Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-23

sTSff' Fl${2Zti0AD{T political party always
sellfSrks a new epoch in the history Of a ma
tion. 1t indicates progress in knowledge,
increased activity of thought, and an adj
vanccd step in the grand march of civliza-
ton. Especially was this true of the Re-
publican party. Under adverse circum-
stances, it engaged in the great conhic. for
the supremacy Of liberty, and the princi-
pies ii put forth, after years of fierce and
sanguinary struggle at length prevailed.
We regret that having accompli. he'd the
purpose for which it was formed, that it,
days should be heightened only to cover
its pristine purity and glory with dishonO..
Our purpose at the present time is not t.
review the earlier history of the party, OF
which we have so much reason to be proud,
but rather TO enquire what is to be its flu
ture.
We must confess that the legislation Of
the last Congress is not very flattering for
tho longevity of the Republican party. If
tho party expects any future beyond lis
present lease of power, it must redeem the
pledges SO recently given 10 the people.
We cannot afford 10 suffer our leaders to
practice deception any longer. Already
they have caused among the masses a chaos
of political opinion such as has not been
witnessed before for many years. The
thinking portion of tho people very well
understand that when our political name
becomes by-word for all nations. VIXEN
fraud and corruption 90 unpublished, y. hrn
Wholesale roberries are unblushiu.N
perpretrated upon the Government, thai
1 Il
In view of an increasing public sentiment
of this character, we may well ask what
course the party intends to pursue in the
futuro2
There is an imperative demand from all
sections of the country for reform, and un-
less this reform originates within the party
itself, its future career will be short. Mem
bers of Congress must lay aside selfish mo-
tiyes and become statesmen in the fullest
broadest sense of the term. Civil service
reform, question of vital importance 10
the nation, must in some manner and to
the fullest extent be carried out. Tho ques-
ton of finance, the most important of pres
ent problems, demands immediate alien
ton. No nation can long prosper if it aims
to circulate for an indefinite period paper
money, or mere promises TO pay for the
pay itself. Judge Collamer made the ablest
speech of his life in opposition to tho uso of
paper as legal currency. The late Chief
Justice Chase, while recognizing the ne
cessity Of the measure, evor advocated as
speedy return to specie payment as pos
sible. Cannot the Republican party Crap
po with this question, and by wise legis-
lation give US a hard money basis again
Ifso, it would confer an inestimable bless
ing upon the laboring classes and merit
another bright page in history.
II is true that public opinion shapes leg
islation, and parties exist only by tho per-
mission of the people. 1t is tho verdicts
which they pronounce from time to time
which influence the leaders of n party more
than any moral convictions or any sense of
honor of personal nature. The people,
then, must demand always of the party
honest legislation. The press, so generally
dumb must speak, for the purpose of edu-
eating the masses. Independence ofthought