The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-18
THE REAL ISSUES OF THE CAmPAlGN


The Republican party intends to make
up its own issues. 1t will give its own ac-
count Gifts political stewardship, which has
been characterized by the utmost economy,
and by exemplary integrity. 1t is not de-
MED that among the hundred thousand
agents whom the government employs there
have not been some dishonest men, but
considering the laxity of public sentiment
upon pecuniary defaults, the smallness of
the salaries paid, and the insecurity Of
official tenure, there have been as few de-
falcations or administration as could
have been expected. The cure for official
and personal populations lies not within the
range of political changes, but in better
public opinion, which demands that rascals
shall be punished regardless of their appar-
ent religious and political zeal.
The real question which the nation will
be called upon to decide is, "shall the enc
mics Of the United States, who since the
war have murdered by assassination thou
sands of the friends Of the government,
both white and black, and their Northern
svmpathizers be installed as the rulers of
loyal men? Is the combination of all the
reactionary and revolutionary elements of
the nation, for both these opposite parties
have one bond of ahion, the overthrow of
existing institutions, to be successful in
establishing violence and disorder in the
place of harmony and the progressive de-
velopment Of the nation? For more than
two years the Republicans have pointed
out the enormous robberies of the
Tammany ring; but the World,
the !StdotS Zeitnng and every Demo-
cratic journal defended it until last sum-
mer, when the exposures of the Times,
showing that millions were being stolen,
nerved a portion of the Democracy to re-
sistence. And even last fall Tweed was
elected to the State Senate by some ten
thousand majority. 1t was only by COM
bination of a portion of the Democrats with
the Republicans that Tammany was over
thrown, for counting out the thrty-fve
thousand Republicans, Tammany, at the
last election, had Clear majority in New
York city. And yet many Demagogues
have the audacity to proclaim that the can.
didates elected by their class of voters
would be an improvement of the civil ser
vice. ---.
There will be but two parties in the mex
campaign. Factions may go through the
motion of putting up reform Republican
or reform Temperance, or reform Labor
candidates but all these diversions will on
ly be made ia the interest Of the Democracy
and some weeks before the November cleo
tons their pseudo tickets will be Withdrawn
and the nation will be again divided int
two hostile political camps-one represent
ing constitutional progress-the other q
combination of all that is opposed thereto
no matter for what reason.
In these circumstances it is the duty 0
patriots to stand by the flag which so safe
ly carried the nation through the late civi
war, and to spurn with deserving contemp
the pitiful articles of the enemy. Tn
Trojan horse with which the Ku-klu.
Greeks of modern times, intend to ente
the capital, is Civil Service reform, but tn
disguise is too transparent to deceive the
nation.
If the loyal men of tho nation can NJ
longer be trusted with its destiny. then
has to fall to pieces, for the disloyal ele
ments that hate the government, and re
gard it as tyranny will certainly not TT.
to save it.
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