Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-11-13
THE FUTURE.

The Presidential election is decided.
The Republican party is again triumph
ant. Victory brings with it great resPo'-
sibilities. Our work Is not Done. There
are indications in the popular vote (ss,s
the Chroniels,) which are sufficient 10 show /,
If proof we're needed, that tae Republicans
party has not received an indefinite lease
OF power, with full permission to do what
ever its leaders, in Congress or elsewhere,
may please In fact, some very positive
hints Of contrary import have been given.
For our part, We have never been able
to maintain the immsculsteness or infalIi-
bility Of the Republican Congress, or cf
RepubIiean ofRcIsIs. We earnestly be-
lisvs, and In this we are borne out BY the
verdict Of the people, that the aims Of the
Republican party have been just and no.
BILE, its purposes patriotic, and it's record
immeasursbly superior to that Of the
Democracy. The Republican party saved
the country when sssailed by armed re-
bellion. 1t has solved the problem Of re-
construction in n manner that will be
accepted as satisfactory aud fnal. As a
whole, its work has been sound and Gu
during. It has not, however, been al
together fsultless, nor il its future to be
free from care, or from the requirements
Of skilIful ststesmanship. II is not to re
gard itself as now entering into sabbatic
rest, 10 the enjoyment of the fruits Of vic
tory. I: is assuming serious labors, on
which the perpetui'y Of its own power, il
not the highest welfare of the country,
will depend.
Corruption stalks through all avenues
Of the national capital. Decentralization
has invaded not merely the Executive
Mansion aud the Departments, but also
the Legislative Chambers. Honesty.
craftsmanship, patriotism, are daily stared
at, with sarcastic leer, by debased lobby
SCENTS and importunate advocates Of dis
honest schemes. The Republican party
mus, resolu,ely rid itself promptly, EN-.
phaIicalIy, 10 public aud in secret-of the
parasitic growth OF rings aud gangs Of
every unwhoIesome sort whatsoever. The
rotten fungus, the tenacious lichen, the
more seemIy but poisonous mis,letoe, must
all 60 together. The necessity is impsrs
tive. The occasion is immediate.
The Republican Congress has much TO
do a, the approaching session. 1t must
neither trihe nor dawdle--siiting an hour
and half day for three or four days In
a week, taking two weeks vacation ut the
holidays, and doing nothing except in the
hurry Of the last twenty. four hours. II
mus, meet it's responsibilities in prompt
and manly way. II has no end OF serious
and pressing work.
The financial ondiiion Of the country
must be fairly looked 10 the face, and
treated in a statesmanIike spirit. AlIthst
is needful to finish up the work OF recon-
struciion ut the South must be promptly
aud firmly done. Our system Of taxation
must be revised, and especially the organ.
ization for executing the internal revenue
laws. A thoroughly rotten, inefficient,
needlessly expensive Indian Department
must be completely remodeIled aud puri-
fed wasteful leakages must be stopped,
and worthless officials got rid Of. A brave
aud perseveriug spirit Of reform must be
awakened in every branch of the Govern
ment. The duties OF governing. in a word,
can not any longer be safely shirsed. but
must be energeticalIy undertaken.
These, in our judgment, are the lessons
that should be most deeply impressed up
On the minds of the successful party, even
IN these hours Of rejoicing. We fear tina,
81 all Others, they are the ones which are
most likely to be postponed and FINAL y
forgotten, unless again and again forced
upon the attention Of those whose position
snsbIes them either TO destroy or to per-
petuate the sway Of the Republican party.