Year: 1879

4 kENitM Of DtMOtkAIit toM-


MENT On THE COALITION.


uaw % strikes "A - National" who


ssn't "a Democrat Vet.


Mr. George willard on the Battle Greek journal.


II any one has any doubt OF the pur-
pose OF the Democracy in their investi-
CATION and support OF the Lansing
coalition, he has but 10 look at the
tone of the Democratic press of the
State. The purpose has clearly no ref
erence whatever TO the currency, or to
any other financial question. but is
simply continuance nf the old war
fare which under every form, pretext
and disgnise they have waged against
Republoanism for the last twenty
years. The old cry that was made dur
ing the war, and which has been kept
up every since, is the chief and almost
the sole signal for the rally OF the
Democratic brigade, and we are sorry
to observe that the same cry is becom-
ing the principal one in the mouth OF
their new allies. The motto OF the
coalition is, Anything to beat the Re
publicans, and is no more than the
people had reason to expect from Mr.
Fields proclamation practically invit-
ing the Lansing conference, on the
ground Of union for the express pnr-
pose OF overthrowing Republican mis-
rule" Such motto had very natur-
ally delightful sound in the ears OF
every Bourbon Democrat, and would
make a platform which might be sup
posed to suit JEFF. Davis himself.


Accordingly, the Democratic news
papers throughout Michigan are now
busily engaged in carrying out the new
programme, as they understand it,
They accept the coalition platform, not
for what il says on the currency ques-
tion, but for what ii implies against
that party, which, in the face OF Dem
ocrstic remoustrance, put down the re-
bellion, and which, against the same
remonstrance, now proposes 10 keep
the eI-rebel from a restoration to
supreme and unrestricted power. The
Democratic press and politicians in re-
ality have come to the conclusion that
the currency question after all is only
"minor difference" an irrelevant is
sue," and therefore they have little
care what the platform says on that
subject. In keeping With this view the
lonia Standard, one of the ablest Dem
ocratic papers of the interior, says:


"The essence OF the approaching
campaign is the overthrow OF that
party which has so long controlled
State affairs. Let no Democrat
then disparage the present coalition,
which seeks TO accomplish the defeat
OF Republicanism. The essence Of the
campaign in 1880 will be the antagon.
ism Of Grantism. No friend OF honesty
and reform ought to-day TO frown up
on n movement which promises to
cement all the opposition elements in
a grand. united march against Federal
despotism and Capitalization. It is
good time now TO smother minor differ
ences. Any captions wrangling over
irrelevant issues is calculated simply
to prevent union aud concentration to
effort"


The Standard has been one OF the
hard mouey Democratic papers OF the
State, and has steadily fought on that
side of the currency issue, but now
evidently considers that TO be "minor"
and Irrelevant" in view OF the oppor-
tunity offered 10 strike the Republican
party. The Kalamazoo Gazette also,
which overtlOwed with denunciation OF
the Nationals, now says;


"The money question will in the end
work itself out on correct financial
principles, but in the meantime the
people cannot afford to split hairs.
divide mp, and fritter away their
strength when their country ls being
tied hand and foot by political dema-
gouges like Chandler, Logan Carpen.
ter, and the Camerons. All
minor differences should be sunk for
the time in one grand effort on the
part Of the people to get the Repubh-
can party out of power. The
question now is, What is best to be
done for the future? The majority of
the people will agree that the great and
paramount need Of the hour is TO turn
the Republican party out OF power.


This same sentiment in regard to. the
result OF the coalition, is echoed by
that portion OF the Democratic press
winch represents the soft money wing
OF the party. The Grand Rapids DEM
ocrat, the leading journal of this sort,
makes an appeal TO all Democrats to
work for the triumph of the coalition
ticket, on the following plea, which it
will be seen is not unlike that Of its fell
low partisans:


The action at Lansing will have
great effect in shaping the policy of
other State conventions this spring,
and will do much towards uniting the
elements OF opposition all over the
country.


The Detroit Free Press wheels into
line and talks in the same strain. The
grand aim is TO secure "the moral ef-
feet OF victory this year for use in the
great contest of 1880" This is what
Don NJ. Dickinson, Late chairman
Of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee, stated TO he the object Of the
present coalition and the meaning OF
the present fight.


Those who prefer the Republican
party 10 the Democratic, therefore,
stultiiy themselves, this spring, II they
support ticket which is put forward
for the mere purpose OF consolidating
ali the elements of opposition to Re
publicanIsm and turning il over en-
masse to the Democracy. The leaders
of the coalition at Lansing, as well as
the leaders in our own county and city.
are too intelligent to be unaware OF
this intention, aud the result which II
will inevitably accomplish. The course
OF the combination is everywhere the
same; first, independent cooperation;
second, coalition; third complete alb
sorption in the Democratic ranks. That
was the order OF events in the engulf-
ment OF the Liberals, aud il is finding
and 1t is finding almost exact repeti
ton in the union now undertaken. The
Democratic sachem know what they
are about.