New-York tribune., 1874-07-18
WESTERN POLITICS.
MISSOURI AWAKING

DEMANDING REFORM-STRENGTH OF THE NAlu-
oUs PARTIES AND FACTIoNs-THE DEMOCRATS
RFCKIESs TIE GERMANS DISSATISFIED, THE
FARMERS INDEPENDENT DANGERS OF THE
FARMERS oRGANIZAuoN-sENArOR sCHURZ AND
THE NEW MOVEMENT.
trRos An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
ST LOUIS July Have you ever heard the
waking of a camp of cavalry at daybreakf 7 Out of
the sweet silence fresh with the dew of the dawn,
springs the clear sharp note of the first buge, soil
tarv, daring, revolutionary, proclsiming extermina-
tion of sleep and Its fond dreams And in few
seconds the hills are ynging with the tumultuous
voices of bugles. and waking men. and impatient
steeds and the old day and the night which followed
II are gone forever. So. out Of the long silence
which followed the last campaign in Missourl-a
stiffness broken only bv occasional croakings of
mud-loving party bullfrogs-came a bugle-call
from some distant country paper. and before the
politicians have been able to rub their eyes open,
behold! the whole State is aStir. and revolution
has begun.
few days ago The ST Joseph Herald broke silence
by Indignantly saying that the people were tired of
waiting for st. Louis politicians, and were in the
mood 70 begin moving. Immediately atterward call
for Peoples State Convention Sept. ., was issued
by the Farmers Advisory Committee, appointed for
the purpose the last meeting of the State Grange
Thus the Republican State Committee called to
meet July %. party managers apparently having be-
gun to suspect that if they should wait much longer
there would be nobody 10 follow their lead. Imme
diately the old Free-Soil and Republican organ. The
Democrat bluntly declared that, in its Judgment,
the Republicans ought to hold no party convention,
but TO support any honest peoples movement for the
redemption of the State. simultaneously, from
other papers hitherto attached to the Democratic or
Republican party, in different parts of the state,
came independent declarations, and meanwhile,
H., 4 p.
publican strongholds, largely signed calls for
independent local organizations hearty responses
to the Farmers call.
THE PEOPLE DEMANDING REFORM.
To YOU this unplanned and spontaneous Outpour-
ing Of waters through many channels at when
levees long weakened have finally broken VIII not
seem surprising The concurrence of several largely
attended and earnest Farmers conventions III
adjOinng states of itself enough 70 prompt
strong disposition among the people of Missouri to
JON in a similar movement for reform. But, so
wonderful is the blindness Of the Bourbon, that
Democratic managers had really imagined that they
could cheer on the farmers of Iowa. Illinois Kansas.
and Wisconsin to overthrow Republican State ad-
miuistratiOns. without ever suggesting the over
throw of a Democratic administration in this State.
They actually believed. and many still believe, that
10000 farmers of Missouri could be kept con
yenientlv muzzled with old party muZzles while
States all around them were echong with cries Of
reform Strange as this stupidity viii seem, II
seems still more marvellous 10 those who best know
how In this State party barriers have been honey
combed by successive revolutions and how pervadina
and powerful are the elements TO whicA an lnde-
pendent movement appeals.
In ISIS Missouri gave Grant over 5000 majority.
Then the Fifteenth Amendment added 1900 colored
voters 10 the Republican force while Northern and
80. rr-or &
voters % the state of whom. had been repeatedly
proved fully two-thirds Republican. Tins that
party had insured a majority of az least 5000 for
1870 and q margin Of 900 for 1872, 10 neutralize
PARTICIPANTS In rebellion # by that year admitted
10 vote. such was the strength of the Liberal Re
publican movement in 1870, that, with 5000 major
IT'S on party division. the Republicans were beaten
by 400 majority. No one vino examines
the returns OF that remarkable campaign viii doubt
that about 5000 Republicans then followed the lead
Of Schurz in advocating the enfranchsement OF all
citizens Such a revolution inevitably prepares the
minds # multiudes in both parties for independent
action. 1t was impossible that no sympathy OF
cumulative spirit of Independence should arise
among those Democrats who. hailiug enfranchlse-
menj effected by the leadership of the Liberal ele-
ment. Were capable Of apprecatag It's ideas It's
courage, and IT'S fidelity TO convictions.
THE DEMOCRATS BLIND AND RECKLESS.
On the other hand any of the Liberal Republicans
81 Democrats who had honestly hoped for permanent
reform and good government through the agency of
the Democratic organization. soon undeceiyed.
II many counties change Of power brought only
change Of plunder from a Republican 70 a Demo-
cratic ring. In many more. assured Democratic
power brought only increased recklessness IN mas
tery 10 the worst elements Of that party Disorder
mob-aw, deeds OF violence, and raids by organized
baudr+fI f.oqfta ruora frp0urnr and brought the
State into disgrace by defUug the Law with I'M
puuity. Arrest of immi grafton and rapid decline
In the value Of property followed in many locali-
ties The state Government was one OF small steal
incs and great incompeteucy. 4 Arevengeful spirit
of prescription moi in politics only. but IN social
and business rc.ati MS began 70 disturb the pros
peritr of many counties. Il was aimed not only at
Republicans bur az a body ucOns derable neither IN
numbers nor influence of War Democrats old Free
Soil men. OF Benton Democrats who had separated
fTom the Radicals during the OF al the adoption
OF the dslranchising Constitution. and who had
held the front rank in all tine Conservative or
Democratic opposition 10 that measure. II was
with strange ingratitude that some. just enfran-
chsed, sought, by the first Of their power 10
prescribe those who had longest opposed disfran-
chsement But. one after another, the leaders of
the War Free.S0l Democracy have been cut
down by prescription AZ remmseless as ever was
witnessed. Rollins, cOuTtly and eloquent baaisded
from politics by the recollection that he was the
first Free-Sul candidate for Governor: Stephens. A
both popular aud capable, killed in State con-
yenu0n by whisper that be had once supplied
UaIon army al the risk OF his private fortune:
Broadhead. strong and cear-headed. ostracised be-
cause be was once a faithful Provost Marshal;
Glover distinguished for ability, driven from men
ron ln politics because he was Of the Union Safety