The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-04
FUTURE or NATIONAL rARTIEs.

With the astonishing strides which conf
dence and good will have recently made IN
the general political and economic relations
of the North and the South, the question
may well be asked VIII the Republican
party survive for any length OF time as an
active and aggressive organizations For
many wears its existence has undoubtedly
largely depended upon the hostile and pre-
iudiced attitude of a section OF Northern
opinion towards the States which seeded
from the Union, but this attitude has been
so substantially modified that II can no
longer give comfort and support TO the Re
publican party.
To what must this party now look for the
prolongation Of its lifeY 1t has failed To
establish returning boarG system in every
part Of the South that will count in a ma
jority OF Republican congressman and Re
publican presidential electors at any cost
The extreme poiut to which the protective
principle has been carried in che Mckinney
bill is certain TO injure permanently the
party with which that measure originated
II would seem, therefore, that nothing e.
mains upon which the present Republican
organization can rely in the hope Of retain
ing tue power and influence which II now
has, but only for time.
While all the indications point to the as
surel defeat Of the Republicans at the next
National election, and probably for long
series OF elections TO follow, nevertheless
there are reasons for thinking that the party
will not disappear for good. That party
represents the principle in the operation OF
our general social and economic life when
is antagonistic to the principle OF pure
Democracy. As long as there are well de-
fined classes in our American communities;
M long as there are laws upon our statute
books which favor certain Of these classes,
80 long will party be found in this country
resembling the Republican party. whether
s,ui designated as Republican or not.
The Republican and Democratic parties
in their cardinal principles 20 down to Tue
very foundation OF cur general American
life. These principles reryade the "ho'e
framework OF our government ana society
Tho an,agonism between them began IN the
ag,- If Jefferson and Hamilton, aud has
continued down through all theSucceeding
,er,ods of our national history. The pas
s,ons engendered by the war allowed the
Republican principle 10 reach without Sc
<,ous obstruction a degree OF development
wh,eh seemed TO foreshadow the total ruin
N the Democratic principle. As sectional
telling has declined, the Democratic priLci-
ple has been gradually restored to its former
s,rength and influence In our national life.
The long repression TO which this princi-
pie has been subjected promises to give It in
the reaction which is now 10 be observed,
a power which viii keep the Democratic
party in control OF the national destinies Tor
a practically indefinite time. This is
country OF the people, and the Democratic
party Is the party OF the people. Shut out
the influence OF sectional feeling and re-
move all ,iass legislation from the statute
books. and the people win govern instinct
lively through the agency Of the Democracy
q, long ~ party organization shall survive,
which il tantamount TO saying rs long as
the Government Of the United states shall
continue AZ IL Is.