Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-07-02
Men as Well as Principles.

WAdlCNCt ludy NC Tile OplulOu VI Tile
enemies of what is known as the farm
er's movement, one thing is certain,
and that is, the time has at last ar
rived when the producing classes
have determined to measure swords
with monopolies which ignore the
best interests Of the people, and which
are governed by the rule or ruin prin-
ciple.
The masses of the people have dow
reached point where protesting is
about to be merged into prompt and
decisive action. Men as well as prin-
ciples. is hereafter to be he motto in
scribed on the banner of the working
men and women of our great industrial
republic.
Every where there is an abiding con-
viction, and an evidence of a fixed re-
solve to reform existing abuses of ma
tional or local character. There is be-
ing manifested a power that has hither-
to patiently submitted to the corrupt
ing influence of gigantic corporations.
That power is destined to work COM
plete reform. 1t will destroy the hopes
of professional office-seekers and wire-
pullers that throng our cities and villa
ges, and which are as numerous as the
venomous insects ON the banks of the
Nile.
There is being manifested on the part
of the farmers ana mechanics DISPOSE
ton to set aside all the old systems that
have eliminated in fraud and monopo-
ly, and inaugurated new era of self
dependence. 1t is already resolved that
they will no longer careiessly cast a
single vote for men who have an Office
seeking reputation, but for men in the
noblest, truest sense of that term-men
who can show a clsar record, and poss-
ess unquestionable integrity, frmness,
purity, and integrity. The people are
becoming thoughtful, ana the country
will be saved. They are beginning to
inquire who is Col. Tom Scott, that now
controls the Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey or Garrett, who
governs Maryland; or Vanderbilt,
whose influence penetrates the Legis-
lature of every State through which
railroads pass that he controls? 1t is
well that thought is taking the place of
the listless indifference that has charac-
terized the masses of the people In
reference to these giant monopolies. 1t
is well thst they have resolved to In
sist that their representatives IN local,
State and national offices shall here
after be servants and not masters that
they shall possess clean hands and clear
heads, and have some sense of the re-
sponsibility of the position they occu-
py, and their obligation to their con-
stituents. 1t is an alarming condition
Of things, and shows too plainly to
what depths we have fallen, when it is
fashionable for the representatives of
the people to out-Judas Judas in be-
traying the trust that is reposed in
them, and when retired in the shades
of private life are recognized as the
equal and fit associate of honest men
instead of being regarded and treated
as they should be, as citizens of the
worst possible character. Away with
such sycophancy and fawning. Politics
must be purified or the nation is lost.
The purchase of votes, directly or in
directly, is an offense that should meet
the prompt and unqualified condemna-
ton of all good men OF all parties. Let
us arouse from the criminal careless
ness that has brought us to the very
verge of ruin, and resolve that hence
forth our watchword shall be, not
the fatal dogma of principles and not
men," but that of "men as well as
principles. --Coleman's Rural World.