The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-04
Meet the Issues.

From The Boston Post.
The Journal is trying to frighten its party
with hotchpotch of terrible things which it
knows are sure to result from a Democratic
triumph in November. Its predictions must
have been penned with an extremely wet
handlxeI chief at its eyes. But suppose 1T re-
moves the "wiper," and looks through its
tears at the condition to which its own party
has brought the country already. The people
do not ask that reckless and corrupt party
which Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, said would
bankrupt the treasury if Congress continued
in session any longer-to forecast the future
for them they demand an explanation of the
alarming state of affairs which is right upon
them now. Thirteen hundred millions of
dollars taken from their pockets in three years
of peace What is the reason of that If the
Government expenses have actually been as
moderate as the radical press insists, what has
become Of the immense remainder They
may cipher down their figures on expenditures
as close as they choose, they cannot rub out
the large figures of the revenues. And If the
latter have been so huge, and the former so
moderate, why does not that prove the ex
travagance and corruption of this party to be
even greater still
They have had uninterrupted control of
everything. For fear they might in some
way be obstructed in their schemes, they
drove forth opposition members from both
Houses of Congress for strict party reasons,
stripped the Executive of his power so that
he cannot even remove an incompetent Com
missioner of Internal Revenue, and tied the
hands of the Judiciary. A radical Congress
has been supreme, holding both purse aud
sword, and performing at once legislative
and executive functions. Therefore, for the
existing condition OF affairs the radical
party Is wholly responsible. Can it success
fully evade that responsibility before the people
by crying up its fears of what the Democrats
will do if they should be trusted with power
OF that the people are fully competent to be
their own Judges. Radioalism is much too
interested witness in case of that sort. 1t
is itself on trial. The people are not now
questioning this false party of what it thinks
the Democrats will do-they simply ask it to
stand up a1d explain its own conduct. What
has been done with all this money, wrung
from the sweat of labor2 Why is not the
Union restored, when Southern representa-
tives were at the doors of Congress nearly
three years ago, seeking admission Why
are five armies stationed in the Southern
States Why have we not general pacifca-
tion, restored confidence, revived industry,
TeOpened trade, and a lghtened load of taxes 2
These are the issues now-not old wars,
nor future dangers. We are to face the facts
that lie all about US. The radicals would be
very glad if we would forget those facts, and
look either forwards or backwards. That
paltry trick however, will not do. The day
of account is here. The people are demand
ing of this reckless party Of usurpers and
corruptionists that they shall show their
vouchers; and they only reply-"wait and
hear us tell of our exploits in the late
war''-or, 'don't ask about such things while
the Democrats are trying to expel US from
power" Such pleas are all In vain. They
are not relevant. They do not touch the issue,
unless they may be taken as confession of
guilt. An agent, in accounting to his princi-
pal, would make pretty work of it, if he fell
to putting himself instead of talking business.
When political party comes before the people
and asks for a renewal of its lease of power, it
is bound first to show that its lapsed trust has
not been abused, but rather has been i'm
proved. We hold radioalism to answer on
this point and no other. Let it stand up and
face its own record.