The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-05-13

eSts OI INC many. lie reSuItb OF the
elections we're no longer awaited by
those in power; they were foreordained
in conclave. Whenever the control of
national affairs was at stake, no strata.
gem was too violent, NO tactics too high
handed, to be called in requisition by
those in power TO maintain their grip.
1t was not only natural that scandalous
abuses should exist in the administra.
ton Of affairs under such dispense
ton, but it was inevitable, because
these things were done for the purpose
Of gaining and retaining opportunity
to perpctuate the abuses. The mana
gers of the party in power debauched
the ballot box with the same intent that
burglar picked the bank lock, that
they might gain access to the treasure
vaults and plumber them. Those who
now hold power value it not for its own
sake, nor for the honors Of public sta.
ton, but for the sake of emolumcnts,
perquisites, and "chances." The whole
motive that impclled cooperation be-
tween the money power and the repub.
lican party managers was sordid
greed of wealth that no amount of
gorging could satia,o, because the sor.
did appetite was one that only grew
| with feeding.
There was something to be admired
l in srch character ns that of the hrs'
Napoleon, who conquered for con-
quests sake, and who loved power for
the sake of the greatness it gave to his
name. But those who usurped simply
that they might rob, and those who OPP
pressed simply that they might cxtort,
were detestablo and nothing more.
This sort of thing had gone on and on
until the hearts Of the people had fin.
ally been reached by way of depleted
pockets. and tho reaction had set in.
The difference between the present Fit.
uation and that of twenty years ago,
was that then the bosoms of the people
were reached directly by sense of moral
wrong wrought upon their fellow. mon;
whereas now they were being reached
by sense Of material wrong wrought
upon themselves. The question now
was not merely, shall VIC resume specie
payment? nor, shall VIC permit Louisi.
ana to regulate her own affairs? nor,
shall VIC reform the civil service? nor,
shall We regulate the power of corpor
ntions? nor, shall we purge the Judi
ciary! nor, shall We reduce the tariff?
The issue that is upon us is simpler
than any Of these; vaster than ali of
them: Shall tho people gorra hcm-
setres?
1t is no time to talk of the incidents
OF governmental policy when the very
nature Of the government is at stake.
A single proposition relating to a spe.
cifc object Of ordinary public concern
will not do for tho issue of campaign
when a question Involving all objects
OF public concern is undecided. 1t
will not do for the people 10 consume
their time and energies contcndinc
about surface affairs, when au insidious
agency is at work consuming the very
right of the people to contend about
affairs at all.
The public mind is now called upon
to pass Judgment, no. 40 to who shali
farm out the patronage, but as to how
the rights Of the whole people shall be
protected against the encroachment of
class. An oligarchy is in power; it
is daily ccntralzing its forces, narrow.
ing its confidential limits, drawing
itself aloof from tho people, and in.
trenching itself beyond their reach.
1t has already struck down senators,
degraded representative men of the
people, and spurned their counsels. 1t
has shown that its will for evil grows
apacc with its growth in facility for
wrong doing, and every day that tho
great issue with it is delayed, the diff
Guilty in dislodging it is enhanced.
Let no one be deceived into believing
that temporary internal discussions
among the leaders will prove fatal to
the oligarchy. The cohesive force that
holds it together is that Of public plum |
Ter, and any nenace to the pcrpotuity |
If its power will instantly silence all |
.umult in its camp and turn its united |
md bristling front against any effort to
lislodge it from the White House and
he treasury. These leaders, united
by mutual knowledge of each others
corruption, will never war upon each
other when the fortunes of the whole
gang are at stake. They can be ousted
only by the people, and a few years
more OF popular lcthargy, inaction and
lcqulescencc may put that consume.
ion beyond possibility. Hence, now
) the time to act. And Mr.. Schurz
proposes to DO at the iron. in the
ction. This is his view of the situa.
ion, and his conception of the proper
'ay to graprle with it.
Mr.. Schurz has closely and critically
'atchod the working of political AT.
hrs in Missouri for some time.
'eeply engros,cd as he has boon in
no discussions Of tho Senate, and
usy as he has been engaged in the
ask of rejecting upon his State an
'onor and giving her name weight
n the national councils unenjoyed be-
ore since Benton's time, he has vet
ound time to keep up lively CORE
'pondenee and maintain keen under.
standing as to the tendency of things
n Jefferson City, in St. Louis and
the state nj large. Uc no.