Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1886 — THE PARTY OF PROGRESS. [ARTICLE]

THE PARTY OF PROGRESS.

A Prominent Michigan Bepnblican Decides to Vote with the Tarty Which Fights for the In- * terests of To-day. > [From the Detroit Free Press.] Hon. Free Estee, of Mt. Pleasant, who served with marked ability in the last .Legislature as Representative from the district composed of the counties of Isabella and Clare, being elected on the Republican ticket, announces that he is through with the Republican party, whose issues are all of the past, and gives his reasons for voting for Hon. George L. Yaple and the fusion ticket in the following strong letter: To the Editor of the Detroit Free Press : I was bom a Republican. I was early taught to believe in the wisdom, the purity and the patriotism of the Republican party. ’ 1 still believe in the grand principle (human liberty) upon which that party was loundod, and from which it received its first inspiration. And I admire the lofty and noble motives of its early loaders—such men as Lincoln, Sumner, and Greeley, and the grand work they accomplished. And I believe that the success of the Republican party in 1860 was a splendid achievement for this nation, for it destroyed the power of a wealthy aristocracy which was determined to control the destmies of this nation for the special benefit of a class and to the detriment of the interest of the masses of the people. I believe that government exists for the benefit of all the governed. That what is best for the great masses of the people—what will secure the most peace, prosperity and happiness to the greatest number—is the true policy of a good government, wisely administered. That the special wants of a people are constantly changing—are usually not the same at any given time they were one, five, or ten years prior. That the present living issues are of present concern to the people, and not the issues which were settled five, ten, or twenty years ago. What may have been wise and necessary legislation twenty-five years ago, under a changed condition of circumstances at the present time may be positively injurious to the best interests of the majority of the people. The present important question is, What is best now? and not what was best five, ten or twenty-five pears ago. Matters or present moment are of present concern, and demand our present attention. A high tariff may have been necessary to enable the government to meet the expenses of a costly war, but twenty-one years after that war has closed, and the nation is at peace with the whole world, there is no sense in retaining the same high duties. lam convinced that a high tariff at the present time inures solely to the benefit of the capitalists who own and control the protected industries of the nation. And that the result is the centralization of a vast and constantly increasing wealth in the hands of a few persons, to the great detriment of the many—the establishment of a moneyed aristocracy, which now controls the Republican party, and is determined in its efforts to control the affairs of government. Even if a high protective tariff were once necessary or beneficial, it is not needed today, and but serves to enhance the profits of those already worth millions, and makes the rich richer—and by increasing too cost of the necessaries of life, makes the poor poorer. All the industries which this nation needs are to-day capable of supporting themselves by legitimate business upon a living baßis, and without the aid of any high protective tariff. Why is it that capital in its investments is protected, while labor is allowed to come to this country in vast hordes dutyfree? Are not the interests of labor —the wants and needs of the great masses of the people—of as much importance as the investments of capital ? I contend that the true interests of the masses of the people—their welfare anl prosperity—demand a thorough revision and reform of the present outrageous tariff, and a reduction of general taxation to the lowest possible limit consistent with the maintenance of those institutions of government necessary to the peace, the prosperity and the happiness of all the people. We want no more class legislation. No more building up of huge monopolies possessed with unlimited power to threaten the liberties of the people and endanger the existence of the Republic. I believe that the Republican party of to-day is not the party of freedom, of progress and progressive ideas that it was at its birth. Gradually sinco the war closed the aristocracy of the country has flocked to its support, until to-day it is chiefly controlled by rich corporations, gigantic monopolies, and selfish bosses, who care more for personal ends than the public good. By rehashing the buried past, an appeal to prejudice and a dodging of present issues they expect to deceive the people, and retain power. I believe that the Republican party to-day is at the rear, and not in the van of present progress. All tho concessions in favor of labor are reluctantly made, because money, aristocraoy, and bigotry control its policy and wield its destinies for selfish ends. Long exorcise of power by selfish men makes them selfconstituted bosses, and in their greed “tho greatest good to the greatest number" is forgotten. This is largely the trouble with the Republican party to-day. I had hoped that in the present campaign it would take an advanced stand upon living issues, and actuated by lofty and patriotic motives assert honest conviction in accord with the best interests of the people. But no! In its platform it straddles the temperance, tariff, convict labor, and other issues, with an evident desire to capture votes by assuming to please everybody and yet pleasing nobody who loves principles honestly maintained. I admire the party or the man that believes in principles, has the courage of conviction, and comes out honestly and squarely and maintains them. I aumire George L. Yaple for his frank and eloquent assertion of his honest convictions. Would there were more like him.

Let us elevate the condition of tho poor and the unfortunate. Let us elevate labor and do all that lies in our power to better the condition of the wage-workers—the toiling masses. Let us legislate for awhile in their interest and give the so-called “business interests” (which is a favorite expression, referring to wealthy magnates, gigantic monopolies, and rich corporations; a rest. A change in.the administration of the affairs of tho State will emphasize the necessity of political parties regarding the demands of the people—that others besides wealthy, aristocratic and selfish bosses have interests that must not be ignored, and that the love of liberty is stronger than party fealty. It will bo a victory in favor of the progressive idea of the present, a victory of the people over bossism and aristocratic misrule, a victory of pure motives and honest convictions over deception hypocrisy, bigotry, and abuse. I expect to receive much vilification and abuse at the hands of some of those whose party I now bid adieu because of -this statement of my honest convictions. But vilification and abuse can not destroy principles. That which iB true will live and prosper when those who malign the truth are forgotten. A grand march forward has commenced. Men will think, express their thoughts, and stand bv their convictions, independent of prior party affiliation. That which is right must and shall triumph. A past record is n.t sufficient—a good, present record is necessary to win. I believe that the success of the opposition to the P.epublican party in tho present State campaign will be best for the true interests of tho State and tho majority of its people. I have always afliliated with the Itepublican party in the past, but now I propose (and for the reasons above stated) to vote the ticket headed by the brave, honest and eloquent “Boy from Mendon.”

FREE ESTEE.