Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-03-19
WHY ,hex xDon,,He.d.

Republican journals have protested
against many of the reckless and squan-
sdering appropriations of Congress =
have spoken in vigorous terms against the
corruption that has characterized many
Republican officials-and Republican read
ers have mentally if not openly applauded
the course of such editors touching these
matters; but upon the Republican Con-
gress it has had no effect. AS well might
| they have talked to the sun, moon and
stars, for all the good it did. Congress did
not and does not heed them. Why don'l
Congress heed them? These same editors
urge the people to vote the Republican
ticket, and when the people have respond
ed tothese calls, the Republican members
Of Congress look over the returns, and with
an air that proclsims intense satisfaction
they will say Ss"Our course is indorsed by
the people. What care we for what the
press say?" The corrective, then, does not
lie through the animadveFsions of the Re
publican press. There is sure, and only
sure, corrective for such abuses at this
| time, and that is through the ballot box
1t is the peoples corrective. If a
panty in power shall disregard the Consti-
tuition if it shall usurp power; if it shall
pervert the form ofsour Government; if 1t
shall practice corruption; ifit shall squan-
der the public treasure by fool-hardy ap-
preparations, and by unduly raising the
salaries of officials, and in needlessly Gre
ating offices; fi6 is the duty of the people
to vote the party out ofFpower that does
any of these, things. To this end voting
was instituted. Offfce-holders are not yet
the masters of the people, and never will
be in this country, if the people shall duly
regulate them through the ballot-box; but
the moment the people shall neglect to do
this, then do they constitute the office
holders their masters. Under such circum-
stances, elections become mere shams and
farees; but when the people use them to
instruct and to chastise, if need be, office
holders, then are they of the highest i'm
portance and of the proudest nobility
ffice-holders will respect them-will make
their action conform to their pledges, to
honesty and to the requirements Of high
sense of honor.
To some municipal election may appear
small affair-as an affair that can exercise
no Influence beyond the immediate place
wherein it is held. There perhaps was a
time when this was the case; but that time
belongs to past period. Now the Con-
gresham and. the official at Washington
scan these elections with close scrutiny,
and if they find that they indicate change
in the political sentiment of the country
adverse, to their party, they wisely con-
clude that their party has not given salts
faction to the people. The result will be a
change in Intercourse; but ifthey find that
there is no essential change, or if change
at all, that it is favorable to their party,
they wilIsteadlly prosecute their objection
able course. The only way, then, to put
sense, propriety and regard for economy
into those who administer the affairs of
Government at Washington, is to defeat the
Republicans at the April elections. If any,
thing will do it. this will bring them to
theirsenses.