Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1877 — TO THE REPUBLICAN PRESS OF INDIANA. [ARTICLE]

TO THE REPUBLICAN PRESS OF INDIANA.

Those newspaper* which kindl f exchange with Tax Union if they have done it the honor of occasion* al perusal are aware that it care* little indeed for party names, party nominations, party traditions, or party successes for mere party advantages and triumphs. All readers of this paper know that it disengaged itself from the party yoke and allegiance years ago, and though perhaps still taking as much interest in politics as ever, it does so not from a party, but from an independent, national, position. This premise being true it follows that Tub Union cares nothing whatever for the republican, or any other, party merely for the sake of the organization itself, or the traditions that cluster about it. Traditions may be ornamental or picturesque as an ivy vine hanging over a ruin, but are seldom more useful. Parties are created to promote some interest or advance some principle, serving to ’ unite, concentrate and direct the efforts'of a multitude as an individual creature. When a party has accomplished the work it was organized to do and finds nothing more to be done, or when it is >found insufficient for the labor, then practical men will leave it to decay and organize a new and vigorous one for their purpose. The strength of all human societies and associations is harmony. Without it they degenerate into mobs and hasten their own destruction. While The Union disclaims being a republican party newspaper organ, it does prefer the liberality, the progressiveness, the elevating tendency and the doctrine of universal and equal rights the republican party to the tendenciesof the democratic party for the last twenty years. The record of the democratic party with respect to the rights 01 man is most villainous. The record it made during the war of the rebellion is traitorous. Il is to-day a party of retrogression, cruelty, violence, fraud, falsehood and hate. Until such time as new men nt vigor and progressive principles advance to the leadership of the democratic party, and the organization purges itself of its evil tendencies, it - should never be entrusted with national affairs. This being a brief outline ot the general faith of The Union it asks from republican contemporaries in Indiana, and more especially those of the tenth congressional district, of our state the respectful consideratiou of a suggestion it has to make.

There is naturally enough a division of opinion among the press and other members of the republican party upon the policy President Hayes has adopted as an experimentjn the treatment of the vexatious southern problem. The last state and general elections proved there was a democratic majority in Indiana, and Hayes received only 600 or 700 votes morfe than Tilden in this congressional district. A change of only, thirty or forty votes in each one ot the ten counties of the district will send a democratic representative to congress from it; while a change of only a few senators and representatives in ths legislature will ensure tbe election of a democrat' to succeed Mr. Morton in the United States senate. The Union does not care to enter upon an elaborate defense of or apology for the President’s policy, although many considerations combine to commend it, preferring to quietly witness its success to the satisfaction of the whole people; but the discussion of it *among republicans at the north, which, perhaps, is inevitable, may be conducted with wise moderation so as not to result disastrously to republican local interests. it seems to be unfortunate for republicans at the south that the influences by which they were surrounded have caused such a multitude to desert their colors there, still sympathy

for those who remain steadfast to principle need not be so violent as to make us forget our own dangers and rash madly into the breakers that will dash us in pieces and destroy the hope that may be cherished of assisting them to regain lost advantages. Let us make ourselves secure first and then look after the interests of our neighbors. Charity needs to be cultivated in our own fields. A surplus may be shared with others.

In days of the past, when for good and sufficient reasons The Union opposed Creneral Jasper Packard's political aspirations, he at that time being recognized as a representative republican, the General took especial pains on several occasions, it was reported, to publish from the rostrum while making bis canvass as a candidate for congress, that The Union was a democratic newspaper. He based this opinion solely on the circumstance of the paper’s antagonism to himself, knowing full well that at that time it advocated the election of every other gentleman who was represented on the ticket with him. Years eventful to the republican party have passed by. General Packard, with more years and experience, is now publishing a newspaper that claims to be republican in politics. But if he has learned some things while the panorama of years and events was being swiftly shitted before his vision he seems to have forgotten others, and to-day his paper is doing its utmost to intensify the feud and widen the breach which has for years placed the republicans of his own county wholly at the mercy of the democracy. When at the close of the rebellion General Packard was promoted to the republican leadership in LaPorte county, it was then largely in the ascendency, but soon, while he was directing its counsels, the power passed front it. When General Packard became the leader of the republican forces of our congressional district and succeeded Mr. Colfax in congress, the republican battalion was invincible. He succeeded during the first year of his leadership in sowing seeds of dissension which cannot be eradicated in the lifetime of the present generation; and finally, as the direct result of his own folly (if criminality be too strong a-term to apply to back-acting salarygrabbing) turned his district over to a democratic successor. The Union will not say that General Packard .is a democrat, because it dues not believe that he sympathizes with democratic principles; but it is remarkable how vigorously democratic majorities thrive in the fields that he cultivates. As a soldier his record was without reproach and for this is he entitled to all honor; but iu politics his opposition has appeared more serviceable than his friendship. Under the direction of a wise mind, in a subordinate position, he might do good work, but he does not seem to suc<i ceed as a leader; indeed in this respect be is a failure, and like all of bis caliber blames upon others hie own faults.

Mr. D. A. Fawcett writes that he contemplates issuing an independent weekly newspaper at Delphiu The first number will appear Saturday, May 12th. His experience at Monticello, with Al. J. Kitt, was short and somewhat bitter; but it is to be hoped that his new venture will afford more pleasure by way of compensation. Fawcett takes to tbe press naturally, and has the wit to become a good journalist. Tub Union wishes him success.

Last week The Union stole a number es its “state items’ 1 from the columns of the Indianapolis Herald, and the latter made reprisal by stealing from The Union of the previous week. Honors are qasy, with this exception: The Herold displayed the beet judgment*