The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-13
WHAT THE LEAGUE CONVENTION
MAY Do.

The convention of the Lincoln League,
which will be held in this city to-day. should
not fail TO improve the opportunity to give
the first expression Of Republican sentiment
in Indiana. If it merely arraigns the Dem
ocratic party in sounding and vehement cpl
caslon. Everybody, even most Democrats,
know how r1iserably the Democratic party
has failed. that it is on the wrong side of
all questions. and is the same reactionary
party now that it was during the war. and
that IFS conduct in power is vicious because
the leaders are, for the most part, merce-
nary. Republicans have been reiterating
these facts for years. All the difference be-
tween the present time and the past is that
In power the democratic party has proved
itself more harmful to the interests of the
country and more malignant and merce-
nary than the Republican press and plat
form lave accused it of being. But the Re-
publican party of Indiana should not con-
tent itself with assailing the Democracy,
leaving ~ W NC ullcIIcu ludl ItpuDlkCdH
ascendency is desirable because it would
be impossible for it to be as vicious and
prodigal as the present Democratic regime.
In brief, clear sentences. the Republicans
in the Lincoln League convention should
declare a positive purpose, particularly in
regard to State affairs. This point is so well
put by Hon. j. II. Claypool, In a communi-
cation in yesterdays Journal. regarding the
platform Of the State convention, that it
will bear repetition:
1t will not be sufficient for us as a party
to simply arraiSn the Democratic party in
our State platform for all the evils of the
times in general and in particular, but we
should point out the particular abuses that
exist here in Indiana as a result OF Demo-
cratic rule and name the remedy Tor them.
The people should know in advance just
what the Republican party in Indiana would
do II returned to power. The intelligence of
the people demands to know what a party
propose TO do If placed in power, and de-
mands to know that party pledges will be
faithfully kept. The platform should be
brief, but it should not fail to specify the
/ reforms that the Republican party propose
TO give the people OF Indiana in return for
their confidence in the way of reducing the
burden of taxation. 1t will not be suffi-
cient, as some seem to think, simply to ar
raign Green Smith for his pecuiations in
ONCE under cOiOr OF aW, but the people
must have good assurance that if his sue
cessor Is a Republican the like cannot oc-
cur again.
The mass of Republican voters and a large
numbe of voters who are weary of the
present regime will most cordially approve
the foregoing suggestion, and the Repub-
lican party, as the progressive political or
ganization of the country, will not be true
to it's mission unless 1t makes distinct
pledges of reform with every accusation it
brings in it's platform. The Lincoln League
convention will render the party a timely
service if, in ITS resolutions, it pledges the
Jealous cooperation Of all its branches to
make reform of the State government a
prominent issue. 1t Is not enough to de-
nounce the McHugh Legislature; pledge
must be made 10 nominate better men than
controlled that body, and to pledge them,
when nominated. 10 labor to bring about
specific reforms.