Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-04
Tn. Dangers or Indifference.

Thc Dangers Of Indifference.
A gasai many Republicans will
wake up to the fact one OF these Gays
thst they have been tritiing with a
deadly enemy, and throwing away
many battle which they could ill
afford to loose. This applies to Re-
publican newspapers as well rs indi-
vidual members Of the party, In aud
out OF congress, Of high aud low de-
gree. We find Republicans in Indi-
ana, for instance, deceived by the
fair promises Of "a democratic plat
firm, forsaking their party aud con-
tributing to the election Of them OPP
ponenta, who no sooner gain the
power than they 60 back on every
pledge and promise Of the campaign.
We see the Republicans Of Massachn-
sets aiding In the election Of men
who are in substantial accord with
their worst enemies, and who are
thus given the power to infiict un-
measured evils on the country. We
see them in every State, deceived by
the cry of /" no-party," tending them
selves to the same old Democratic or
ganizatiop, and then behold that
party ignoring their claims, laughing
at their gullibility, and profting by
their weakness. Congress has stood
Insulating for two or three years, de-
TERED by similar causes from pursu-
ing a stern, direct, and steadfast
course toward the South, and the re-
sult il now before the country. Con-
fused and rendered suspicious by the
course of cynical speakers and the
constant cries of the so-called indie
pendent press, Republicans lost
Dearly all interest in current politics,
or, with vague hope Of lettering
affairs, went over to the opposition.
Raids against the "caucus system "
were so frequent that people began
To imagine it a sacred duty to de-
n.unce 1t. Railings at party conven-
lions were so bitter that thousands
were convinced that herein lay the
chief evils OF our politics. Thus
demoralized, it Is little wonder that
the Il 10 turned, and the party which
had been despised for it's inhumanity
and banished for its treason came
swimming into port, borne on the
t0pmost wave Of discomfort, iH1me-
diately proceeding to display its old
flag, which, until then, had been
concealed. And now what do we
seer Is the caucus system abandon
cd? Are party lines ignored? Are
men elected to Office without regard
to their prior party affiliations? Not
Mt ALL Never was discipline Inore
strict. Never were the sentiments of
candidates scanned more carefully.
In New Jersey Democrat Is nomi-
mated for Senator by party esscus.
Ian New York, Fenton, Liberal
Rspahliean, who has worked and
voted with the Democracy for four
genfs, Is thrown overheard to make
room for an old-tiSae Denraerat who
il nominated by "the party" in II
party caucus. In Pennsylvania the
same despised system Is adopted
with q like result. In Missouri,
tSehRrS, who put the weapon into
hands which have now slain him, il
passed over to make room for man
whose chief qualification for this
high Office Is his record as a rebel
soldier.
So it goes, and while these events.
are transpiring what are our friends
about" We pegret to say it, but we
behold them still contending man
fully for the idea that caucuses are
nonstreus evils, and parties desper-
ate tools OF tyranny! In Michigan
they overturn the party nomination.
In Nebraska they do the same. In
Minnesota and Wisconsin attempts
are being mafs to pursue like poll
cy, but we trust and believe that IN
both those States such suicidal
course will fail and better counsels
he followed. 1t Is time our friends
had awakened to the folly iatoj
which they have been so shrewdly
drawn. 1t has already cost the Re.
publican party the lower house of
Congress, ard inflicted evils on the
country which cannot be repaired for
years? Have we not had enough OF
this i,tsr- Ocean.
Gov. CARPENTER TO President
Grant.