, 1875-08-07
Liberal Republicans as Leaders.

SANShAOh Will n leNlAuR III ever
thoughtful American mind that neither Z
the two political parties which are preparing
TO dispute for the supremacy is worthy O
confidence or can be hopefully trusted I
serve the nation as it would like to be and q
1t ough to be served.
There are wise, sincerely patriotic, states
maniike men in each party-men 10 whom
the people would readily trust themselves
with the fullest confidence that they woulC
| guide the vessel of State with skill AM
fidelity; but these men are not at the top
They do not lead; they allow themselves {,
be put aside, and adrUit, noisy, ignOran
demagogues mainly usurp the places o
leaders, control conventions, make platforms
| and call themselves " the party" No patri
o'ic democrat can look with pleasure or hop,
at the condition of his party, with distracted
councils, abandonment of time-hOnered prin.
ciples and reckless self-seeking everywhere
predOminating. No patriotic republican can
look with patience at hts party dragged
through an interminable and nauseous mire
of corruption and mismanaSement, ruled by
men forgetful of the public good, and with no
leader to protest and save the honor of an
organization which deserves better than to
die the death of dog.
What is the matter? What has become of
our public men2 Where IL American states
manshipI Have the people no longer lead
ers fit TO draw their affairs out of the mIre-
men with courage and ability and voice TO
protest III the name of good government
against the reign of ebicanery and ignorance
in party councils, able and willing 10 make
crusade through the country for sound prin
ciples, and to gather around themselves the
multitude Of men IN botS parties who are
deeply and Justly dissatisfied with the present
condition of our affairs, and hopeless of sub
stantisl improvement at the hand Of either
party as at present Constituted
The democratic party leaders hope TO win
next year through the peoples disgust at the
hard times and the notorious corruption of
General Grants administration. But so far
the democrats are no more united upon plat
form Of principles than they We're in 1868.
They promised nothing and are agreed upon
nothing. The republicans, apparently, hope
TO succeed by raising the - bloody shirt" by
appeals for the "Poor negro" who is not
poor at all and is getting on very well, and
by general beating of gongs to scare peo-
pie. If they have any other IDEAS they very
carefully keep them concealed, and are even
foolish enough in their State platforms to
praise the present administration, which
hangs like milestone about the party s neck.
Is it not time for little truth? Suppose one
or half a dozen republican leaders had the
courage-the audacity let us say, considering
what a tirnid creature the American states
man has got 10 be-snppose they dared 10 ad-
dress 10 the country plain, honest, truthfal,
unexaggerated statement Of It's condition, of
the evils from which it suffers, and Of the
remedies which they propose? Suppose they
should tell the people that there is no hope
in either Of the old parties; that the country
is really in an unhappy condition; (; that We
need craftsmanship and brains nt the top,
and not ignorance and party zeal that it is
time for honest and patriotic men Of both par
ties to combine and try to give the nation an
administration which shall have wisdom and
intelligence enough to pur it buck on its nat
ural course Of prosperity? Does any one be-
lieye there would be no response? Or, sup
pose one or half dozea democratic leaders
did the same thing, fearlessly casting off the
inflationisis and other barnacles who too
long ruined their party? Would they need
to fear a silent receptiOnr
The liberal republican caucus at Saratoga
recently was a step in the right direction, but
a very mild one. The country does not
want caucuses, but a crusade. The people
have got tired of political machines and ma
chinery; they have learned by long and
sad experiences that if they trust 10 political
manipulation the professional politicians Of
the baser sort are pretty sure to step IN at the
last moment and beat them. The country
does not want to SEQ the Cincinnati Con-
veution repeated. What is needed Is some
public ruan-some man Of eminence, of char
acter-in whom good men everywhere can
have confidence, who shall set the example of
a break of both parties and organize a crusade
over the whole country for sound principles.
Three great questions are before the nation
the currency, the South and the ci7il ser
vice. We cannot enjoy good government
and prosperity until We return to gold and
silver, until the Southern States are allowed
TO rule themselves in their local affairs sad
until the civil service is securely placed on
business footing and is no longer the sport Of
political gamblers and favorites. Now, II Is
certain that the mass of the people IN the
country desire all three Of these reforms. But
what political leader promises themr Which
political party will give them1 The neees-
sities of the couatry require all three, aud
they are of such kind that there Is no good
reason why-9iyen a few real statesmen 10
work for thern-we should not gain all three
al the next election. If the liberal repubG-
cans means business If is good time for them
70 step to the front. They have no time 10
lose, and they need no: be prudent Let
them put thei- best men into the field and
fling out their banner Of genuine reform.
The proceedings recently would indicate that
the movement Is still an experiment, as II
was three years ago. But if it has any lie
now is the time TO make it manifest, TOR now
Is an excellent time for political rashneSs:
The country Is disgusted with the sight OF
politicians like Governor Allen and General
Carey going about Swallowing ther princl'
plss and smacking their lips after the per-
formance, as though it was highly eredltaoie-
Senator Thurman tells us that democratic
success in Ohio Is Of the very greatest I'm port
ance to the party, but We do not oeiieSe IT,
Il is far more important that the democrstic
marty shall be right, and those OF l1s leadets
who are desirous of g political future can
much better afford throw overheard tne inna'
,ionists in Ohio and the populations IN Ken
tnckv than TO succeed with their help. The
rsnnbIicans in like manner cry out 4" Stick
toya,ber and when some one suggests, that
tbev shall repudists the President, who Is
mining them, they are terror struck and re-
Nv .sThat way lies death" Meantime
tbsy are sinking daily in the public esteem,
arS their chief hope for 1876 lies now in the
snT1y NJ the democrats. l. there nobody who
Iii break the machines" and give TO
American politics a little hope! The liberal
-onublicaus do not seem 10 have much heart
IN the work; but let us sec what the bracing
falI winds Will hring.-N. I. Herald
Embroidered stockings No. sir. Susan
2 Anthony says that no stocking is 50 cool