their Ohio brethren that
the principle underlying the election bill
was not killed, nor will it be surrendered,
because Of the defeat of that measure by
the detection Of few Republicans in the
last Senate. All that was done or at
tempted by q majority of the Re
publicans in the last congress, in
that connection, or for the protection
of American industries and labor, or for
liberal pensions for the defenders and saw
Tors of the Union, was in pursuance of for.
mai pledges, by virtue of which the party
was intrusted with power, and the mission
of the party can only end with the &C
complishment or its desertion of those
principles.
"Stand by the old colors,"is the slogan
with which Mckinley and his undaunted
cohorts greet the Republicans of the ma
ton. In that sign or none the party will
conquer. Success achieved by repudia-
ton of measures to which the party ives
pledged, and the adoption or attempted
adoption of which were simply exhibitions
OF good faith. would be more inglorious
and disgraceful than dozen defeats. The
mere suggestion is treason to every sacred
tradition Of the party. Republicanism
moves forward and onward; never back
ward.