Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-15
iect Not Agricultural.

AnnOugh tue crtnUnt FARMER docs no [
rank itself among the political papers, 1 soc
that political subjects aro, nevertheless, not
ignored; and il would seem wisely too, for
IL there ever was time when the rural dis
tricts should undertake 10 inform themselves
on political issues 1t is the present. If cor
ruption ever ran riot II is to-day. If there
was ever period in our history when ms
much bribery aud corruption existed ut the
national capital it has thus far been securely
hidden from the knowledge of the people
Members of Congress and the Senate, off
GERS of the House, forced into public view as
givers and takers of vast brides to further
the interests of corporations. Not week
passes but some new scheme for plumber is
unearthcd, and this or that public man is
proven to have obtained his wealth through
corrupt and dishonest practices. The ques-
ton is, does this condition arise from gem
eral giving away of all political foundations,
or is it the recklessness of party in power
determined to make the most Of present OPP
portunities. 1t would seem that the latter
is nearer the true explanation. The repub-
lican party is entitled to infinite credit for
past achievements; but, although Il member
of that party, am driven to the confession
that there has been enough dishonesty aud
trickery in its management Of affairs for the
past two years to condemn it in the eyes of
this nation. 1t matters not how much it
may have accomplished, if it is to-day be-
traying the best interests of the land. be-
lieve there is yet sufficient vitality in the or
ganization to win another victory in 70 if
those in its rank VIGOROUSLY corrupt are
thrown overheard. If the political mana
gers arrange matters so that Grant receives
II third nomination, or it is conferred upon
one of his tools, the republican party in the
next presidential election will be routed,
"horse, foot and Dragons" II any one diff
frrS from the writer in regard to tins he is
welcome to his opinion, or | am to mine.
Party loyalty is II desirable thing, provided
it does not 60 too far but when it comes 20
party. right or wrong, it is altogether dan
gerous. II is quite impossible to say what
the remedy will be; but of one thing the
'leadcrs" may bc,assured, that there will be
I'm exodus from the republican ranks in 1876
such rs has not been seen of late, unless
prompt measures are instituted to purify the
thigh places" Those who largely bear
tho burden of taxation cannot afford such
expensive luxuries rs the present party has
proven itself to be. | believe / am not
prejudiced in this Judgment hut the more |
read and tho more the secret workings are
brought to light, the stronger do l become
in the conviction that rascality is outwiting
principle, and that the time is ripe for II
change.
Suppose that the republican party goes in
to the next election with james q. Blaine
us candidate for the presilency-suoh II name
will carry more weight than scores of 9TH
ers who are vastly deeper in the secrets and
coniidc nce Of the administration. In fact,
doubt il m active Grant man finds over
warm reception, to-day, at the hands of the
average republican. Let us try II new ad-
ministration and see if q stop cannot DO put
to the anarchy and ruin that characterizes
Louisiana and some of her sister states. |
believe that the wrong is nll Oh this side;
and the impression is firmly abiding that
when the truth is reached the stagnation Of
nearly all branches of business in those
states, the financial sum that hangs over
them like I'm ominous cloud will he traced,
more than any other one thing. 10 the
crowds of adventurous who have Gocked in.
to them, backed up and encouraged, If not
directly supported, by the present admins
tration. 1t is not matter of wonder that
loyal southerners are disheartened and dis
couraged, when they find their energies par
alyzed and themselves ignored by an army
of Observation-Disclosures whose sole interest in
the country is to plumber it. 1t seems that
the old adage is perpetually coming true.
"A party needs only to become powerful, to
become corrupt" Perhaps this discussion
may be deemed out Of place; but I'm editor
solaces himself with the reflection that he is
not Obliged to father all that u correspondent
advances; otherwise than this. how busy he
would be in defending himself
w. w. llIGBEE.
Charlotte, Jun. In, 1875,