The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-10-23
LAST YEAR AND THIS.

Last year the Farmers ticket wss
successful In this county. In the
NOV meDt last year there was no
fight ON the Republican party
There was no declaration of wal.
1t was simply an effort to bring for.
ward and make prominent the agri.
cultural interests of the country
which all felt had been neglected.
Tho true friends of tho agricultural
interests did not wish to make all
others subservient TO 1t, or to make
IL hobby TO secure Office. For
many::years the interests of corpora
tions and money had been promi-
nent, especially in legi station. The
fight last fall, so far as we under
stood its true spirit, was to call up
and agitato the great productive in
tercsts of the State that they might
receive duo consideration. Or
course there were a few political
schemers who hoped and desired to
run that movement as an engine to
further their ambitions, even if they
run IL into the Democratic party.
But the mass of intelligent farmers
meant no such thing by what was
called the grest Farmers movement,
last year. Another aim OF the
movement last year was to demon
strate to the Republican party that
there was force IN its ranks, most
ly latent except at the ballot box,
which demanded better condition
of things-a reform of certain abus-
cs which had crcpt into tho party.
1t might be said the demonstration
was u threat. On the part of the
great majority in last years move
ment, who always act from princi-
pie, there was no intention of leaV-
ing the Republican party If the de-
mands for reform were acceded to.
Good results have followed that
movement, and more will come.
Great reforms cannot be made in
this country in day. This body of
men are the great reform element in
the party. They can and will con-
troll It, and bring "reform within
the party" They arc pledged to
the country to such a work, and they
S0iH accomplish il. They will not
tear down, but they will purify.
The case IL entirely different this
fall. At the first meeting in this
county this yeart he leaders, some
of whom had been "warmed into
life" by tho Farmers movement last
year, proclaimed bitter and unre-
leutless war on the Republican par
ty. They declared that to be their
aim and object. The party was de-
nounced and libelled without stint,
and bold ground was taken in favor
OF the Independent Reform" move
ment. No compromise would do
them. They must go to the opposi-
ton. Right there We took issue
with them, and IL has been said we
have changed front. Not so at all.
We have always been Republican,
and could not go with the oppose
ticn to the old party, especially as
20 promised nothing better for the
country
No sooner had the State Reform
convention committed the terrible
and inexcusable mistake of nomins-
ting the weakest State ticket ever
put before the people, than the lead
ors of tho Reform movement took
little "fop," and endangered to re-
vive the. Farmers movement of last
fall. They thought they could Sc
cure their object, to-wit: get offices
easier that way than 10 work under
the head of"Reform." so they call
ed q convention, and changed the
name 10 the Farmers, Mechanics
and workingmen's party. The
trick was too transparent. The log
ic of events was against them. And
Il is now, a. in every other county
and state, u square fight between the
Republican and Democratic parties.
That is the exact shape in which the
matter stands this year. We are a
believer Gin the right OF boiling
when we can do better thing for
the country by doing SO. Bnt TAX
ing the tickets of the two parties
through, we do not hesitate 10 say
with very few exceptions the Re-
publican is tho best in every respect.
As to the principles at stake, there
Is no comparison. In voting we
should do nothing TO encourage the
Democratic party. Every vote for
the Reform ticket will have the eff
feet to weaken and destroy the Re-
publican and build up the Demo-
cratic party. Under these circum-
stances we think no Republican, at
least, can hesitate as TO his duty.
Col. Fred. Grant, the Presidents