Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-08-19

IrlSntIui ulSOrdcrS. ScalaWaTS, carpet
baggers, and the most ignorant of the ne
gro population weltcr together in one
mass of moral putrc!action, scourg;ng the
respectable and peaceful citizens with their
dishonest exactions. These outrages are
openly justified, and their encouragement
declared to be necessary for the good of
the radical party. The foremost members
of Congress have avowed their determi-
nation to legi.late upon them with refer.
cnce to the chances it may give them of
carrying future elections. In other words,
the worst wrongs and the most shameful
violations Of common justice are committed
in order that certain combination of poll
ticians already in power may continue to
rule us for their pleasure, and plumber us
for their profit.
OF General Grant we desire to speak
with the respect that is due to the chief
magistrate of the nation and a soldier Of
great reputation. But it is painfully
manifest that he is not fit for his place
He has never made the slightest efforts to
preserve, protect, or defend the constitu-
ton. On the contrary, he has given to
its enemies in Congress all the aid and
comfort ho could and he has assumed,
without sctuplc, powers which kings are
careful not to exercise, and which no re,
publican ruler can hold without mortal
offence to popular liberty. Instead of
guarding the public treasury, he has en-
couraged the corrupt extravaganza of Con-
gre>s and some of the worst jobs have had
their origin in the rings which Immediately
surround him. Before and about the time
of his election his inconsistent expressions
showed that he had no convictions (rer-
haps no knowledge upon public affairs,
! He avowed openly in writing, over his
own name, that he had no Policy, that is
to say no opinions or sentiments which
would control his choice Of measures. But
leading aud ambitious men Of the Repub-
lican party proposed to him policy which
would serve their interests at the expense
of equal rights, and they accompanied
their suggestions with offers of enormous
presents in money lands, houses and goods
far exceeding in value the annual salary,
which the people agreed to pay him for an
impartial and just administration Of their
government He accepted the presents,
adopted the policy, and appointed the DO
nors to office.
1t will surely be admitted that all
American citizens who believe these facts
to be true are bound by the sacred obi ga
tions of patriotism, honor. and conscience
to oppose this state of things and by op.
posing end it if possible. The persons iu-
tcrcstcd in preventing change will ask
how, to what extent, and by what means
we propose to make reforms? The question
is Il fair, and and we will answer it briefly.
1t will be the duty of the Democratic party.
and to the extent Of our authority, original
or delegated, we hereby pledge ourselves
and our associates, so far as in us lies
L. TO put the ship of State once again
on her constitutional track, and hold her
head firmly and steadily to that course.
>. TO protect individual citizens of all
parts. classes end crceds in the enjoyment
of life, liberty, property, reputation and
the pursuit of their lawful business, by an
impartial administration Of justice in the
| ornda;ncd and established courts.
3. TO preserve the powers Of the gen
cral covcrnmcn: in their whole constitu-
tional vigor as our sole defence against
foreign aggression, the safest bond of union
between different sections of the country
and the only sure promise Of general pros
pcrity.
/. To maintain, unimpaircd, the re-
served rights of the States, not only be-
cause they are guaranteed by the federal
Constitution, but because the States alone
can safely be trusted with the management
of their own local concerns.
5. 70 reduced the expenditures Of the
government by con6ning its appropriation
to legitimate objects, by rigid system of
accountability and economy, and by abol-
ishing much of the unnecessary aud per-
nicious machinery with which it is now
encountered.
6. TO moderate tho burdens Of tie
people, not only by economical adminlstra-
ton, but by system of taxation upon
foreign imports as we'll as domestic pro.
ductions which shall be just aud equal in
its operation upon the property and business
of the country, not enrching some while
it impovcrishes others, and not open to the
frauds now habitually practiced.
7. To preserve the public credit by the
prompt payment of public obligations
8. To consccratc the public lands to the
use of the lanIless people who need it by
Il system which will secure sutfciency
to all and stop at once the long series Of
swindles by which so many millions of acres
have been given away to those who already
have more than enough.
These are some of the duties which lie
before the people if they desire to see their
government administered with a decent
respect for the constitution of their fathers
or with tolerable honesty in financial mat
| tcrs.
We hare no test Of orthodoxy-no dlsa-
bilties for nor determinations against
former political antagonists. We canuot
and do not object to bygone differences