Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-02-16
The Liberal Republican Movement.

The Liberal Republican Movement.
We publish below letter copied from the
Cincinnati Gazette, which was addressed by
Judge BRISKERuoFF to gentlemen who are ag-
itatinS the Liberal Republican Reform movs-
ment. We have also received a circular signed
by over two hundred prominsnt citizens Of Gin
clnnati relating to .hat same movement
From tho present appearance of matters it
would appear as il the movement would carry
far more strength with it than has generally been
anticipated aud which, If not ..counteracted by a
judicious revision Of the tariff in the interest of
the people, rather than that of monopolists and
also the adoption of other judicious aud popular
measures of legislation, may lead to a very close
IL not a successful contest for the Presidential
Chair.
We have always claimed that the Republican
party pos sesses within itself the germ and ele-
ment of reform, and we really hope such prompt
and decisive action will be taken as will
give satisfaction to the great mass of Intelligent
and influential citizens Of Ohio who have been
standing aloof from each of the great political
parties during the elections of l9S9-70-7l, be-
sides large numbers of others who are acting
with the party.
Let reform measures be adopted and we have
no fear of any successful opposition party. The
letter of Judge BRINKERHoFF, which reflects the
sentiment of this movement, will be found to LIE
of much interest,"
Ny. DEAR SIR-I have observed with pleas
ure the card Of MessIs. Cox Mathews, Iloldly,
and yourself, published in the Commercial Of the
81 inst, approving the call of the late Missouri
Convention, for a National Mass Convention of
liberal Republicans, at Circinn att, ON the first Of
Nay next. Being with you in sentiment and
Opinion, will endeavor to be there with yoh in
p rSon.
1t seems to be fnregone conclusion that Gen.
G ant is to be the nominee of the Republican
| Convention, to be held in Phladalp lph ia in June
next. Considering the vast official patronage
rtaiuing to the Office of President, aud the
manner in which that patronage has been en-
p.Oyed this furegOne conclusion is not a matter
| Of wonder, although it is to me, and doubt not
| TO thousands Of others, hitherto members OF the
| Republican party, matter Of deep regret and
| dissatisfaction. As for me, whatever else may
have been, | have not been, nor do intend to
b &C, me, the slave Of anv political organization.
| b Irn, so to speak, q member of the old Demo-
cratic party, ! continued To act with it until |
thought, and still think, that it had degeDerated
into mere subseryency to slaveholding interests
| and aspirations. For this reason, and this Jnly
and failing to find any indications OF reforma
ton ia this respect, left this party, thereby, as
to myself abandoning every prospect and hope
Of political preferment in the future; and thence
| forward | cO-operaled with the Preeso party, a
Iarty, until it was merged, the Lass of it' otell
| principles, into the Republican party, and with
that | zeal0usly acted until after the naugura
tion OF Gen. Grant, and up to the developments
OF his personal and political administration
which are the foundation Of my objecting to
both.
gnder a republican government, attention IA
politics, in the higher and proper sense OF the
word Is personal duty; and every citizen, II he
would work effectively in politics must WORK
through the medium of parties. They are in
sirumentalities not dictators. On no other
ground than this can the existence of political
parties be justified and the man who adhere:
to party when it has ceased, in the main tc
represent, ar has become antagOnistic to hi:
own convictions as to what is just and wise
abandons alike his freedom and his duty, ana
voluntarily assumes the position of slave.
As to the personal administration of Grant,
do not like his acceptance, prior tn his inaugrua
tion, Of munihsent presents from men dsrn
guished for nothing but their wealth, and ther
} appointing those same men to Office. l do no
like his shameful and shameless nepoiism; hi:
apparentlv intimate and continuous association;
with stock jobbers; his project Tor the purchase
, OF Dan Dom lngO MS nSlTuGlSIl OF Sucfl men al
Sumner, Hoar, and Cox, and the substitution. a,
his confidential advisers, Of men in whose abili
ty and political purity discriminating pnbliG
has far less confidence. do not like his Ohicia
professions in favor of civil service reform
wacn cOntrasted With the fact that he made tn,
places Of the only members Of his Cabinet VIII,
seem to be heartily and practically in favor o
such reform too hot for them mr. do like th'
revelations recently made, through the medium
Of reluctant committee. as 10 the character
of the New York Custom House, nor his fulsoRt
Endorsement Of its late chief.
Nor is the legislative policy OF those who as
sume To be special friends Of the President NOR,
acceptable to me. do not like tariff Of dutie,
on imports which, while it takes money from
one mans pocket and puts il into the pOcke
Of another, brings little or no revenue into III,
public Treasuryi and which, while il ostensi
sly adds to the wages Of some manufacturing
lAborers, takes more than that increase from al
labOrers by means of the increased cost of living
Nor do like the apparent effort and disposition
toward the assumption by the general govern
ment Of powers and functions properly apper
tanning to the States.
l. there ever was party formed with an hon
est view 10 the realization Of a system Of jus
! legislation aud purity Of executive administra
lOn, it was the Repabliaan party and it Il
grinding TO tae sensibilihes 1f those who pArtio
! ipated in its formation 10 And so many who ha,
, no 81 npathy with the principles 0n which Il wa
based, Int who Jumped aboard Of It when theJ
r saw that ils voyage was Likely tn be a success
fui me, now assuming both tie office of captain
and the responsible laburs Of The hemsman
The disruption Of lOug accustomed poliacal as
slclations IS always pu 'niul, and It was not FOL
such results as we now see that such men ~
Todd ant Brough, among l''e dead, and hath
ews and Iloadly, and thousands # others among
the living, stepped Sut from the ranks Of old
affiliations and fell into line with the cohorts o
R5nubleanism.
The great battle against slaveholding dnmin
alton and rebellion haying been fuught, and won
and the fruits Of victory lngraited into the ma.
tnnal Constitution, we have leisure to consider
otler questions less vital. doubtless, bnt still
OF immense importance 10 the public interests
and the people Of The United Sates can never
aiflrd tn abdicate their own soverigpiy in favor
OF any set Of self constituted leadeTs.
Bele1e me, dear sir, very tTIly yours,
JACOB BRsNKKREoFF.
$50 you are going to keep a EcLool7" said 4
yonng lady to her maiden Aust. "Well, for