Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-10-27

prucTpTe OF equal -pontical rights
throughout the Union. The Democratic
party not only repudiated the doctrine
when its representatives in congress
voted against the constitutional amend
ments at the close Of the war, but in its
political practice it has continually fol-
lowed the worst traditions Of slavery in
fomenting race prejudice and establish
ing minority rule.
The Republican party throughout its
history has been fighting the battle Of
free labor. Ia Che beginning It was
popular agitation to prevent the exten-
sion Of slavery 10 the territories, and
subsequently it was a terrible battle
with slave owa=Es rebellion. but IN
the end it has been a prolonged cam
paign in the interest Of American labor
menaced with destructive and degrad-
ing competition from the labor Of less
prosperous and enlightened European
states.
Since the first election Of Lincoln TO-
600, 900 aliens have found homes and
workshops in America, yet notwith-
standing this immense addition to the
working force Of the nation there has
been a gain Of nearly 50 per cent in the
average rate Of wages. That result
could never have been accomplished
without Republican legislation for in
ternal Improvements and the operation
Of the homestead laws, and above all
without systematic protection Of Ameri-
can labor employed in home Industries.
For this comprehensive national policy,
which has not only converted the older
eastern states into hives Of manufactnr-
ing and filed the wild reaches Of the
west with the pulsating beat and throb
Of industrial energy and American en-
terpriso, but has also created the new
south, with its boundless resources,
credit is wholly 10 be given to the Re
publican party.
The Democratic party has never lost
the impress of the domination Of the
slave power. A low tariff and free trade
We're the economic doctrines Of the
southern planters and were embodied III
the Confederate constitution. The Demo
cratic party has remained loyal to these
malign traditions. It's first and only
president since Buchanan's election on a
platform of progressive free trade lost
no time in giving the signal for tariff
reform campaign, which, if successful.
would leave American industry and labor
without protection and support. The
party stands today fully committed not
only TO the low tariff cause to which both
Douglas and Breckenridge were pledged
by tho platforms Of $50, but also 10 the
extrayagant yagary of CaIhounsm that
protection is unconstitutional AS it was
the friend aud ally of slavery, so also it
Is the HrecOncilable foe of free labor.
The history Of the two rival parties
since Lincon's first election offers a
startling contrast between survivals of
the worst and the best traditions. Equal
ity Of rights and sympathy for the mass
Of the common people We're the leading
principles Of Jefferson. A latter day
Democracy stands in the south for un-
equal rights and minority conspiracies
and throughout the Union for tariff
policy by which American labor will be
degraded to the European level. Jack
sons great strength lay in Bis intense
devotion to the principle of nationality
and IN his adherence Of sectionalism,
A latter day Democracy, by the revival
of the constitutional quibbling Of Cal
hounism and by its persistent hostility
to national policies. has repudiated his
principles. What has been best in the
tendencies IF history has fallen into in
nocuous desuetade. What has been worst
i'll the theories and practice Of its slave
owning and sectional leaders is tena-
ciously preserved.