The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-18
SPIRIT OF THn PRzss.
Editorial Opinions OF the Leading Journals
Upon Current TOpies-COmDiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.

THE DEATH KNELL OF THE "RING."
From the NJ y. Times
A very remarkable article of the World
on the misgovernment of this city at this
particular moment presses upon the reputa-
Bile section of the Democratic party. This
new manifesto will not surprise any one who
has read the World attentively of late. It
has left off criticising its political opponents,
and boldly come forward with distinct policy
of it's own It's enemies assert that in taking
this course it is not actuated by the purest
motives That sort of retort is the very one
which we naturally look for from men who
are known to be dishonest themselves 1t is
part of their tactics to vilify the motives of
all who threaten to expose their misdeeds.
We have nothing to do with these charges,
and it is no part of our duty on this occasion
to inquire why it happens that the World has
proclaimed "Har to the knife" against the
4'ring." We are very well contented to find
it fighting for the same object as ourselves.
It's assistance in O good cause would be vel
come even if its foes could substantiate state
ments which at present are entirely unsup-
ported by evidence.
We have again and again called the atten-
tion of all honest Democrats to one plain fact
namely, that the corruption and mlsgov-
ernment of this oity, the shameful judiciary
with certain exceptions), and the general
collapse of law and order, are taken by the
country at large as the natural outcome OF
Democratic principles When Democrats say
to the people, ''Place the Government in our
hands and see what we will make out of it,
the people answer, "We can see that already
in New York city. Some of your well-known
Judges are in league with the vilest criminals,
and your citizens are taxed heavily for the
maintenance of tricksters and social outlaws :"
or @hoh hlanlyaot hind haa haan
affixed to the whole party. All over the civil
lied world the name of 'New York Demo
oracy" has come to be identified with vast
system of robbery and spoliation. The more
scrupulous members of the party naturally
feel this to be an injustice. In the country,
especially, Democrats know that they are
suffering for sin which they did not COM
nit and could not prevent othess from COM
mitting. 1t is not too much to say that our
city government, is doing them every day as
much harm as all their mistakes during the
war combined. What prospect is there of
winning Presidential election with this
heavy disgrace clinging to them?
The World has been one of the first of the
Democratic journals to acknowledge the JUS
tioe of these considerations The time is
critical. Next fall Governor will have to
be elected, and still more important contest
will then require study and preparation. In
what condition are the Democracy for meet
ing these trials of strength? The World
tells us very frankly The ''ring" has "de-
bauched politics and defled the name of De-
mocracy." A little knot of men shave plum
dered US of millions yearly, obstructed our
material growth, made our markets, our
wharves and piers and streets, mere monu-
ments of their rapacity, our elections farce,
and now have putup judges in our very court
houses to sell injustice for price" Oul
readers have often met with denunciations ol
that kind in these columns But it is like
new revelation to receive them from the
World. Our contemporary, however, il
speaking not against its party, but in the
truest and best interests of that party. The
''ring" will, Of course, howl at it, Corrupt
Judges may set their infamous tools to worl
in the hope of averting the retribution which
is certain to fall on their heads some day
But if the better sort of Democrats do no
take the lessons which the World now read
them seriously to heart, they will lose tn
best opportunity they have had for som
years past of recovering dreary expanse o
lost ground. s,.l -.r..... XXI =
Future historians may have to record tha
this schism in the Democratic ranks was tn
precursor of the revival of party which ha
its uses no less than our own. The vitf
principle of parliamentary government
that there should be two parties in the couI
try-one to govern, the other to exercise th
wholesome check of opposition. The Demo
Gratis have not known how to fulfil the latte
function, and for long period they hav
abandoned themselves to false leaders
and fallen into deep pits while pursuin
shadows. The Wogtd would summon thel
to that higher prrt which is still open
them; and it is of little moment for any OF
to turn round and tell us that the World
only playing game. The question is, Do
the World speak the truth or not? We kno,
and everybody in the country knows, that
does. This one city is accomplishing IL
ruin OF party still great, in spite of i
numberless errors New York is drinkir
the life blood Of Democracy. Everywhe
Democrats ought to Suite their strength
one tremendous blow at tie infamous clip
who would peddle away the honor OF d
nation without one tinge of remorse. III
rural members of the party ought to al
themselves with every honest Democrat th
can find in New York They will never ha
so good a chance again as they have at the
command now. 1t is the turning point
the checkered history of their party. Let
be rescued from municipality which
become almost national scandal, fro
licensed assassins who do the work of politi
and from officers of the law, high and 10
whose hands are soiled with dishonest go
if not with blood. ESQ OIL.