The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-02-13
Public Sfairs.
From Harper. Weekly Of February IS.
The Situation.


is from Hapers Weekly, pharisee of
the pharisees in the ranks Of Republican
ism. Read it;
The chief political question before the
country is one Of administration. There
is no serious proposition to disturb the
final settlements Of the war, however their
wisdom may be questioned. The Demo
Gratis, indeed, would undoubtedly leave the
amedmeuts to take care of themselves,
would paralyze them as much as possible,
but they would not attempt to do more.
Moreover, the Democratic party is so hope
ful because of the recent Republican
defeats, and the election of 1876 is 80
near, that third or new party organza-
tion is out of the question, and the next
President will be elected either by the
Democrats or the Republicans. Amidst
the general Republican disaster there is,
however, profouud apprehension of the
consequences of Democratic restoration
The real elements and tendencies Of that
party, which are very different from those
Of its doctrinaires, are essentially reaction
airy to the movement OF the last fifteen
years, which, with all its errors, is a
movement Of national union, Of liberty,
and progress. Thousands of votes which
have helped to defeat the Republicans
during the last few months are those of
men who are, so to speak, naturally Re-
publican, and who would greatly prefer TO
see that party, truly inspired and wisely
managed, in the ascendant. They feel,
however, that there is nothing but calami-
ty to be expected of the present Republi-
can course, aud they decline to share the
responsibility Of the result.
The consequence of this situation is that
the Republican party is in great peril.
The most sanguine Republican can hardly
suppose that il the election were to take
place next month, a Republican President
would be elected. Nothing is gained by
beating gongs and m-toms, and voeiferas-
ing that such view is cowardly and false
and comforting to the enemy. The way
10 escape danger is not to shut your eyes,
but to open them. Republicans know
perfectly well that in saying that the party
is divided and disheartened we speak tho
simple and obvious truth. and that moth.
ing is palmer than that there must be a
radical change, or the result is fatally sare.
Is, then, the cause of justice and Of equal
rights the dominance of the intelligence
and conscience of the country in the gov
ernment, not worth saving? Shall no
effort be made? 1t is objected to the
cc-President's late letter that he sup.
gests no method of accomplishing what he
states to be desirable results. lie pro.
nounces for change. but he does not sne.
cify changes. But if we see what has
alienated the confidence and chilled the
enthusiasm of the party, we can also see
how they are to be restored. What. then
can be done?
The President can emphatically disclaim
all thought of third term. The sugges.
ton of such purpose NAV have been a
joke, but the consequences were not conf
cal. A word well spoken and in season
would have been most seryiceable. but il
was withheld. If the proper and plain
declaration were now made, il would be
late. indeed, but the subject is not merely
personal to him il affects the Marty. and
It would relieve the public jealousy Of
Office. e.holdiug interference in elections
which is more positive than ever. Ifit Is
supposed at the White House that there Is
no feeling upon this subject and that n,,-
body really cares. there il an ionorapce Of
public opinion in that quarter which Il an
in aueury Of Republicans The presidert
also couid purpe the civil service in sucb
way as to show that political ACTIVITY il
not the tenure of Office His action could
be such as To Indicate his consc;ousnoss
that he had hitherto f,iled IN s,t;sfv in
this matter the inst exnectat;ons which bo
had excited and that he had now over.
come the adverse Influences which have
thwarted his declared nnrnose Hare aro
two yery simple and verv nyacticable meas.
ures which would instantly tend 10 revive
the confidence Of the marty and rcncw he
energy -
A9ain the President and Conoross 10
oetber can adont n nol;cv in tLe Aon;s;,n.
Question which shall sat;sfv tho hoe, on;n
ion of Tho country Tho. oan no, ~, 80; -;
tutionally remand tho State 10 n Terr;tor;al !
cond;t;on Tbev can not ordor a 80.
elec,;on in Ion;s;ono mnro ,han u aa'.
other State And thew can NOT reco,n;zs
and sus,ain n fraudnlont goyarnmar, 49,
whefe The Ronnhl;can Com,n;,,aa @ y
priv;legas and Eloct;ons in ,La So,
ranor,ea two yo,rs Zoo ,h,, 10 ~ olaa,;as
~ Io5o - q ,,,r,