Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-06-18

No student Of our political history
will deny that the Republican party
shows within its ranks both an inde-
pendence of criticism and readi-
ness of reform which no other great
and dominant party has ever shown,
and which is good sign of its real
vitality, and an augury of its con-
tinued and deserved supremacy.
The Democratic party, which was SO
long in the ascendant, became steadi-
ly more corrupt, more and more be-
sotted with slavery, scorning the
chance which Douglas offered it of
assuming virtue which it did not
have, until it sunk beneath the
wrath and contempt of the people.
But it is the praise Of the Republi-
cans that their press denounces most
strenuously NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
every kind, and that the Congress
which they control scrutinizes inn
partially and severely the conduct of
administrative officers, and that Re-
publican officers are removed and
Republican laws repealed when such
action is plainly proper. The effect
of all this upon the country is evil
dent. AS there is no great dividing
issue, aud as the chief question at
this time is one OF administration,
the wish of the country is To know
whether the dominant party is like
ly to purify its own conduct OF affairs
or whether honest men must turn to
the Democratic party in hope Of re-
lief, invoking ills it knows not of.
That this would be the meaning Of
any considerable change Of sides at
the election Is well understood. 81
am dissatisfied / think that | must
vote the Democratic ticket, and see
what comes Of it," is the, expression
Of certain class. But nobody, ex-
cept Democrat, says that he expects
of course greater honesty and purity
from Democratic administration.
Within the few past months the
Republicans have had the good sense
and courage to repeal the "salary
grab" act, for which, although
warmly supported by many Demo
Gratis, they must, as the majority,
bear the responsibility. They have
abolished in the House the moiety
system, after thorough examina-
ton conducted by Republican com
mittee. They have repealed the
Sanborn contract law, passed by q
Republican Congress, and they have
solemnly censured, in adopting the
report OF the Committee Of Ways and
Means, the Republican Secretary, the
Assistant Secretary and Solicitor Of
the Treasury. They have thorough
ly investigated the management of
the District of Columbia under the
Territorial system established by Re-
publicans, and it Is understood that
the report will deal as vigorously
with the results as the other COM
mittees and reports have dealt with
the other abuses which have been
exposed. The great scheme of infia-
ton, although passed by both Hous-
es, was powerfully opposed by the
most eminent Republican leaders,
and was supported by the divided
Democratic as well as Republican
vote, while the Republican Presi-
dent, in accord with the spirit of the
national declaration Of the party,
promptly vetoed it.
These more prominent events OF
the last six months show, at least,
that the Republican party is not
!" hide-bound.n Meanwhile its press
has spoken in unmistakable tones.
Press and platforms began last au-
tumn to demand inquiry and reform
and both have been constantly SLIM
ulated by the press, which has not
hesitated to demand the removal OF
the second officer Of the cabinet and
his immediate assistants. Mean
while Butlerism" has sensibly
declined. The member OF Congress
who is not member OF the House
il General Butler. The same gentle
man Is he who is not likely to be the
next Republican Governor OF Massa-
chusetts. But there was a general
disposition not very long since to
consider Republicanism and Butler
ism synonymous, and to smile at the
suggestion that the general had not
y mastered the party. The situa-
tim Of the southern States, ak0, has
IA J. escaped tha observations mia, the