Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1873 — The Issues. [ARTICLE]

The Issues.

Governor Carpenter, of lowa, opened the political campaign in that State, at Cedar Rapids, on the 17tli. His speech was mainly devoted to local affairs, but tire following upon the issues between the two parties will prove interesting reading to Republican readers: When the Republican party came into power, on the 4th of March, 1861, tie avowed object was to limit slavery to the territory which it then occupied. It had made other pledges to the people, such as promising the passage of a homestead law, and to aid in the construction of a Pacific railway; but the vital question was the issne of slavery extension. We were told by the Democratic party that slavery could not he limited by Congressional interference, aud it such attempt was made it would result iu a dissolved Uuion. A majority of the people, however, could not be driven from their political convictions by menaces, and therefore went forward ip their determination to substitute an anti-slavery policy for the pro-slavery policy which haci before giveu direction to the administration of the government. The Southern States met this resolution with rebellion and war. When war came it required no discussion nor extraordinary stimulant with the great mass of the Republican party to bring them sternly to'resolve that whatever might betide, the union of the States should be preserved. A large majority of the Democratic party, however, opposed every policy of coercion, aud, either through sympathy with the rebellion or from a lack of faith in the intelligence, tenacity, bravery, aud patriotism of the American people, boldly proclaimed their belief that the rebellion could not, ought not. and would not he conquered by arms. They appealed to the past, declaring it to be the teaching of all history that .8,000,000 of people, firmly united and striking for a common causehad never been overthrown by an army of invasion and occupation. But the Republican party, having more confidence in the people accepted the issue aud took up the gage of battle. During the struggle which ensued, it was constantly accused by the opposition with mismanagement and corrupt purposes. Was it proposed to iuvade the insurgent Stales and bring them to feel, by earnest war, the consequences of rebellion, we were told that would never do; that we must stand on the outside of these Stales, squeeze them gently, and at the same time bold out to them olive branches, or, iu ot her words, “stoop to conquer.” Was it proposed that our army should live upon the enemy's sub,stance, it was declared that such a policy would he inhuman treatment of our brethren. Was it proposed to make negro slaves contraband of war, and use fhem to cook aud to carry knapsacks for the soldbfrs, we were denounced as violators of the Constitution. Was it. proposed to abolish slavery in State's where rebellion existed, we were met.ivith a yell of rage and vituperation, at the bare suggestion of t.his common sense proposition. Was it proposed to make colored men soldiers, the army was advised to resist sm y introduction of the coiiired element intd tbs soldiery of the country; while from almost ery Democratic mouth there were prophecies o“ dire calamities, defeats and humiliations. Was If proposed to issue greenbacks, to sell bonds, and fiuatly to establish a system of National banks to promote the financial operations of the Government, all this was ridiculed aud opposed by the Democracy. Finally, when the war closed in the suppression of the rebellion, and the capture of the rebel armies, this same reactionary element Opposed every step looking to the reconstruction ot ibe relici Suites. Was it proposed-to disfran--ebise the leaders of the rebellion, they were declared the only element in the South fitted to rebuild the States they had so lately fought to de- - gtrojf. Was it proposed to enfranchise the black loyalist. this reactionary party could find no words strong enough fit measure such an outrrge upon constitutional government. Was it proposed to put down Ku-Kluxism, it was declared to be an infraction ot the constitutional rights of the States. Was it proposed to meet the National debt in accordance with onr contract, it was declared this was a burden which the people would never consent to bear. But the Republican party met all this opposition, and witb- ; out blu*ter or vindictiveness pursued the path of duty. As new events presented new issues for adjustment, "it moved forward fearlessly and honestly to their determination and settlement. It has secured to the country peace, good order, and reasonable prosperity. It has established a system of currency’ which is equally safe and current everywhere throughout the country, and wnich. with some additional features, giving It more of the expansivenese of a free banking system, will beihe safest and best in the world. It has inaugurated a new method of dealing with complex questions of international dispute, and Bas not only obtained for the sufferers by the Alabama sls,iOO,uOOin money, but also maintained an honorable peace, besides giving to the worid, in the Gene vast filtration, a model and a principle by which other nations may be guided in the future. It has succeeded in making treaty regulations with diher nations whereby the right of expatriation was acknowledged, so that the naturalized foreigner may return to his former home without danger or fear of impressment mto the ariuies of his native, country. In short, will yon tell rile of a single desirable thing in law or politics, coming up as an issue in the last fourteen years, which was likely to promote our honor, prosperity, or happiness as a people, that has pot been carried mto effect and made a part of our Republican history! This was acknowledged, one year ago, by all the opposition elements of the country, when they nn-

dertook to wipe ont the past by a formal indonemeut of all the principles which, prior to that time, they had opposed, ridiculed and denounced. I read from tne Cincinnati and Baltimore platforms: “We recognize the equality of all men before the law, and hold that it Is the duty of the Government, in its dealings with the people, to mete out eqnal and exact Justice to all, of whatever .jnativiIty. race, color, or persuasion, religious or polltl-' cal.” “We pledge ourselves to maintain the union of these States, emancipation, and enfranchisement, and to oppose any reopening of the questions settled by the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution.” Again: “The public credit must be sacredly maintained, and. we denounce repudiation In every form and guise.” Here is a full acceptance, so far as words are equal to it, of all the past policies of the Republican party, every item of which had. up to that time, been opposed and condemned. This indorsement of the record of the Republican parly, for the twelve years of its administration, of course, implied that up to that time it had uniformly been right upon all these vital and fundamental issues, white the Democratic party had uniformly been wrong. Tills would have been well enough if they had dropped it there by advising the scattered remnants of the Democratic party to.vote the Republican ticket. Bat the bold insolence of which this party is capablo, and which for coolness rises into the region of sublimity, is seen in the sequel, when the gentlemen, instead of making this recommendation, say, in effect, that notwithstanding the comparative merits of these two parties as sbowm ln their past history, still the Republican party is not wise and honest enough to administer the government in the future, and it should therefore be turned over to them and the dissatisfied Republicans who had reinforced them.