Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-05-17
A Stang Platform.

In the discussion over the namesspre-
sented by the Cincinnati Convention, there
is danger that the character of its declara-
ton of principles may be overlooked, and
the terse, forcible and comprehensive ar
raignment of the Administration, which
composes the Address prefacing the reso-
lutions, dissipated without leaving an ade-
quate impression upon the public mind.
In the profigate disregard Of those saving
checks and balances, that were intended to
eEsure freedom and good government, has
arisen the positive evil against which the
Liberal movement is resistance and the
offences that have provoked demonstra-
ton formidable in the numbers participa-
ting, and certainly unsurpassed in the deep
and absorbing interest it excited. should
not DO IvoU sIguT or IN calculations OF the
success or defeat Of mere candidates. The
Address, in brief, crisp, nervous sentences,
relates the startling change that few years
have discovered in our Government. Moth
! ing could be less equivocal than its opening
charge that the Administration now in
power has rendered itself guilty of ''wanton
disregard of the laws" and has "usurped
powers not in the Constitution" Here
tOfore, when the popular sensitiveness
has been quicker. disregard of the law
and usurpatiOn would have constituted
ground enough for a revolution. But,
as if insufficient, these grave charges
are supplemented by another, that the Adj
ministration has "acted as if the laws had
binding force only for those who are goVs
erned,'' And this is made direct upon the
President of the United States, whose par
tiSanship, prostitution Of his high Office to1
the promotion of personal ends, corrupt
surroundings, tyrannical arrogance, inter
ference with the political affairs of States
and municipalities, sOrdId acceptance OF
presents, deplorable inefficiency and culpa-
| be carelesSnesS are specifications whose
truth is a national humiliation, and whose
/ results appear in the degradation of the
party and the oppression of the States. The
| concluding belief expressed in the Address,
that an OranizatiOn so led, controlled and
perverted cal4be of g no servlee to the best
interests of the2 epublic is rathec an anti
climax than lCIical deduction tfNm pre-
misses the accuracy # which cannot be dis
puted. The only Appropriate punishment
would seem to be Impeachment and a
deprivation of further pover on the lc2rt OF
the offender the sole remaining sa1eC. OF
the people. 1oo
: The succeeding resolutions are no les
emphatic because explanatory. pne rec
, ognition of equality, the duty OF Justice
the maintenance of union, emanclpatlol
and enfranchlsement, the removal OF dlsa
hilities. the tribute to seEgovernment, th'
4 dnnunciation of abuses in the Civil Service
the preservation of our public domain, art
each and all charges against he Admins
J | tration orite az much as a p attOrm in the
4 technical Specification of the Jhrase. There
+ has been neither equality nor justice N its
treatment of the South. Quarrels have
. heen fomented in these crushed and,un-
t happy communities for the sole purpose OF
d disEuising injustice. Self-gCvernmentE has
Q been everywhere violated, as the proSrip-
= ton in Missouri, the Gatling guns inEew
Orleans, the packing Of delSatlonS il New
e Wi attnst Remorc4 ances and tarn-
l vi ~ ur,onto1l,- r.1fed by Conservatives
: ings repeatedlIYKout effect, and tbe Il0TS nn1S
= nave oeeShhal party has stood aIoof awaif, @
Il great he condemnation of Rep<Lnuo'.
:, Themselves conscious that in such aHht---.'
: rising as the present the rebukeA would be
come even more severe by its delay. Fhl
Address and the Resolutions do not tai
short of anticipation. They were prepared
, deliberately and with a full ana serious ap
,,o;o+ia,. .l-F-onCIOdcLllIleHtS tlPttl dlelSu II
p 6'TGehf and continuance. They are tn
Il nulsation of the popular heart, the voic
. described by Carl Schurz of patriotic cit
: zens rising above the partisan and agai
n breathing as freemen.