Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-10-31
LEFT THE G. O. p.

i.kpublican, writes a communication
VI the Detroit Free Press, giving his
reasons for deserving the Republican
party, in the following forcible Ian
guage:
With view to influencing some
young men to decide their politics not
by social Affections, but upon scien-
tific and patriotic principles, the writ
err wishes to present some reasons
why he feels it his duty to supports
the Democratic rather than the Re-
publican party. He may not expect
to influence any like the old parishon-
er who, when in behalf of uniformity
his pastor asked him whether he pre-
ferred to keep Saturday night sacred
or Sunday night, replied: "Well, |
am not strenuous, but | have always
kept SATURDAY. night, and always
shall" 1t is hard for people to sew.
er ties under which they have grown
up. 1t is not easy to break an idol.
But many there have been who. I'M
der the blind persistence Of their par
y. in a wrong policy, have been forced
Nbreak the ties. The writer, born a
Wing, raised Republican, by en-
hstment and service of three years a
soldier. has seen with regret his party
led astray by false doctrines.
An auti.slavery platform alone was
the birthright of the Republican par
ty. In It's first campaign, that of
1886, it became most aggressive, gath
cred into its folds the northern Wings.
many Democrats, the Free Sellers
and Abolitionists. 1t had, as history
proved, Il mission to perform, and it
commanded the zeal Of most heroic
standard bearers, as does ever a high
moral aim. 1t was comprised mostly
Of the people Of the manufacturing
states. The industry of the slave
states was almost wholly that Of agri-
culture. 1t was natural that the
Republican party should in its second
campaign adopt the protective idea Of
IA tariff as opposed to the free trade
policy which was to the interest of the
slave states. Little ac-
count, however, was paid to that
plank, for the slavery question alb
sorbed the entire attention Of the
people. Upon the election of Lincoln
and the following declaration of seces-
sion by the southern states the Re-
publican party became the guardians
and preservers of the union. The
cause was glorious. the results humane
bud benefcent even in advance of the
h5pes of its adherents in the inception
of its life. The expense Of the pend
ing war demanded an increase of rev.
enue and the tariff schedule was raised,
taxes being also levied by a stamp
system upon some of the industries
aud articles of the country. The un-
friendlyness to the north Of the Eng
Iish, especially the trades people, to-
gether with the action Of France in
meddling with Mexico while our
country was distracted with war,
gave cause for the growth Of the pro- {
lective policy by an appeal to the
patriotism of the people to become
Of other nations. But
with peace once more installed within
pur borders and with the return of the
people to peaceful vocations, the pol
cy of traders rather than the coun- {
RVS needs soon became the cause Of {
appeal for protective tariff. Under
he gard of patriotism, selfish inter-
,sts gained the control of the policy S
If the Republican party. From a {
highly moral platform it descended to l
| mercenary one, and that in behalf {
If one class of citizens against another |
Ind much more numerous class. I'M
Ter the plea of supporting "infant in {
lustries, ""giving high wages" "build- c
ng up consumers for our own nation S
ii products" the rank and file were !
lept in line. Its argumentative APP G
,eals soon lapsed to TRADES of abuse {
md sarcasm, its craftsmanship to dem 7
lgogism. Its Lincoln, Summer, Chase,
seward, Grant, refrigerated to Blaine, I