Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-05-10

complaints against the Administration,
aud patriotic requisiiions on the Phila-
dephia Convention, in the hope and at
tempt to exert moral influence on it,
aud so lifts up its platforms and candi-
dates. Ii that was their purpose, what
ever views might be entertained of the
need OF the Convention, it would COM
mand respect. Everybody then might
make a pilgrimage to Cincinnati.
For who of us does not sympathize
with every movement. which, in the line
of safety, seeks to lift up the politics OF
the Nation 10 the Level OF the wisest
sense and the best interests of the Amer
lean people? Who of us says it is not
right to inaugura,e reforms in the party
not right to seize every opportunity
to reinvigoraie it? Who objects to hon
est criticism of his party? For one, not
/. The Republican party needs it. Ev-
cry party has needed it, and every party
will need it. And that member of the
party who claims it to be perfection,
and is reckless of the good name OF
those who do not agree with him, may
be honest, but certainly is not wise.
But while we recognize the propriety
and the need of criticising freely the short
comings of the party and its administra-
tion of stirring them up on SO many
points, of shielding no officer from the
most rigid scrutiny, of inspiring the
whole party to an elevation and purifi-
cation of policy, we insist all this should
be done kindly, and not destructively.
No party can be absolutely pure. Per
lection in this world is a dream. There
will always be dissatisfactions and
grievances, and some just causes of
complaint in every political organiza-
ton. But for these it is not to be disin-
tegrated and destroyed.
IF the Republican party, with all the
legacies left to it by the war-of extrav-
agauce, of sectional and party prejud ce,
of abuse of authority and lawlessness,
with all the burdens laid on it of recon
struction and debt, and foreign compli-
cations, has not come clear up to its aims,
is il therefore to go to the wall? Are we,
for instance. to give up the Republican
party Because unworthy men, under lis
sacred name have carpet-bagged some OF
the State governments down South, and
afflicted them with misrule? IF shoddy
and that is what it is-did not drive
us out of the party during the war. shall
it do so now, or shall we drive it out
| And if the standard of Civil Service is
/ not what we would wish it to be; if Civ
il Service Reform-the lifting up of the
officers of the country from party to ca
2acity comes slow, is that reason for
disbanding the party? Or is it reason,
! that there is not unanimity as to the
time when general amnesty shall be pro-
claimed? Still more, shall we be ready
to let this party go, because of differ.
ences of opinion as to who shall fill It's
chief offices? Take anything and every.
thing charged upon the administration
by the disaffected-assumptions of per
sonal power, perversion of authority
Iowness of tone-if remedy is needed
does it not lie right among the Republic
licans themselves?
Does anybody for moment doubt the
substantial wisdom aud honesty of this
great party, sanctified by so much blood
, and so many tears? Does any one think
that any other party is more likely tC
deal righteously with all that pertains t
, the nations honor, and the humblest cit
} izen's welfare? Has it not given in thes'
eleven years OF power proofs enough o
, its title to be trusted? Even in thes,
last years, the three years of this ad
ministration, has not domestic peac'
j been promoted and maintained; has no
the public credit been improved; ha
: not the debt been lessened have no
the taxes been reduced; has not tn,
country been prosperous? Have we no
set an example to the world in inaugu
t rating foreign policy of settling inter
5 national disputes by arbitration, rathe
than by the sword? And in Civil Ser
/. vice Reform, the work oe which politi
clans are a little afraid-because tn
people have not fairly got hold of it,
, work which can be accomplished onl,
j by hard struggle against custom, ant
: selfishness and greed, in this, has ther
} no: been beginning?
e Let us admit that there have beel
mistakes. There have been. l thinl
San Domingo was one. think the al
: tempt in the United States Senate t
D discipline everybody who in any partic
ular differed from the administration
I was another. think consequential dam
' ages in the claims before the Genev
!. Arbitration was another. There are We
others. But what are these compare,
: with the folly, the criminal folly, the su