The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-11-28
THE CONTEST OF 1875.

held a, indianapolis on Tuesday to take pre-
liminary steps towards organizing the grand
army of repudiationists for the presidential
contest of 1876. But though called as state
convention, and expected to be attended by
thousands of enthusiastic rag money DEUS
ionists, the convention was but thinly attend
ed. and its proceedings were tame and life
less. However, call was directed to be is
sued for national convention of the infla-
tionists, to be held at scme future day to NOM
mate presidential candidates COR that party in
1876.
There has, since .nc November elections,
been great deal of cogltation and specula-
ton as 10 what these elections really meant
and what heir bearing will be upon the
presidential contest Of rs. These Indiana
wlseac-es had Jumped to the conclusion tha'
the November vc-d;ct was in favor OF rag
money infation, anG that all that was no"
necessary 20 insure :. victory III 20 was
prompt organization and preparation ior 'he
battle It is hoped, however the aeau laii'
ure OF their convention had the effect to pen
citrate their skulls with At least suspicion
that there might be some mistake as to the
entire accuracy Of their Interpretation OF
the November expression of the people.
There il nothing more obvious to common
sense than that the extraordinary result OF
the November elections had very little refer
encc East or West, to the currency, tariff, or
any other great question of congressional
policy. All over New England both parties
substantially occupied the same position on
the tariff add currency questions and If any
national issue, whatever entered into the con
test, they were such as home rule and civil
service reform, IL Ohig and Indiana on the
Other hand, both parties virtually took the
ground OF free trade and currency imitation;
while on these same questions in Illinois
both parties were divided and on both sides
of the fence.
The inevitable CorOllaiy, Therefore, IS, that
it was not because the people wanted inda
lion, or free trade, or home rule or q vigor-
Gus and effective civil service reform--any
one of these or all combined they hurl-
ed the republican patty from power; out it
was simply because they were tired ofrepub-
lcan rule-convinced of the Utter corruption
of that party and the incompetency Of its
leaders, and desired change. THIS Is all,
In the East the vote was in favor Of the hard
money democracy; in Ohio indiana, &c, in,
favor Of the soft money democracy; and 10
ILLINOIS, Michigan and Minnesota the COP.
position won the laurels. The people seem.
ed to be thoroughly imbuea with the spirit of
of the Iippcrary row, when you see q re-
publican head, hit it.
What then, in snch view is the rational
horoscope OF the presidential contest of 1876 :?
Unless some occurrences low wholly IN
dreamed of intervene the contest of 1915 prom
ises to DC one Of the mostdegrading and des-
reputable in our political history. The re.
publicanS will hold their national convention
first in about May, 1876 and will nominate
some such man as Blaine or Morton for the
presidency; but the platform they will adopt,
on the great issues Of currency ard tariff
will be wishy-washy, degrading roncom.
initial affair, completely lodging both cues
tions, and ID fact all questions that ought to
enter into the contest ns vital issues, Then
the democracy" will follow with their ma
lional convention, and except that on the sui
jects Of home rule civil service reform
and the government Of The South something
like definite and positive ground will be talk
en-, the great questions Of currency and free
trade will also be mserably sIoshed over and
lodged. II is possible, in their disgust, the
hard money men may attempt 4 third party |
and tao cheap transportation men,
&c, a fourth party but IN the main
the contest will be between the republicans
and democrats; and a5 no definite issues on |
vital questions of public policy will be n,:s!e
up between them, the 1eht will be one of
personalities. she themes OF tie /
stump speakers yituperative assaults by the /
opposing party leaders on each other. with |
charges of apprehension aud dtsioyalty |
against the democrats and ncgrophobia, gen
eral stealing and corruption against the re-
pubicans Substantially the fight will be as
much without live issues As was that in the
recent elections, and as, In the meantime, the
republican patty will have done nothing to
redeem itself from the odium into which it
has fallen, substantially the result will be
The same.
THE gRANGERs
4 note from j = Armstrong. Esn. trcns. |