The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-12
A Sign of the Times.

Sailors inform us that when rats that
have fattened on ships larder begin to
desert her it is sign that she is going to
sink. Common experience teaches us
that when similar phenomenon IS seen
in politics, that Is, when persons who nave
fattened on party begin to desert IT, and
talk about forming a new organization, it
is a sign that the abandoned party is ON
the eve of disaster Just such a phe-
nOmenon is to be witnessed at this time.
The scene is Washington city, the head
quarters of Radicalism, and the theatre OF
whatever of glory and shame belong to
it. There is no notable sign OF trouble IN
the sky. The air, indeed, is thick and
oppressive, and is growing more thick
and oppressive every day; but there is no
black tempest in the heavens, no dashing
of trees together in the forest, no rising
of the sea, no quaking of the earth.
Everything is idle as painted ship up
on a painted ocean" But in the midst
of this languid picture perspicacious Radl-
Gals are seen stealing away from their
own camp, with its cOuntersigns and
watchwords fresh on their lips, and meet
ing together in the national capital to con-
suit about a new party and the move
ment foretells coming disruption of Radi-
calsm as surely as the unerring fall of the
barometer pOrtenGs storm at sea.
Radicalism has exhausted itself; it has
played everything in its repertoire it has
done all the good it can do, and all the
evil the people will allow it to do, and it
stands now, without q coherent design,
without a hope, without an aspiration,
without a future, and with the uneasy
memories of its crimes trooping thick and
fast before its vision. 1t spent its last
vigor on the Fifteenth Amendment. and
has not enough strength left to pass the
Funding bill, the Tariff bill, the San Do
mingo treaty, nor any other distinguish
ing measure recommended by President
Grants A1ministra'iO Even the bill for
the third reconstruction of Georgia re-
mains on its hands undispoSed of, like a
stock of unreasonable merchandise which
its owner would not sell when he could,
and cannot sell when he would. Whether
to give Georgia over to Bullock or to
bayOnets or to its people, is the plainest
of questions; but, plain as it is, the short
breathed and dying party has not yet been
able to answer it. The majority IN Con-
gress are dividing into factions on the
tariff question, on the finance question,
and on the subject of reducing the
taxes the President stands without a
party to respond to his most urgent re-
quests. Mr. Boutwell, is defeated on the
Funding bill and On the Tariff bill Mr..
Logan leads powerful ana popular
movement for reductien of the army
against the wishes of the President free
trade Republicans of the West are mOrti
fled at finding that in filling up the seats
from the South with loyal Carpet baggers
they have only increased the votes OF
New England ProtectiOniSts and strength
het
stituencies; investigations of frauds are
constantly going on that leave scars on
the most prominent and conspicuous Off
Gals of the party and fill the defrauded
people with disgust New England is
desperately essaying TO perpetuate its ma
lign sectional power over the West by in
sisting on having the new Congressional
apporliOnment based on the old census OF
1850, instead of the forthcoming census OF
1870. These be signs of coming trouble
and it is a perception of the inevitable
crash that prompted a number OF sagaciouS
Radicals to meet at Washington a few
days ago, and decide that ne W party
needed
This conclave of pioneers adopted q
platform of three planks, viz: A tariff
for revenue exclusively; specie payments
and reform IN the civil service. All these
dIt SiEdc, dllu oil VI
find foe in the Radical party. 1t is the
ruling party alone that maintains pro
tective tariff monopoly; it is that party
alone that provides specie for one class Of
debts, and paper for another class; and il
is the unnumbered and stupendous fraud:
of that party alone, that has made a re
form in the civil service necessary. The
proposed new party, therefore, IN array
ing itself against one of the two existing
parties, practically declares in favor O
the other. 1t simply proposes to accom-
plish part of the task, which the lattel
has allotted to itself, and lis proper place
therefore, is in the ranks of that opposition
which must rise to eminence and influence
as Radicalism goes down in disgrace
But the proposed new party does not &C
far enough; il wishes 10 leave too much
undOne that needs TO be done. The res
toration Of the Judiciary to its ancient
dignity, independence and authority
the stern and emphatic denial of thu
transcenGent authority that Congress
has so lawlessly usurped, and 81
Oppressively used; reduction ii
the sum of annual taxes now need
lessly exacted of the people; a simplitica
ton of the revenue system that will rid j
of its arbitrary and espionage features
and the concession to the population o
the West, of the influence and respect tina
they are entitled to-these are some o
the needed things that the Democracy
propose to effect with the support and ap
prevail of the people, but which the pro
posed new party leaves entirely out Of it
young programme. Indeed, it looks very
much as though the new party now beins
brought to light at Washington was sim
ply device to make the best possibl,
terms for party in power that sees al
inevitable defeat before ito mutlle it
fall and throw oblivion over its grea
crimes If this be its object, it will surely
fail. The ruling party must take it
chances il cannot claim exemption from
responsibility. It must defend its policy
and stand or fall with It, If it is bein!
derided and denounced by its own adhe
rents, and if conspiracies are being fOrme'
against it in its own camp, these are th
unvarying logical results of every AFRO
CANT and oppressive abuse of power. Radi
calism is near Its end, and need not Civ
itself the trouble to predispOse OF its el
fects before death that will be done b.
its proper uccessOr.-MiSs0Iri RepuHi
c0n.
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