, 1872-03-21
Disgested with Party.


rarture' in politics. took the same
several years ago though am sill as
much Of Democrat as ever, but have
done working for the elevation Of men
whose course only tends to bring dis
honor upon tie term Democracy
-oace to be a Democrat was TO be honest
and patriotic-it is not so row; and the
party in power is no better-ecntrolled
by downright cheats who care nothing
sor principles. but every thing for Office
and pap. The war made them al that
they are"
This but expresses the feelings and
sentiments Of q large majority Of tle
honest and disinterested portion Of The
citizens of the United States. Of both po-
htical parties. at the present time; and
get they have become SO habituateJ to
party rule thai they see no avenue Of
escape from thraldom, no refuge for
those who would be free but upon neu-
tral ground, without any active partiei-
patton in the government. They see no
public advantage 70 be gained by leaving
one party which they know to be cor
Iupt and going over to the other party
which is manifastly seeking power by
ring combinations and corrupt practices
in manipulating conventions in the IN
teres. Of schenling politicians. Thus
inany deem It "bettor to endure the
evils that We have than Fly 10 others that
we know not Of" This state Of popu-
lar dissatisfaction and dignst with party
management, where ii leads to indiffer-
ence AMI inactivity. is most favorable
TO the ssheming and intriguing poli-
iicians who take advantage Of popular
inertness to promote their own personal
designs, and thus are the evils com
planned of increased rather than di-
Ininished. The successful politician
cares as little for popular protests un-
supported by popular votes as the psur-
er cares for the murnurs Of his victims
4 reformation OF existing evils and
remedy for existing abnses are among
the most obvious popular demands, and
it is equally apparent that the reform,
ton and remedy demanded are not avail
able through present party organization,
the machinery and management Of which
nre in the hands and under the control
Of the very authors Of the mischief for
which the remedy is sought. Neutrality
in popular government is f.ith.essness
to the duties and obligations Of citizen
ship. Inaction is q surrender OF liberty.
which is only to be maintained at the
price of eternal vigilance" What
then2 First, independence; then ag
gressiye action, Independence of ali par
ty dictation or discipline and active hes
tility to all rings. cEques or combina-
tious formed or manifestly existing to
control nominations or elections III the
special interest Of any man or assoeia-
ton Of men, regardless Of their rofes-
sions or party afiliation. Reform in
the civil service is eff vastly more I'M
portance in the maintenance Of a gust
and equitable government than the sue
cess or defeat of any measure of pelicy
now ostensibly dividing the two politi-
cal parties. Let Il be distinctly under
stood that tou viii not couItsnanee Of
fee seeking, and that you viii give your
sulrrages to no man solely on the ground
Of his having seeurned the nomination
Of q party convention. and make it an
imperative rule to vote foI no candidate |
who is known to use money, promises
or other corrupt appliances to influence
voters. Above ell, make no compro- /
misses and give no quarter to ring com |
bina.ions in towns, cities, counties. Ter
tories OF States. Wherever any Of these |
public sores are known to exist, probe
them. however iisagreeable the duty
may be. The existence OF such ciiques, |
however secret their designs, never fail
to manifest themselves Hnnistablv TO I
aIl who viii take the trouble to exercise
discrimination. All such combinations |
are conspiracies against the public veal /
and should be regarded and treated as & |
public enemy. Take, for instance. the
ring of spoils gatherers at Olympia. Ali /
that they possess has been drawn from |
the public treasury, directly or indirect
"; all the interest which they have in
this Territory. rs citizens or property
holders, has been acquired through com
missions which brought them here at
the public expense, and have achieved
nothing in the interest Of the people up
on whom they have been quartered to
entitle them to public consideration.
This association of carpet-baggers and
ofice-seekers have organized themselves
into joint-ssock company not only to
control the Federal patronage. but to
dictate the nominations which they ex-
pect to compsl the people to support by
party discipline. For this purpose they
have established newspaper with an
imported Bohemian editor. at cost Of
not less thar sI5. .ooe or s 90, ,ooo year,
which IS furnished to subscribers at