Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-02-26
THE PARTY OF REFORM.

~
g. We are not among those who believe
that the Republican party has fulfilled
its mission and that it must benceforth
disintegrate and die and its members
merge into some other organization found
ed upon mere issues that may arise in the
future or THAT exist at present in the im>
Imagination Of a certain class Of pcliti>
clans. The Republican party has been q
party of progress and reform. II has
done moro to wipe out sold forms Of foul
disease that were praying upon the vital
forces and sapping the very foundation Of
the Republic than any organization that
has existed since its establishment. And
if reforms are still needed, which there
doubtless are, why should it not apply its
cleaning, revivifying remedies to them in
the future as it has done in the past? 1t
is composed of the most enlightened and
progressive mon in the country and if re-
forms are TO be worked, wrongs redressed
or impending evils combatted ard avoided
it is evident they are the men who must
do it. ~
Is amy one so imbccile as to suppose the
men who have wrought such grand achieve
ments in the past will be unfelt and un>
heard Of in the future. Certainly not.
They arc the men to whom We must look,
not only to work reforms but to discover
their necessity. With strong fundament.
al principles Of right and justice instilled
into their minds by nature and education
they are the only men qualified properly
for the work, 1t is urged by some that
tho name rust be changed. We
can see no necessity for this. We are
building up a Republican form of Gov
eminent and the title Republican for the
organization that has done and is still do.
Ing everything toward the accomplish
Mcnt Of that object is certainly a very
appropriate one. If others seek the same
cbjoct who have heretofore been identi.
fed with other parties lot them unite with
US, the association will be congeDial and
they will be held up, encouraged and
strengthened by it. On the principle
that union is strength they will be ena.
bled to accomplish more good in conue
ton with o strong, vigorous, healthy or
ganization like the Republican party than
they CON with q weak one. Let their OBJ
iect DO not 50 much to build up the party
for party's sake, but to purge it Of every
element that is not consistent with homes.
ty, justice and christianity and through
it build up the country by fostering and
encouraging religion, education, temper
ance and everything that tends to ~civilizo
the nation. To accomplish this many
things arc necessary tc be done. q se1
First and foremost we must have hon
est men IN Office. and they must not only
be honest, bnbithey must be qualified both
morally and intellectually to discharge
the duties incumbent upon Them in q dig.
.ni6sd, COZ ientious mid intelligent man,
Bad men must be hurled from power.
NO matter what party affiliations they may
have Eformeds Their ability to do evil
mus. be destroyed by the prompt and de-
ciciye verdict of tho people they have be,
trayed, for in this way and this way alone
catwe hopcto prosper, to DO respected
ASA people and to have our interests pro.
perly cared for.
Then let the watchword be still for
Reform and let it commence at the foun.
tain head with'the corrupt ofice-holders
cfahe country. otherwise our labor will
be in vain, l-N8 ss vs. go So "
COMMUNICATIONS.