The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-04
The regular daily circulation Of THE SUN
for the pcek ending oct. 2, 1870 tods
The Only Vital Question.

In the fury of the numberless disqusi-
lions on imitation and contraction created
by the canvass in Ohio and Pennsy lvania,
people are in some danger of forgetting
The true issue before the country. This
issue is the arrmgnment of the present
Administration for unexampled profligacy
IN every department Of public affairs: for
the exercise of despotic powers over the
eoutbern States; for the extraordinary
public frauds and crimes in the District of
Columbia; for the foolish and demagosic
treatment of the currency question by the
hast Congress; for the attempt 20 foist Gen.
GRANT upon IL e country Tor q third term
for the scandalous pro- titution of the ap-
pointing POWER; and for the defence and
support OF the most conspicuous public
knaves by the President himself.
Bome of those offence, and Others Of q
Nike nature which it would need columns
20 enumerat" in detail, early attracted
public attention, and IN attempt at re-
form was initiated in 1872. But the public
mind was slow o see and appreciate the
actual condition OF things, and, Of course,
dow to act and ut that time the move
nmt failed. II has since gained momen-
tum, however, by the lapse OF time throw
ing u clearer light upon the fact and last
year the rebuke of the Administration in
the elections was general and complete.
The Reform Republicans either stood
-Ioof went wi h the democratic. and
the result was ono of the greatest political
revolutions recorded n our history. Mae
sachusetts. with htI 1000 Republican ma
tOriiy, turned her back upon the Admin
Natrafion md Qlln a "A H. mn
ernor and n majority Of ant-Administra-
ton members Of Congress The State of
New York, which gave 50C0O majority for
the Republican DIX at the previous cleo
ton, turned and threw 5000 majority for
his Democratic competitor TILDEN; and
so II was that the revolution swept along
the whole line. The indignation and dis
gust OF the country over the mal-admnis-
tTation of the Government was universal;
and from that time to this things have not
grown better but worse. One Cabinet off,
Ger has followed another into retirement In
ignominious succession, forced TO resign for
corrupt and scandalous practices; and
hardly day passes that there is not new
revelation of some old official cIiminality
or some new crime committed in the name
Of Republicanism.
At this juncture new elections are in
progress. The same public sentiment pre-
walls az existed last year. The truth now
h, As then, that the country demands and
must have a change Of rulers; and that
whatever is tohappen, or whoever h 20 fol-
low, the punishment of the guilty men who
have disgraced the Republican name must
be inflicted. This Is the first and most I'M
A.,txt To-
pendent and conscientious voter. IL is a
duty which cannot be summed. The work
has been begun, and it must he completed.
To interpose financial discussions by way
Of Hrresting this great work may DO good
politics for the culprits who are ar
faigned, butt 10 wholly out of place in the
programme OF the reformes who urge the
revolution now under way. Our first and
highest business 10 to drive out the malad-
ministrator and thieyes from public office.
We must have, first of all, a radical change,
and a thorough reform In administration.
New men must be placed in power, and the
old must be turned out. 1t is not till this is
done that We can stop to debate purely
economic or abstract questions of public
policy.
Our views on the fnan cial question are
well known, and how much soever we
may wish them to prevail, we do not in
tend to be beRuiled into pretermitting
our warfare against oppression, extrava-
gance, and corruption, because there are
those who fancy they desory distant dan
gers TO arise in consequence OF the success
which we aim TO achieve. Those dangers
we do not zee or fear though we shall be
found foremost in warding them of when
they shall threaten TO approach. We shall
DC as prompt and as free 20 discuss Ilnan-
oal reform under Democratic as under
Republican Administration; but so far as
we are able TO discover, there are us many
iDaRtionists among the prominent Repub-
hcane as among the Democrats Indeed,
the great leaders Of the imitation party are
Republicans. Match us In point OF ability
n you can among Democrats, such con-
spiouous inflatiOnists rs HENRY @. CAREY,
.. v. BuTLER, WEspAIL .PHII1IPs, to soy