Year: 1876




gives just assurance of that high order
of ability which should characterize
those who are to preside over the des-
TIMES of mighty nation. Party feel
ing, when INDUCED to an improper ex-
tent, has had much to do with the evils
which the light of experience shows us
are prone to creep into all departments
Of public service. 1t is an axiom of
law that for every wrong there is
remedy, and what applies to other cas-
es should, with equal certainty, apply
to a public grievance. The remedy for
the misrule of treason which marked
the last days of Democratic power in
the nation, lay in the patriotism of the
people. And the remedy for the evil of
mismanagement which if we are to
take the arraignment Of the Republi-
can party in the Democratic platform
as founded on truth, lies, not in re-
turn to Democratic rule, which is the
essence Of all corruption, but in the
intelligence and patriotism Of the Re-
publican masses.


The Republican party was called in
to national lifo as the champion of lib
erty and human rights. In the first
few years Of its existence, its elements
were composed, in the main. of those
who had been Wings and such Demo-
Gratis as were disgustcd with the con-
slant trucking Of their party to the be-
hests of the slave power. With the re-
bellion it gained fresh accession of
strength from the best elements of Dem
ocracy. That it has not the same rel
ative strength that it possessed few
years ago, is due almost solely to the
fact that the party in power is justly
held responsible for all measures of
doubtful justice, and all failures to faith
fully execute the laws. 1t is matter
beyond question that but few laws of
IL general nature can be put in force
that will bear equally upon all classes
and all sections; it is matter beyond





dispute that in an immense army Of
Office holders, some will be found un-
faithful to their trust. These reasons
weaken the Republican party as any party
would be weakened. For the first reason
it loses strength among the ignorant
and easily prejudced of its mem bers;
for the second reason it loses those
who are the friends Of good government
and righteous administration Of the law.
1t can hardly hope TO secure the return
Of The first class, but the others can on
ly be regained by such assurances of a
return to the original purity of the par
ty ms they can feel certain will be re-
allied. Here is where the Republicans
enter upon the campaign of the Cen
tonnial year with IA great advantage
over their opponents. The people do
not require to be told that Democratic
promises are net to be relied on-that
their first use of power will be to abuse it.
OF that truth they have had ample de-
monstration since the House of Repre-
sentatives passed into the control of the
Confederate Brigadiers. Ii ever a party
had reason to regret partial triumph,
the Democratic party have cause to re-
gret the 4" tidal wave," (as it was some
what grandloquently described) of 1874.
By it the Democrats obtained control of
one branch Of the National Legislature.
and the only use they have made Of that
control is to try and manufacture politi-
cal capital for themselves. In the pur-
suit Of this aim the most necessary legis
lation has been delayed; the wheels of
government blocked; the strength of the
army reduced at n moment when i: should
be most effective; the representation of
the nation at the courts OF foreign powers
threatened with disgrace and withdrawal.
If such be the result Of partial Demo-
cratic control in one branch OF the gov
erEment, what ought we to expect if that
control is permitted to extend TO every
branch?


The Democrats appear TO have lost
sight of the fact that the so-called "tidal
wave of 1874 was not a Democratic tri-
umph, but simply n Republican reverse.
The Independent Republicans permitted
this, not that they had gained confidence
in Democracy, but that they were willing
to rebuke that portion Of their own party
which seemed to think that the party
could not be beaten. And that the les
son has not been without effect the nom
inees and platform Of the Cincinnati
Convention is sufficient answer.
Reasoning men, who are not blindly
led by party or sectional feeling, can have
no hesitation in making choice which of
the two parties asking their support, is
the one to whom it should be piven.-
Platforms are meaningless unless the
nominees who stand upon them can be
relied upon to carry the principles into
action. The Cincinnati platform and
nominees must be alike acceptable to in
telligent and unprejudiced voters. When
they receive the unqualified endorsement
of such men as George Williams Curtis,
Carl Schurz, WIN. NJ. Evarts and others
whom we might name who stand high as
liberal political thinkers, it logically fol- |
lows that both are without reproach. The
action of such men as we have named |
show, and the reasons which have in.
fuenced their action, should show all |
friends of good government and progress
sive needful legislation under which ban
ner they should range themselves for the
Centennial campaign.


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