River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-06-23
The Political Pot.

Inc question Vi VINO shal' pe ouI
next officers, county, state and national,
now engrosses the attention of the more
active men in all parts, and will very
soon be the leading political topic
among the masses. And this is well.
Political subjects are too much neglect
ed by the masses; quite too long have
they left these questions to be disposed
of by the few; quite too long have they
practiced upon the theory that the So
called politicians and statesmen should
dole out to them a moiety from time to
time which they must swallow without
hesitation, and regardless of conse-
quences.
But the complexion and character of
political parties are now undergoing
radical change, and long established
usages and customs are being ignored.
Still the necessity for political parties
seems to exist, and for aught we can
discover, it will exist for long time to
come.
The campaign of 1872 shook up the
political elements of the country tre-
mendously, and every thing seemed to
be gravitating towards common GEN.
ter. But a new light arose in the
hemisphere in the shape of those Silver
Greys who darted out of the old Re-
publican party, and mounted the Greedy
horse. Among them were some of the
best mon Of the nation, and they form
ed an array of talent, though not Of
numbers, which challenged the admit
ration of the nation. When we look at
their leaders and their history, this
fact cannot be successfully denied. To.
day we accord strength to those Silver
Greys, even in our own midst, and
their united strength and influence, 1T
is folly to ignore. Like the Abolition
lists of by-gone days, these men acted
purely from principle. They are not
buried in the ruins, as many seem to
suppose, but they still stand in our
midst, shining brighter from the ef-
fects of the fire which tried them. To
them we pay this tribute because we be-
lieve they deserve it.
While we do not believe they will
ever rise and succeed as party, they
will yet form an important element in
a new party which must eventually
arise from the men and principles, and
not from the ruins of both the old par :
ties which now claim bodily xistence.
The political pot is beginning to boil.
A small fire has been kindled here, and
another there, and soon, very soon will
its contents be rapidly changing places.
One particle will sink while another
rises, and positions from right to left
will be rapidly sought. As the fire in
creases, in the very nature of things,
such a result is inevitable. Politician S
may adjust their fires as best they may,
and the result is uncertain.
The contents of the pot are medley
of every conceivable thing or principle
that ever existed in the political world
and of their specific gravity, no man
can form - adequate idea. Here are
the old line Democrats, the old line
Republicans, the new line Silver G:eys,
the new line Changers, the mls-named
Reformers, and SO on, and SO forth, and
who can adjust the fire, or predict the
ultimate result? We predict no imme-
date change, because the fires are not
yet hot enough to produce it; but
when these elements begin to melt
from the increasing heat which sur
rounds them, then, let US ask, who will
descend to the bottomg And who will
come to the surfacel Let time answer
these questions.