The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-17

The schurz-Hr0wn Organ ON the Ridf.
| cal Defeat I'm Missouri.
| From the st. Louis Democrat, Rep1
The magnificent victory achieved by the
Liberal Republican movement will chal-
lenge attention In every State of the Union.
The contest, from it's earliest inception, has
turned upon the most important questions
of State and national policy. and the deci-
/. sion Of the people, complete and over
whelming as it il, will be accepted every
where as an Indication Of the popular will in
! other States rs we'll as this. That decisioHis,
frat, for removal of all political disabilities.
The people believe that the todr has lasted
! long enough; that men who have surrender
ed, obeyed the laws and kept the peace for
years, and who are now industrious and
useful citizens, ought not to be deprived
any longer Of An equal share In the Govern
ment. In Missouri this decision enfran-
chises probably fifty thousand men who
have been deprived of suffrage, until this
year at least. In other States the same
| principles and policy, If carried into effect,
will remove disabilities from host Of the
aDlest and most influential citizens, who
have been excluded from Office by national
authority, and whose places have been
filed by a class Of men not creditable,
as whole, either to the Republican
party or to the State which they rep
resent or govern. Let political disa.
| ability of the South resume their natural
| influence, and whether those States be Re-
publican or Democratic, they will at least
| be more wisely governed and more fairly
represented in the national councils. No
party can long afford to exclude from suf-
hage or from Office q large body Of men,
including many Of the ablest, wealthiest,
and most influential Of the community
and the attempt to do so, wherever made,
only injuries the Republican party and ex
poses it to the charge of disregard of public
interest for the sake of maintaining itself in
power. 1t is time for the party to relieve
itself of this great burden. The decision
Of the people is most emphatic rebuke of
the system of taxation maintained for years
with the aid of Republican votes in Con-
Yess.
The protective system, taxing the many
for the benefit Of the few, has been toler-
ated only because the people were deeply
interested in other questions, and post
poned action in regard to the tariff until a
more convenient season. Now the war is
sues are settled. The country rests in the |
conviction that the settlement made will
not be disturbed. Reconstruction is com.
pleted. Negro suffrage is established and
fortified in the Constitution itself. These
matters settled, the people are free to con- |
slider whether the system Of taxation under
which they have been living is wise or
lust one. The verdict of Missouri in
Gates what the decision of other
States will be when that question shall
be presented. 1t will be well for the Re-
publican party if it heeds this warning and
purges itself Of responsibility for this great
wrong. NO party can afford to defend the
tariff under which we live. No party, how
ever popular, can afford to be responsible
for scheme of plumber by which three
hundred millions year are taken from the
pockets of consumers and given to en-
rich few favored capitalists. This
policy, injurious to the country, will
surely be ruinous to any party which
attempts to defend it, and those are
the truest friends Of the Republican
party who labor most earnestly to crush
the power of monopolies, and favored in
terests in its councils. The Missouri cleo
ton, fairly considered, is warning to the
Republican party that it must drop the
policy falsely called protection, or must
prepare itself for overwhelming defeat.
Pre,uming upon the attachment of men to
the party, Republican managers have dis
regarded the wishes and interests of the
Western people, and have suffered the
party to be used as tool by eastern mono
polists. 1t is time for them to learn that
the West will not tolerate any longer such
BETRAYAL of its interests.
President Grant has given to the election
in this State a peculiar significance. The
people of Missouri were engaged in deciding
important questions Of State policy, and de-
cliring their will upon questions OF national
Importance. They had no thought Of the
next presidential election, and were n t.
| inclined either to advocate or to oppose the
reelection of Gen. Grant at this time. But
he was Influenced by men who cared
more Tor small offices than for the success
and reputation Of his administration. They
persuaded him that the Liberal Republi'
| cans of Missouri were hostile to bis reclec-
ton. The absence Of any pledge to sup
port him for 4 second term, and the en-
Dhatic declaration for a reform Of the c;vl!
| service, were rega: lied by the President rs
evidences Of hostility. In the most uulor-
tunate moment of his life he consented 10
| use the power OF appointment and removal
| in vain attempt to crush this liberal Re-
publican element in Missouri.
| Thus he has converted L victory OF prn-
ciples, to which he WAS pledged, which ale
vital TO the Republican party, and which
neither General Grant nor the party Should
ever have permitted to be used against
them, into a most terrible rebuke of his Adj
ministration. Missouri tells him that her
people are not tor sale; that office anu the
hope of Office cannot Scduce them from
their convictions Of duty, and that his
own forgettulness Of pledges and dis
regard Of vital Republican principles
will not be initiated, but sternly re-
buked, by lreemen in every part of the
land. The voters of Missouri only speak
| the will of the freemen elsewhere. Presi-
Dental interference in State elections is so
odous, so offensive to every true Republl-
can, that no President can hope for the con
| fidence and support Of the people who SO
abuses his power. The victory is complete
| and glorious. We trust that its lesson will
not be lost upon the President and the he.
publican party OF the nation.