Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-10-02
Republican Reform.

1t is no secret that many of the most
earnest Republicans finds some things in
the management of the party to dlsap-
prove, and are profoundly anxious for
some wholesome reforms. There are
many true men still adhering to the Re
publican party in spite of its short-com-
ings, in the hope that these reforms may
be accomplished without cutting loose
from their old political associations. They
are as yet impressed with the belief that
it is far easier to renovate and purify the
party that has governed the country fol
the last dozen years, and still maintains
the ascendency in a large majority of the
States, than to start bran new organiza
ton and bring it into power. Were there
otherwise a chance of success for such g
movement, the resuscitation of the ole
Democratic party as it was before the
pretending self-annihilating surrender Of
last year-as it was before and through
the war of the Rebellion-would be an in
seperable obstacle.
Until the old Bourbon, ultra State
Rights party is put out of the way, finally
and forever, the Republican party, even as
1t Is, must continue to win victories
througho the Union, and maintain a
triumphant ascendance in national affairs
securing Republican reform-and much
more, an essential preliminary to the for
nation Of any new party that will be re.
spectacle in numbers and power-is such
an overwhelming defeat of the Bourbon
Democracy as will disrupt and disband
its present organization forever
This is, consequently, the grand issue
forced upon US i'll the present canvass by
the action OF the Thurman-Allen Democ-
racy IN this State, and upon the voters OF
every other State in which this pernicious
effort to revive and rehabilitat, the old
Democracy has been followed Intelli
gent voters, thoroughly in earnest for re.
form, cannot fail TO see this, and fully un-
derstanding the situation, they should
cast their votes accordingly. When the
old Democratic party no longer "lags SUI.
perffuous on the STAGE" when the people
no longer have reason to dread the conse-
quences of its successful revival, and
when they cease to fear its restoration to
power, then will come the direct issue be-
fore the people between whatever is best
and worst IN the dominant party as it now
exists
That degeneraey and corruption have
always tendency to creep into a party
long holding scarcely-disputed control is
too painfully true. As we have repeatedly
pointed out, there is need today of vital
reforms in Government affairs, and espe-
cially in Congress. There was discredita-
bic work done by the last Con
gress which must be undone The tone
OF that body must be elevated. Corrup-
ton must be repressed with a strong
hand. Economy must be rigidly main
tanned. National legislation must be
made Durer and con fOrmed moro otrictI, -
to the interests and welfare of the peOple
represented, and less to the greed and
self-seeking of representatives,. There is
room for greater economy and a higher
standard of action in the executive admin.
istratIon. For these ends we pledge our
selves to labor with earnesmess, and we
believe the great mass of the Republican
party of Ohio will be with us in these eli
forts. If not, so much the worse for the
party in the future.
The signs are unmistakable that the
people, confiding in Republican promises
to this effect, and abhorring the idea of
again cntrusting power to the spoiled"
Democracy, 50 long and so Justly repu-
dated, will give a decided verdict in
favor of the Republican party at the COM
ing election in Ohio. All real friends of
reform, for the reasons we have indicated,
should help to render the coming defeat of
Allen and Thurman as overwhelming as
possible. Then, should there be a failure
OF the effective reforms demanded, let the
issue come between whatever is good and
bad, right and wrong, in the several
branches of the Government. Let the
people then take up the contest against
all public wrOngdoing, and God speed
the right iHClnHIfi Times