Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-27

q people are nor what any PolItLcaI
party make them, only indirectly. 4
party as what the people make 1t d.
rectly. a people may be Tenal, and
corrupt in u.-ag things, and a party of
principle he ia nowise responsible for
such venality and corruption, but a
party, if corrupt, adhering to It's cor
ruption with no effort to cleanse its
/ pollution can hold the people respousi-
! bic for It's vile condition. It has been
urged that the corruption which has
cropped out and in certain localities
has made It's hateful presence felt in
the republican organization. IS incident
to that party. We claim otherwise.
It is a fact that cannot be successfully
disputed that the disreputable men,
who have found their way into the re-
publican ranks have been forced there
:, to a great extent by other than repub-
lican votes, OF through republican in
fuence. A party in the ascendant,
having at its disposal the distribution
( Of positions and government emolu-
ments, viii have, as all parties have
ever had, the notifying knowledge
that Iecherous and unprincipIed men
are seeking admission to the fold, not
I by the open door, but by clambering
over the walls Of partition. boosted by
courteous demagogues, and helped when
once in to The insignia Of rank by 9th
er than truly loyal hands. The Re-
publican Earty is the party of true
ideas, all thai is truly noble and genu-
Inc in politics inheres in that organisa-
ton. Its the outgrowth of the anti
slavery element-the fruit of the seed
sown by such men as Giddings. Chase,
Sumner, Smith, Hale and host of
others Of a quarter OF a century ago.
Such men have made the party and Of
like timber is it composed to-day,
All other organizations outside of
its picket lines, are but the shavings
of from le Cd trunk Of Democracy,
whose seduction by the slave power is
a fact Of history; whether they be
New Departments, " "Anti-Corrup-
uonists, - .'Anei-NonopoTsts" or Re
formers, II IS the ola Democratic heart
that beats, throwing out It's corrupt
blood and instiliin@ an unhealJhier life
into all their being, and if the sepul-
chural voice of the dying carcass could
be heard by The iliegitimate children
Of the foul rroeeni5or giving assurance
Of success By The adoption Of certain
course Of policy, the filthy offspring Of
/ its loins would hcarken, then rush to
! the embrace Of the venerable and dis
honored parent and enquire the way to
victory. The claims OF the Republic
can party upon the people are Of such
a character that it is not necessary to
recount them. What it has done,
what Il Is do.nz. aud what it proposes to
Do, is as well known to every thought
ful member Of the community as to
those who are dcnomiuated leaders.
1t has settled differences that have
threatened the country. It has up
/ held the flag Of the nation when dem
ocrats were head;ng it in the dust aud
intoxicating treason. It has improved
and developed all parts Of our national
/ domain. It has secured peace with
all nations. 1t has interIaeed with
iron bands the whole country from east
to west and made currency that suffers
no diminution of value because Of
geographical boundaries. 1t has made
stable the public debt, and the prime
article Of its faith is the promotion of
general happiness, and the greatest
good Of tie entire population Of the
land. The party in opposition to this
party Of striving and deeds whose
record IS without blemish, is the Re-
FORM PARTY who seeks to destroy I'M
der the guise of a grand name all that
Is good, only to attain to position where
1t can satisfy She hungry nav and ex-
erc'se the functions Of the leprous
body Of It's disgraced progenitor~theft
ard tre~shery. There is to be con
test this al between these two oroan-
izasiors. IF Reform" wins. the de-
parted spirit Of Treason will put on
the habiliments Of life and reinhabit
: the body Of Democracy If RepubIi-
eanism IS victorious, there will be wall
e ing among traitors but rejoicing among
true men everywhere.
5 AMONG ALL the mass of documents
: Important and unimportant, which the