Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-08-26
What is the Difference 2

on kItdO NoNO7 VI PNPN
there is large number of voters of loose
PARTISAN affiliations who assert that prac-
ticallv there is no real difference between
the two great parties. The war is OYER
they say; specie payments have been re-
sumed the "bloody chasm" has been
filled up. and really the only question at
issue is that between the Ems" and the
"outs." In other words, to them the only
issue that presents itself is, Who shall
have the offices for the next four years.
For the benefit of such persons and OF
those to whom their remarks to this effect
NAV be addressed we beg leave to submit
few suggestions.
A perusal Of the platforms of the two
parties shows some points of difference
between them at first glance. The Re
publican platform declares that the pro
tective system has been blessing to the
country aud should be maintained the
Democratic platform declares that all pro
tective tariff duties are unconstitutional
and pledges the party to the immediate
unconditional repeal of such duties. Here
indeed is a radical difference between the
two great parties, and one that affects
every workshop and every home IN the
countrv. Every man who believes that
the tariff is a curse, that it enhances the
price of living without raising wages ana
that the country would be more prosper
ons nnder tariff for revenue only SD ould
vore the Democratic ticket. On the other
hand. every man who believes that pro-
lection is a good thing for American IN
dnstrIes and American wOrkmen, that II
fosters home production, keeps up wages
and enables Americans to live better and
to develop their own industries instead OF
depending upon foreign supplies should
vote the Republican ticket
Every worklngman who sees that an
abolition of protective duties would com
pel his employers to lower wages to the
British standard-about one-half OF what
thew now are-or else close up his works
entirely every farmer who finds in the
factories and workshops bis best home
market, and whom the tariff on wool, OF
barley, or eggs, or potatoes, protects from
the ruinous competition OF his Canadian
rival; every salarled man who does moi
wish his standard of wages and of living
to he brought down to that of the British
salaried man in a similar position should
vote the Republican ticket.
Again the Democratic platform calls FOL
the abolition Of the 10 per cent. tax on
State banks. which alone makes oui
national banking system rest on a stable
foundation, while the Republican party
upholds our system of national banks
Every one tn erefore who favOTs return
to the system of banking that prevailed
in this country halt a century ago, when
money that was good in one State was
bad in another, when a different rate OF
discount had to be maintained for the
bills of every bank, and no man could tell
whether the money he was offered was
worth its face value or nOt-eyery man,
we say, who favors a return to this state
OF affairs should vote the Democratic
ticket. On the contrary, every man VINO
believes that that old system of state
banks was wrong, aud destructive of conf
dence in business, should vote the Re-
publican ticket.
Still further, the Republican party, by
its action in the past and its declarations ID
the present, insists that the provisions OF
the Constitution of the United States, in
Guiding the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments, shall be enforced, and that
every citizen shall have the privilege at
every election of casting one ballot and
of having that ballot counted as cast
The Democratic party, on the other hand'
asserts that this Republican demand is
monstrous wrong, which would lead, IN
certain parts of the country, to the
domination of the ignorant and depraved
classes of the community, and declares
that. so far as the So1th is concerned,
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments to the Constitution are and shall
remain imperative. The two positions
are as far apart as the poles. They are
irreconcilable. Voters must choose
whether they will occupy the one or
the other, according to their views OF
night and justice.
No man who believes that ballot boxes
should not be stuffed, that votes should
not be counted falsely, that citizens should
not be kept away from the polls by
violence and intimidation, in any part OF
the Republic, can consistently and hon
estly vote the Democratic ticket.
Here are three questions, then, not to
mention any others. upon which the two
great parties stand in diametrIcal
neutrality-suspicious. of moral and legal
right, OF expediency and policy. How
any one can say who examines the matter
with any thought or any care that there
is no real difference in principle and
policy between the two parties we are
unable to see.
Still further, aside from these questions,
it is to be decided which party, upon the
whole, is the better administrator of the
country's affairs. Which Congress, the
or the Fifty-secOnd-the Re-
publican or The Democratic-has proved
itself more efficient, more patriotic, wiser,
more worthy of popular Endorsement =
Which administration, Mr.. Cleveland's
or Mr.. HarrisOn's, has conducted the at
fairs of the country better and more
wisely, has upheld more firmly the dig
nifty and honor of the nation abroad.
has administered its internal affairs more
discreetly and progressively :
All these matters, we submit, are worthy
Of consideration, and upon them we. as
ara wiling To suhmit TO the