The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-08-15
Bricks without Straw.


an invention for making deal boards
from sawdust, was a practical man COM
pared to the gentlemen who are trying
to compose new party out of the rub
bish of last years coalition. We took
the liberty of pointing out, when the
coalition was above ground, that it was
nothing more than passing combina-
ton between interested parties for sell
fish purposes and we were roundly
abused for not conceding respect to the
motives of our political opponents, etc.,
etc. We never could see any good in
pretending respect where it was not felt
nor was deserved, and in this case it
was neither Why should Republican
journals have represented to their read
ers that the contest last year was one
for principles on both sides, and that
while the opposition was mistaken, it
was sincere. In the case of consider
able number of the mere voters, this
might have been true, and that much
was always conceded. But the leaders
were not sincere They We're, for the
most part, pretenders, who, under the
mask of profound desire for reform,
were seeking to crafty their personal
greed OF to feed their personal grudges.
That was evident from the first moment
that the coalition began to be talked
about by the Tammany survivors on the
one hand, and the Liberal Republican
ofiice-seekers on the other. What would
have been the sense or the virtue of con-
cealing these matters, which were as
plain as the day to those who watched
current events closely, and which were
sure to become equally plain to every
body within years time?
If year ago we had spared the coali-
tionists the exposure they deserved, and
to which the people were entitled at our
hands, these gentlemen would them
selves in time have betrayed their char
acter. 1t was all they could do to keep
civil tongues in their heads toward each
other for the weary six months in which
they were i'll league. Defeat has not
added to their powers of selfrcstraint.
They are now busy, with much success,
III proving each others rascality. Only
a day or two since the Liberal organ de-
clared that the Democrats forced them
selves on the Liberals because they
chopped to get into power" and that
they ran to" the coalition without
invitation" This was insulting, and
none the less so because it was in great
part true. There was no lack of invi-
tation" on either side, but that one of
the main motives of the Democrats was
a hope to "get into power" few will
now deny. 1t was not, however, their
sole motive. The paper that pretends
to be the Democratic organ in this city,
and which has gu tie enough meanne,s,
but not enough ability for that position,
put the case very plainly on Saturday.
of the Liberals tsaid "They
hated Gen. Grant and we hated him,
and this common personal hatred was
the bond of union i'll the coalition last
year. Note, not one of several bonds
of union, but the bond of union. We
do not know that any Republican paper
said anything harder of the coalitionists
than this. We are sure none of us said
anyt ling more true. Common per-
sonal hatred is contemplate motive
for political movement in u free coun-
try. Ambition is set down as one of
the lowest incentives of politicians.
Here is something lower, not attributed
in anger or spite to rival politicians, but
confessed. Impudence must be con-
coded to have its uses. 1t sometimes
prompts rogues to cynical admissions
which would not be made by the more
modest.
Naturally, campaign in combination
by parties whose "bond of union" was
a" common personal hatred" and cam
paign resulting in overwhelming defeat,
leaves the leaders in very forlorn con-
dition. The morning paper which made
the frank confession of its own low mo-
tives, just quoted, is engaged in rally
ing Democrats to the support of Demo-
cratic principles. Whereupon an even
ing paper, of the same politics, peril
nently remarks that this is all very well,
but will our contemporary be SO kind
rs to tell us who has settled these doc
trines which we are to support?' % Moth
ing could be more reasonable than this
request. Nothing, however, could be
more hopeless than to undertake to an
swer it, A witty French advocate
;witted with his Inconsistencies retorted
hat he was not paid to believe, but to
make others believe" This is the view
apparently taken of their profession"
Oy the writer's who make unblushing adj
mission of the basest motives. But it is
/ hard case when the advocates on the
same side not only differ as to what
hey are to make others believe" but
rs to whether there is anything worth
keeping up pretenses about. This is
he present condition of the gentlemen
who are carrying on the business of
Democratic Oracles
Nor are the gentlemen who have
)ranched out in the direction of "new
party in any better plight. They fail
rs disgraceiully as the regulation Demo-
ratio authorities to give the slightest
excuse for their political existence. One
If the cleverest of them undertook to
lefine the position of the new party men
II speech at Columbus, Ohio, last
Wednesday. This gentleman, Gen.
Thomas Ewing, has as much ingenuity
md as few scruples as the professional
politician generally. But he did not
to say anything. The New York
'rgan was sorely put to it for compli-
nentary phrase by which to describe
he speech. Finally it hit upon
. breezy" Ewing's was breezy