The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-03
The Money Question.

The newspapers seem to us too
easily convinced that it was the ad-
vocacy OF currency reform which
occasioned the defeat of the democ-
1acy in Ohio. From a careful ex-
animation of the attendant circum-
stances, it appears that there were
other stronger causes operating to
produce this result. Indeed, we in
cline to the opinion that the Ohio
democrats owe to the stand they
took upon the financial question, a
very considerable portion of the vote
cast for their candidates.
Let us briefly look over the pollt-
ical history Of the past few years.
The exposure of the Credit Mobilier
frauds and various other gigantic
swindling schemes had had the
effect of alternating a great many
persons from the republican party.
These did not become democrats.
They were liberal republicans, re-
formers, independents, anti -monopo-
lists, etc. The object they sought
to attain-the displacement from
positions of authority Of the corrupt
leaders of the dominant party-was
common with all, and was also one
of the purposes Of the democratic
party. This led to mutual sympa-
thy, afiliation and cooperation be-
tween these opposing elements, and
unity of action was ultimately re-
warded with partial successes.
The most influential leaders of
the democracy, who were generally
as corrupt as the prominent republi-
cans complained of, and who, as the
Investigations frequently proved,
were partners with the latter in the
perpetl alton of official misdemean-
ors, determined to take advantage
of the temporary coalition Of these
several elements and solidify them
in the democratic party. Having
that organization in their own con-
troll, they would thus be able to con-
serve this new force and make it
available for their ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
They did not wish to use it to fur
Their reforms nor intend to allow it
to be employed for that purpose.
Their object was rather to prevent
the accomplishment of such results.
The method adopted to effect
such solidihcation was shrewdly de-
vised. They declared entire sympa-
thy with the views Of their new allies,
repudiated the past faith and record
OF their own party, and made some
of those who had hitherto been re-
publicans their candidates and osten-
sible leaders, in order to attract
more recruits and concentrate the
union of these with their own organ
ization. Many of the old demo-
Gratis were not prepared to approve
of these hollow schemes, aud these,
in some instances, maintained a sep
arate organization, but as nothing
could be effected thereby, they
finally abandoned it and large pro-
portion of them went into the repub-
lican party, or stood aloof and indie
pendent.
The democratic leaders who con-
trolled the associated opposition
elements, though know ng we'll that
the credit for successes attained was
due in as great degree to the ex-
republicans as to the democrats, new
ertheless claimed all the victories
for the democratic party. In fol-
lowing canvass they refused to allow
these allies any voice or influence,
unless they would come fully into
:thei, organization and act with them
as democrats. They were told thai
the effect Of such conduct would be
to drive the reformers back into the
republican ranks and secure the per