Litchfield enquirer., 1873-03-13
THE PROSE ECT.

When gloomy-minded Republicans
 predict defeat in New Hampshire and Connecticut as the result of the Credit
 Mobiier revelations and salary swindles
 of the last Congress, we imagine they mis- apprehend the condition of affairs. Un. occasionally the faith of Republicans
 Tn their Congressional leaders is greatly
 shaken. Were new Cincinnati conven- tion, uncontrolled by party hacks, to
 start movement for genuine reform, we judge that it might sweep the country. But we doubt whether even the shock of
 recent Congressional doings and disclos-
 ures is powerful enough to galvanize the
 corpse of the old Liberal Republicanism ! into the semblance of life.
 The only issue in the New Hampshire
 and Connecticut elections is between the old Democratic and the old Republican
 organizations {; we cannot justly say be-
 tween the old Democratic and the old Republican principles, for that issue is practically abandoned. The simple ques-
 tion is whether we could expect purer administration of affairs from the Demo cratic than from the Republican organiza- ton, as those organizations now exist.
 We see no reason for any such expecta-
 ton. Did not proportionally more Dem
 oorats than Republicans vote to put the peoples money in their pockets by the salary swindle? Would Louisiana under
 Warmoth have purer government than Louisiana under Kellogg2 Very few Democrats have been elected to the new national Senate, but is not one of them, Bogy, of Missouri, tainted with the sus- picion, having bought his seat after the manner of Caldwell and Pomeroy? Has Democracy made head anywhere against the monster corporations that are threat, ening out independence In Connecti- cut, at least, the only opposition to our tyrant corporation has come from the Re- publican party. ...t. t:s-
 The renomination of Mir. William H. Barnum by the Democracy of this district throws flood of light on Democratic purity" In 1867 the Republicans of this District nominated P. T. Barnum, mainly because he had money and certain local politicians wanted juicy campaign. The Democrats made counter the nomination of William H. Barnum because he had more money still and more opportunity for cor rupting influence. The Republican par ty was deservedly and ignominously beat en at its own weapons; and the Congress sional investigation which followed show ed degree of corruption most disgrace ful to both parties. For two successive terms Mir. Barnum was nominated simply because his money and influence were ex- pected to make the District surely Demo- cratic, and to help that State ticket. No one claims that MT. Barnum has been an industrious or an efficient member of ei- ther of the three Congresses in which he has sat. It would be unreasonable to ex- pect anything of the kind from one who is also president of two railroad compa- nies and the manager of various large companies smelting and manufacturing iron in this and other States. Why then should he, of all others, be honored with a fourth nomination to Congress Is it because he is the representative of politi- cal purity or of political impurity? It is but fair to say that, so far as we know, his career in Oougress hos boon on hoaast one. Our objection to him is that his re- lation to the Fourth District is like that of the great English land-holder to the seat in the House of Commons he prac- tically owns, rather than that of an Amer ican representative to an American con- stituency. It is his money and home in- fuence that make successful politician of MT. Barnurn, not any career of his at Washington. While we concede, there fore, that the renomination of Mir. Bar mum may be a judicious political maneu- vre, it is practical abandonment by the Democracy of all claim to be considered the party of purity. Such a course may save them this Congressional District; it is a confession of weakness in the State at large. .. tt-"1 'ti ...