Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-09-24
THE DUTY OF REPUBLICANS.

ALF. DOTEN, ., Edltsr and Proprietsf.
THE DUTY OF REPUBLICANS
We have quoted somewhat extern
siyely from the Boston Advertiser,
which has latterly published some very
sound and wholesome articles upon
the duty of honest men and Republic
can, to the party and to themselves.
The Advertiser represents that element
which organized the party, which
fought Its fight in 1856, and won Its
first victory in 1850. 1t Is the expo
nent of all those Intelligent and con-
scientious electors who have Joined
the party believing its principles pure ;
Its aims honest; and who have stead
lastly adhered to both party and prin-
clples up to the present time. The
late campaign In Massachusetts,, which
la. resulted In the nomination equiv
alent to An electionl Of Washburne for
Governor, opened Its eyes to the OBJ
vious dangers to the party and to pop
ular safety, resulting from the inter-
ference of Federal othce-holders and
the use Of Federal patronage In State
elections, aud 1t came out in a series
Of strong articles condsmnatory Of
these practices and In favor Of q rad
ical reform In this and other essential
particulars. It exhibited to the peo-
pie tho true situation Of affairs, the
animus Of the Butler movement, and
the dangers Of its success, and warned
Republicans everywhere that the
men and forces which had latterly OBJ
tanned control Of the party, were In
imlcal to It's best interests and would
II they still retained power DO fatal to
its future capability for good; and
finally subversive OF all freedom In
local elections. 1t condemned In Wig
o-ous language any participation In
such elections, except as voters, BY
Federal officials, and Indignantly de-
nounced the methods Of intimidation
employed by Collectors, Postmasters.
etc., to coerce their subordinates into
voting for candidates In whom they
had no confidence.
The principles and practices which
the ddeertiser has thus attacked. 1t will
not be denied, have latterly exercised
great influence and obtained vast sway
IN our State elections. In California
during the past campaign it was e.
pecially noticeable that the influence
Of Federal officials was all In one d.
r~ection, and not only so, but was ag-
gressive In Its character. Tho right
Of a person holding office BY appoint
ment from Washington, to exercise
the privilege Of any other elector In
local interests, and to cast his vote rs
he pleases, will not be denied. The
evil complained Of Is the custom
which, unfortunately, has latterly
been almost universal J among Federal
office holders Of taking advantage Of
the patronage conferred by the Office
held, to coerce s%ubordinates and Others
over whom their influence extends in-
to supporting men for State offices,
who are either their personal friends or
presumably II not publicly favored BY
the Administration. The tendency Of
this practice Is to place In positions OF
local responsibility, not the men best
fitted for their duties, but those who BY
some method have curried favor with
the leaders Of the party In power.
The attempt to control the primaries
OF Boston and other cities In
Massachusetts by these methods
Is what has elected such m Indignant
protest from the Adrertiser and many
other staunch Republican journals,
and IL perhaps one Of the best results
of the late attempt to Butlerize the
Republican party in that State. The
rank and file of Republicans are united
in devotion to their party organiza-
ton. They venerate its principles
and look with pride upon Its record.
United in the years OF darkness which
preceded Its first victory, welded to-
gether by the fiery heat OF battle, and
strengthened by the glorious successes
which 1t has achieved, they are still
jealous Of popular freedom, and will
not brook interference with their home
institutions or local affairs, ven by
those men whom they have elevated
to the highest national offices. In this
independence Of thought, this absence
Of servility to party dictation or the
tyranny Of strict p~artisanship, and In
their readiness to repudiate assumption
and condemn corruption, the Republi-
cans of Massachusetts have proved
themselves worthy Of the name, and
the platform Of principles adopted By
their convention at Worcester, CON-
mands respect as a true enuncia-
ton Of their ideas and desires. The
Advertiser, and those other Republican
journals which have boldly flung down
the gauntlet to Butlerism and Its at
tendant corruptions, deserve and will
have, so long as this course is followed,
the respect and confidence Of the hon
est and Intelligent, who we believe
comprise the great mass of Republican
frcemen. In concluding this article,
we quote from a late editorial In the
Advertiser, which after declaring that
its fight has not been made against
Republicanism, but against the per-
versions and c%orruptions Of Republi-
canism, and insisting thar II tho party
Is to be saved the work Of reformation
must begin at onc and be prosecuted
I'm earnpst aida these words of warn