The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-02-16
The Decay Of the Dominant Party.

. --.H r-EF 49, ? .
Tt has become thoroughly evident
that an earnest quarrel is in progress
of unfolding within the line Of the
party of great moral IDEAS For years
that party has succeeded in binding
the people to its crimes and v~illainies,
but the result of recent elections, and
the deep thunder Of complaint which
rolls up from every part of the coun=
try, gives evidence that the people are
being awakened, and will soon call
these p%lunderers to a fearful account.
'Fhis state of things, Certain Re
publican leaders have been sagacious
to discover, and they know that in
order to save their party from that an
Inhalation at the hands of the people,
they must change their tactics, and
get up a cry of reform, at least, even
though it does not reach any practical
good. -sa ,s.jne -.t .sal. Il
Mr. Dawes, member of the Federal
HOUSE from Massachusetts, and Chair
man of the Committee on Appropria-
tions, has, taken it upon himself to in
stitute this cry, and he has done it
right well-s6awell ;asrto have fright
ened Grant, his Cabinet officers, with
Butler, and the Presidents other lac
keys in Congress, almost into a
stampede. Several days since Mr..
Dawes spoke in reference to appro-
priatiens for DE various departments,
in Which he showed that the expense
Of Grants first year as President will
reachia sum fortg-nine millions bf dollars
greater than that expended during the
last year of President Johnsonl
+ And this the administration that
came into power with such constantly
repeated professions of economy "
The assertions of MFR. Dawes fell
Hike a red-hot bomb in the midst Of
the departments, and the elaborate ac-
eountants have been engaged in att
temptsI to balance the books in favor
Eoftthe Administrations. Many figures
and statistics have been produced,
placed in the hands ofithat honorable
and economical gentleman, Benjamin
f. Butler, who read them to the
House on the 2eth. They were sery-
ed up with entries and relishes of vile
personalities, such as only Butler can
perpetrate, and when lie had finished
it was found that his figuring put
Grants expenditures thirty millions
above Johnson's. Butler is about the
only apologist the administration has
in the House, and he is not worthy OF
a-better position" He had no sympa-
thy while delivering this speech, and
so far from its being composed of eff
frctive argument, it is generally laugh
ed at and ridiculed by those who heard
it. 49, .- az IN 'a- -. y
'f Mr.. Dawes appears to be in earnest
in his fight, and SIMPLY arose, after
the conclusion of Buffers harangue,
to state that he, Should shortly bring
proofs of what he had previously stat
ed - '-"'' '.' b.
1t is unrffor; innate for Grant that his
champion is Butler. There is hardly
a member in the Houe who has any
respect for him, and every Republican
is Jealous of his cunning. when it
comes to fight, all will combine in OPP
position, and whoever is unfortunate
enough tosbe with Butler will suffer
ignominy and defeat for Butler sake.
The Grant administration is doomed,
and, if the people are permitted to go
to the ballot-box again to elect a Pres
ident, the rule of fanaticism will be
at an end. When the people can. 'un-
derstand that a party in pow Ter has
become corrupt, an organization of
public robbers, then the people will
hurl that party from power, it makes
no difference which it is. ?.
1t needs not Democratic testimony
to show the corruption of the present
dominant party. They, loudly pro-
claim their own dishonesty ~ Y
Democrat. a.