The Iola register., 1891-01-30
PARTY SIMILARITY.
rhs Difference Between Republican and
Democratic Principles.

that there is but little difference in
the two great political parties of this
country to-day. In fact, some would
be authorities affirm that virtually the
only line of demarkation consists in
the slight difference of views on the
negro question and the tariff problem.
And then they GO on to assert that so
far as the negro problem is concerned,
Northerners would soon entertain
Southern views relative to it were they
to exchange localities and interests.
As well might the barbarian, the
Scythian and the Jew claim the same.
If men were not governed in all
their actions by fixed principles, an ap-
probation of right and justice, it would
be possible for them to be al things to
all men-to do as Romans do when
they are among Romans, etc Under
certain changed conditions the pure
might become impure, the Christian
might become ranting infidel and the
loveliest character in the world by un-
fortunate association might become so
hideously deformed as not to be reeog-
nized by former admirers But to come
back to partieJ. If the prominent
features of the Republican and Demo
cratic parties are SO near alike as to
make them almost twins, as so many
of the leading apostles of Democracy
would have the country believe,
how does it happen? What has
brought about such transforma-
ton? The veriest child who has
read history knows that the Demo
cratic party was the champion OF
slavery and its Southern masters in
augurated bloody rebellion in the
effort to make slavery the chief corner
stone of a new Corfederacy: What
thwarted them in the attempt? Their
own convictions? We're they willing to
cOncede that il was morally and re-
ligiously wrong to hold slaves, or that
they were not justified in taking up
arms and mastering and marshaling
their armies to destroy the Govern
ment? Do their leading spirits to-day
concede any such thing? On the con-
trary are not the men who stand high
est in the estimation of Southern peo-
pie at this moment. those who declare
they were justified in taking up arms,
and that they would do so again, under
similar circumstances? Is it any
argument to say-''Oh! but you would
have believed and acted as we did,
had you been in our plaees?'
When the war was over and the
great struggle for reconstruction came
when something had to be done 10
secure honorable recognition of the
race Abraham Lincoln had declared
free, is it any credit to Democracy that
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments to the constitution were adopted?
And now, when the right of suffrage
conferred by the constitution of the
United States is being denied them
virtually throughout the South, and
in Mississippi by enactments OF q
State convention of Democrats
can honorable men of the North, some
of whom have indicated recently will
ingness to enter the ranks of Democ
racy. say: 'sOh, if we were resident!
of Mississippi we would do as the white
men there have done?" What is ther'
in the present attitude of the Demo
cratic party toward the negro that re
sembles in the remotest degree the prin
! ciples and practices of the Republican
| party in his behalf? Or what has tina
party ever done for this unfortunat,
race that any one of them, in any sec
! ton of the country, should seek shelte1
and protection under its banner, or tina
should induce a single white man any
where who processes good feeling anc
sympathy for the oppressed and down
| trOdden of all nations to give it support
Is there only slight difference in thu
bearing and principles of the two grea
parties toward the negro to-day?
And then, in relation to the financia
struggle during that war for Nationa
existence, where every heroic and pa
triotic impulse should have leaned to
wards efforts to sustain, arm, feed and
clothe the men in the field; was there
any thing in Democratic action in Con
gress or out of il that any loyal mai
could commend? Who pronounced tn,
war failure? Who endeayored to in
cite insurrection in the North agains
the authority of Mr.. Lincoln il
| calling for volunteers and after
wards in filling up the depict
ed ranks of the soldiers by drafts
Republicans aided the Government il
nearly solid column, while Demo
Gratis, in nearly as solid phalanx
aided their Southern brethren t.
accomplish their purpose by voting
against raising dollar to carry on the
war. And when, in spite of Democratic
efforts to destroy the Government, the
| last armed rebel had surrendered anC
the South was permitted representation
| in the National Legislature, this same
| Democratic party, which in the failing
sight of some men so closely resemble:
the Republican party, commenced it
opposition to any legislation that looked
| like paying the bills of the unholy re
bellion its own madness had brought
! on. Joined by the Southern branch
its united membership advocated anC
voted for repudiating National obliga
tons In other words, it tried to ac
complish by legislation what it haG
failed to accomplish by the sword. And
from that time to the present, member:
of that party have opposed every meas
ure that has been proposed to sustain
and broaden our National credit a
home and abroad. Has there ever beer
is there to-day-any thing in the
Democratic party, financially speaking
that should lead even the wayfarinf
man, though a fool, to mistake it fol
the Republican party? Talk abou
prosperity, good prices for farm prod
ucts, good wages for the laborins
man, etc, can any reasonable mar
| fail to see where il has all CONS