The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-08-05

and weaken the Republican party. And
during the years that il has now been in
power it has managed to make the patrons
age of the State government as important
for corrupt purposes as that OF the city,
But ii is much easier to attack and de-
nounce such a strongly entrenched power
than TO overthrow it. And hence, failing
all other means, the elements opposed to
it seem to have resor,cd to this secret
order, the first effort of which was to OBJ
tain control of the Safe Convention. II
was led by leading, able and Influential
Democrats, ard it was much stronger than
we had expected, but it failed, the Ring
being triumphant and signalling its true
character by nominating Catholic can
didate for Governor. If, then, the indie
pendent movement among the Democrats
is in earnest and means anything there is
but one course left to it, and that is to
nominate a separate State ticket, which,
from the tone of the Baltimore press, we
infer that it intends to do, the candidates
to be old line Democrats.
To this ticket it is understood Il at the
Republicans will make no opposition, the
occasion being important enough to de
mand and justify such IL sacritic. Their
object will be accomplished if they stay
the power of the Ring, and defend the
public schools Still this is not an easy
task, Notwithstanding the revolt in the
Democratic ranks For the system of
frauds characterized rs repeating seems
to be peculiar to these corrupt Rings
everywhere, and under it the will of an
Hence the Baltimore American intimates
that the secret order is composed of hard
listed laborers and workingmen who are
dctern ined not to be cheated or tritlcd
with, and who are prepared to defend
their rights by whatever means may be
necessary, and that Il powerful associa-
ton of property holders, capitalists and
moncycd men, appalled, at the ruinous in.
crease of taxation, has been organized 10
sustain themby the use of all the ma
chinery of the law. If all these elements
hold together there is very good reason
for the Freeman's Journal TO feel alarmed,
for the Catholic element having gone into
politics in u distinct form has provoked
the usual consequences.
1t is useless to deplore the mIngling of
religion with politics, for the movement
against ultramontaniSm is universal, and
is as common in the most Catholic coun-
tries Of Europe as here. The same issues
are at stake, the same interests are in
volycd the same perils alarm the public
1t would be monstrous to suppose that
Protestant America would tolerate as
sumptons and dangers that all Europe is
alarmed at. The public schools of this
Republic are not simply its pride, they
are the panoply of its liberties. Any dan
ger that menaces cur schools attacks our
free institutions. There is no use in
mincing words on the subject. Those who
are not open to reason must be made TO
feel the power Of the ballot-box.
The battle of reform in America is
much the same everywhere. But any
thing that in the name of reform attempts
to use the regular organization of the
Democratic party is deception. 1t has re-
peatcdly proven so in New, York and Phil
adclpha in our local affairs, and in the
Commonwealth. 1t has been used in va
rious southern States to cover mp political
designs, and when once fully in power
has ayailcd itself of the opportunity to
attempt to render useless the rights Of the
freedmen and of all cmgrauts from the
north Tie Democratic party has no
more idea Of true reform than the old
Bourbon dynasty of France, Spain and
Naples. All its professions on the sub
jcct are only means to regain power. 1t
was so in New Hampshire and Connect
cut 1t was so with the fool legislatures"
of Indiana and Ohio, and that of Penn
sylyanin might well be added 20 this list.
And when the next national House of
representatives shall assemble it will
again become as conspicuous as it Was
under Pierce and Buchanan. The type
of Bourbonsm produced by Maryland is
probably no worse than that Of other
States. But it is equally without polite
al sagacty, and it is destined TO meet the
same fate. In fact the party that aston
ishcd itself with the victories Of 1874 is
likely TO be astouishcd again, but in
different way, by the campaigns Of 1870
-PhtLadetyAia North Imericda.