Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-08-05

Again We call attention to the dan
ger that pervades the country from
corrupt and wicked combinations of men
organized to control the government.
We : clip the following article from
the Chicago Republican; and ask for it
a candid perusal. How much Of it ap-
plies to our own county? The danger
that is ahead, can only be averted by
bold and uniform action on the part of
the people. We are not alone in this
cry it is being raised throughout the
length and breadth Of the land. RINGS
MUST BIZ BROKEN UP, OR TUE COUNTRY
IS RUINED.
"It is the same general cry-incom-
petenee, corruption and venality. It
afflicts the whole country ; it pervades
every part Of the country. It leads to
the same general disorder, wherever it
prevails. Unfortunately, it prevails
almost everywhere. It is part of the
present system Of politics, without re-
gard to party affiliation. One political
organization is as deeply compromised
as the other. "Rings" are essentially
the ulcers that, on one pretense or an
other, fasten themselves upon the body
polite. In their universal outgrowths,
these tend all one way. They first de-
moralize politics, then reach out with
degencrating ambition into finance, COM
merce and business generally.
If we are to have any publication in
politics, such reformation must come
from the masses Of the people. They
must arouse to the height of the great
argument. They must be at the pains
of hu,sting down to extinction prevail
ing abuses. They must give the 'death
thrust to "rings."
The great fault Of the elective classes
Of this country is that they neglect to
exercise their privilege of suffrage. It
is generally inconvenient for tho SUBJ
stantial and really interested masses of
the party to attend the primary elections
Intent on business and money-making,
they underestimate the advantages Of
being able to vote for delegates to nom-
mating conventions. Impregnatcd with
this false idea, they abstain from par
ticipation in the selection Of delegates
This fact has become so notorious in
"ring" circles, that it is calculated upon
with almost mathematical certeinty.-
The conspirators, with aid of their SUBJ
seryient adherents, arc thus measurably
certa!iu Of victory at the polls, opened
for the votes of the primaries Of the
party. The Rubicon once securely
crossed, all else is easy. Nominationsare
forced upon the party, and honest Re-
publicans are compelled to choose be-
tween Republican rule of doubtful kind
and Democratic rule of unquestionable
kind. Thus Republicans who have paid
down in cash or equivalents the price of
Office to the ''ring' are regularly induct-
ed into position, and begin Immediately
on induction into official authority, to
plumber the public, under latitudinarian
construction of regulating laws, or
through specific additions ofPower con-
fcrred by legislative enactments, or
through outright invasion of popular
rights, upheld by previously established
methods.
Under present laws, there is no remedy
but for eacn individual voter to make
attendance at primary elections para
mount duty. Even then he must run
the risk Of ballot-box stufing. Yet,
after all, it is better to attend the polls
than to abstain. If he remains away,
then the "ring' must have the result
under perfect control. Should he be
present, in sufficient numbers, there will
be at least q restraint upon the corrupt
practices of the lite Barnacles. This is
far better than nothing. It will afford
opportunities to detect prevailing cor
ruptions. 1t must give strength to tho
movement toward reform.