Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-13
The Lesson of the Election.

Every event has its lesson. and the
recent election, bringing with it de-
feat to the party of pure principles and
just government is no exception to the
rule.
A dominant party under whose ad-
ministration the state has been bless
ed abundantly, has been routed by an
enemy whose greed for Office usurpea
its integrity. and whose lack of princi-
pie prompted its leaders to marshal
all the forces Of vice to attain supre-
macy.
The Republican party is the same
to-day. as when it inau-uratel the
great reforms that have done so much
to purify the political atmosphere, and
elevate humanity. Though defeated,
it is not beaten; its principle are just
IS sacred, its mission not wholly ac-
complished just as holy, as when first
it made its power felt in all the offices
of the government That it has mn lie
cgregious blunders is not to be denied,
but the fact remains upon record that
80 far az could be done, errors have
been retrieved and right made para
mount to all else That wicked, sell
fish and intriguing men have en- lely-
ored to control and shape its policy
is equally true, but the party has cast
them out and discountenanced them as
aliens. A combination Of crcum-
stances have brought defeat upol the
organization. Credit Mobeier and
Back pay, have been twin devils allnr-
ing it into the pit into which it has f.l-
len, though the disgrace of these acts
Of unprincipled men can in nowise at
tach to it, for its enemies are as deeo
in the mud as is the party in the mire,
and while the one is yet covered with
the filth of the political pool, the other
stands purified and cleansed by its
own action, and the utter renuncia ION
of the men who were their aiders and
abettors.
In Louisiana the Government blum
dercd most foolishly, but the Party
offered no apology for the course pur-
sued.
In matters pertaining to the State,
we have been weakened because of the
manly and consistent course of our Tx
ccutive. The united liquor interests
we're against us because our legislature
dared to pass a stringent temperance
law. In the great contest We were
obliged to contend against al! the
monopolics and monied corporations
within the state, whose forces were
marshaled to crush the power that
would not yield to their imperative de-
mands and the strange anomaly Is
presented, of class Of men prcten ling
to fight against railroad monopolcs nm
der the banner Of reform, standing
shoulder to shoulder with the very men
who are crushing them, and who 90
posed the man who has. in his efforts
to crush monopoly, incurred the ever
lasting displeasnre of those enen;e,
whom they, by their ballots have fo;st,
ed an to power.
The recent financial panic. too. has
caused che cry to 90 cut, "anythirg for
change, as ridiculous. as disastrous
and finally. thirty thousand Republic
ans belonging TO the home guards
were too lethar@ie 90 give dav Tor
the maintenance Of pure principles.
We therefore CLEAN this lesson from orr
defeat. Aspiring dcmagoguas must be
dlscoun;cnancei. Safe and rise com
sells should enter into the aln,s.istra-
ton OF governmental affairs always. and
that course OF policy pursued Which
will redouned to the greatest good Of
the greatest number Pure principIes
must be advocated by pure men and
neither clique or faction be re.ar,iea
above vital interests ever, and finally
the masses OF the people must be elu-
Gated up to the idea that the elective
franchise is God given right, aS "a
ore.i As liberty, and sast 70 5ae4f- ne
Lit hcr tincion.nd 49,. -