The herald., 1896-08-07
A REPUBLICANS EDITORIAL

A recent accession TO the Democratic
ranks from the Republican party sub
mits to The Herald an editorial express
sion of his present sentiments. While
we cannot adopt the entire text of this
editorial without qualification, we APP
pend it in full as showing how much la
tent Democracy old-time Republicans
have carried about under their party
hats.
The student of political history who
casts a retrospective glance at the rise
and fall of the many parties that have
figured prominently in the affairs of this
nation cannot fail to be impressed with
the truth Of the axiom. History repeats
itself" Without referring in detail to
the many momentous issues which have
given birth to new parties i'll some m
stances and in others have formed COM
binatons of existing ones. it behooVes
everyone who loves this great ana grow
ing republic to carefully investigate the
present conditions in the light of the
past history of our country. and serious
ly inquire. What of the future?
That momentous issues are now pend
ing. the settlement of which involves
careful guidance of the ship of state.
even the most casual observer Will ad-
nit. The Republican party. born at a
most critical time in the nation 5 history,
the offspring of the old Wing and more
recent Aboitionist party has fulfilled
its mission The Democratic party has
lived through many trials and
vicissitudes like unto that or
the proverbial cat. oft sup
posed to be dead. but still bobbing up
serenely. alive and vigorous. notwith-
standing the frequent and persistent at
tempts to crush the life out of 1t. Surely
this must indicate that the old party of
Jeffersonian and Jacksonian principles
has yet mission to perform. Viewed
in the light of recent events, the Dem
ocratic party has not only taken new
and active lease of life, but II has leaped
to the front as the dominant political
party of the United States accomplish
ing a coup d'etat unknown in Its history
and undreamed of by its most sanguine
adherentS six weeks ago. 1t is true that
the structure was seriously endangered
while the work of reconstruction was
in progress; but. although shaken to its
very foundations, and many of the tim
hers in the building. metaphoricaliy
speaking. We're discarded. and more sub
stantial ones inserted in their place the
historic structure is now stronger and
more attractive than ever.
That the Democratic party has made
many and serious mistakes cannot be
denied. but that is the record of every
political party. and VIGOROUSLY that of
the Republican party, which has through
class legislation, for instance. enabled
individuals and corporations TO amass
unprecedented wealth and power. and
at whose behest the party is now seek
ing to force upon the American people
gold standard, which, if adopted. would
endanger the very existence of the re-
public.
President Garfield said that he had
faith in the intelligence, virtue and pat
riotism of the American people, where
by they will safely overcome the most
serious dangers that may beset the ma
ton. The reconstructed Democratic
party. purified. strengthened and ener-
giZed by the recent struggle in Chicago.
has once more become the party of the
people. and. to its credit be it said, has
adopted many of the best planks in the
platform of the Populist party.
| With a standard bearer who is earnest,
| courageous and untiring in his devo-
ton to the cause of the people, who has
proven himself an inVeterate foe to those
| who seek to undermine and eventually
destroy our Republican government, the
| Democratic party enters the battlefield
of this campaign with every assurance
| of a glorious victory.