Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1871-12-30
REFORM.

4 iiAttotiOuo h'ai " 40 Va viz iiShOh
Revolution OH his way to the scafIold,
and oh Reform Reform! what ras
calities VIII be perpretrated under thy
garb, might wen be ours in relation to
the cry or rather shrek of reform now
ringing through the land, and the
shibboleth of allparties, from old line
wings, to no line at all, new departure
Democrats.
That reform in some shape is most
decidedly necessary, imperative in fact
all parties agree, but what shape that
reform shall take, each wishes to de-
eide. Republicans and Democrats
alike admit because perhaps the fact is
too plain for denial, that there are rob-
bers and thieves in their respective
ranks, but each party claims that they
are exceptional cases and that to their
side alone belongs all the probity and
patriotism of the country and that in
the carrying out Of their policy, the
peace and prosperity of the country
depends. -
That there is no honesty in politics,
is a fact so generally admitted, that if
the contemplated, or rather agitated
reform is to he inaugerated and car
ried ont by professional politicians
alone, "a majority of the rejecting
portion of the community we imagine
will be likely to be of the opinion Of
the fox in Esops fables, who when en-
tangled in the ruslies and almost de-
pleted by blsod sucking flies, refused
the offer of friendly swallow to drive
them away, fearing that another hun.
grier swarm might succeed them, who
would suck out every drop remaining
in his veins.
1t is to the people alone that we
may look for any hope of bringing
about any desirable change, and they
can only effect this, by discarding en-
tirely all party hacks and electing new
men to office, men known to be honest,
men like Caesars wife above suspicion,
and n.en coming up to the standard Of
Cyrus who said in effect, /" He is not
worthy of Office who is not better than
his constituents
Applicable to our remarks and co.
NEEDING with our views in many re.
spects, We make the following extract
from an exchange, and suspend our re-
marks upon the subject we have per-
sued until next week, when we shall
give OUR IDEAS regarding a reform
which may be effected by tire people
themselves, without the interposition
of agents or representatives.
The people at large understand per-
fectly well that the platform OF the
utsalways consist Fan undistin guish-
ing dennrciatjon of the principles, acts
and purposes of the ins, and that the
platform of the ms consist of an infinite
abuse Of their opponents and an
elaborate yindication of themselves.
1t is not safe to believe tire declara-
tons of either about the other, nor to
take the promises of either as the
schedule Of their future action. No
party has done all the i'll that it has
been accused Of in advance or after
wards, no party has done the good it
has promised. No candidate for the
chief magistracy has fallen to the
grade of knaves nor have any risen to
the serene excellence OF saints. We
shall not anathematize one side nor
the other, and If, as the play
COOS ON, we find traits to approve or
brilliant sallies to admire,
clever strokes ofw to commend, gross
errors to scowl upon, palpable blunders
to ridicule or anything out of keeping
with the occasion, we shall comment
On it quite freely. We know the play
by heart, having witnessed 1t many
liuttS. We KNOW Jut Cstltlt-DOX OIL
which the Goddess Of Liberty stands.
We know all the letters and symbols
)n the rival calico banners. We know
The constitutional drums on which tie
rivals play. We are familiar with the
on which they hammer forth
heir most terrific thunder. We know
Ill the actors, musicians, sceneshifters
md prompters by name, and can tell
when each duly "plays his part,n or
. comes tardy off. 1t is kind of
double barreled drama, combined of
all theatrical elements except tragedy.
The Grand Double American COmbi-
nation Troupe perform a limited en-
gagement. We have bought our tickets
lin taxcs), we have taken our box near
the stage; Experience will sit at our
right hand, and Forbearance at our
left; we shall wait quietly jim our
llrapetf aud cushioned loge, until the
of the candidate orchestra
have can Spd Tn frpt flypir fxldlo~f r;ufrs