Year: 1872

Liberia Republicans.


A careful perusal of current politi-
cal literature furnished by the Liberal
Republican and Democratic journals
must convince every candid reader that
they are attempting to practice gigan-
tic fraud on the people. We have
been inspired by the belief that there
is marked difference between the
Republican and Democratic parties,
difference of principles inducing diff
ference in measures affecting the per-
manent welfare Of the nation. We have
been honest in the conviction that the
principles and policy of the Republi-
can party were sound and just and wise,
and have given our opponents credit
for equal candor in the expression of
the belief that the adoption of their
pcinciples and theory Of government
would best promote the public welfare.


In the pending Presidential canvass
we witness patent effort on the part
of the enemies of the Republican par
ty to cover up or to obscure these dis
tinctions, and to convince the people
that there is no longer any practical
difference between the two great par
ties, and consequently Republicans
can vote for Democratic nominees, and
Democrats for Republican candidates,
without sacrifice Of either principle
or consistency; that the Presidential
race is only a contest between the
friends Of two REPUBLICAN CANDI-
DATES for the Chief Executive Office.


1t may be well to examine this hy-
pothesis for the purpose Of testing its
truthfulness.


All will admit that there aUas at one
time marked difference between the
two parties a difference that was be-
lieved to be fundamental. If there is
no,o no such existing difference when
did it disappear? Not under the admin
istration Of James Buchanan, Abra-
ham Lincoln, or Andrew johnson. Dur
ing these twelve years the party war
fare was earnest, constant. and some
times virulent. All leading measures
Of Mr.. Buchanan's administration
were sustained by the Democracy and
denounced by the Republicans all
the leading measures Of Mr. Lincoln's
administration were sustained by the
Republican party and denounced by
the Democratic party; and after Mr..
Johnson's atiiliation with the Democra-
cy and his denuncation of Republi-
can Congress, the Democratic party
sustained the views of the President
and the Republican party the views
and measures adopted by Congress.
And for three years and more of the
administration of President Grant the
political warfare was continued. In
fact, this strife between the two great
parties was not abated in the country
up 10 the closing hours of the last
session Of Congress. 1t is clear that
this party difference continued with
out abatement from the summer of
1894 to the summer of 1872, q period
of eighteen years. 1t was supposed to
grow out Of an honest difference of
opinion on important principles con-
trolling legislation and administration.
Was this all sham--a mere pretense
Were the leading statesmen of either
side only hypocrites of heroic PROPOSE.
tions? But if not, if they were candid
and honest in their professions, when
and how was this apparent radical diff
ference between the two parties termi-
mated e? How did this conflict of prin-
ciple disappear?


DID CONVERSION OF EITHER PARTY


OCCUR AT CINCINNATI.


Did this difference disappear at Gin
cinnati? And if SO, in what way was
it manifested? Certainly not by the
conversion Of the Democratic party at
that time and place, for they had no
authorized representatives in that con-
vention. And the Republican party
was not converted to the Democratic
faith at that time and place, for their
masses had no authorized representa-
tives in attendance. 1t was composed
of a few hundred Of selfappointed
gentlemen who had personal griev-
ances to redress.


But admitting all that they claimed |
for themselves, that they were reliable
representatives Of the Republican par
ty, does not relieve the advocates Of !
conversion from embarrassment, for |
the convention was called as a Repub-
lican convention, for the purpose of
adopting Republican platform, and |
nominating Republican candidates for
President and Vice President. And |
they still insist that they abandoned |
not one iota of principle. And their
candidate for the Presidency still !
claims that he is as much Republi-
can as he ever was; and his Liberal |
Republican supporters all insist that
he is Republican of the first water,
and exhort all Republicans to vote
for him instead Of General Grant, on
I IVA rgrnnnI that ho - , bot4,, ~