Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-05-20

his life, suddenly ceased in 1872, when il wa.
supposed that praise of him would promote
Democratic success. But when he died the
'.Reform Democracy instinctively returned
to its vomit CT rlhald insult. N;r. Schurz, Of
course has the same experience. He has told
a few truths of the party which those who
really suppose that any real reform is to he
expected from it may well ponder. In Lis
speech at the American dinner he said:
1.-The question has been asked why we did
not go over to the Democrats. shall answer
| for myself with entire candor, and without
the least intention to be offensive to anybody.
| | did not go over to the Democrats for rea-
SONS similar to those which separated us from
the interests controlling the Republican Or
ganization-the reason that many or the ne
cessary reforms | spoke of seemed at the
hands of the Democrats to have Just little
chance of Accomplishment; that in many of the
States where they had obtained control their
performances contrasted strikingly with their
professions; and also because it was feared
that distinct, unalloyed Democratic victory
would, even against the desire of the best of
their leaders, unchain an overbearing partisan
spirit, apt TO encourage something of the COM
posing elements of the party to venture upon
attempts partially to disturb existing settle
ments- attempts which would, indeed, GER
tainly be fruitless, but calculated to lead to
confusion and provoke rebounds tending to
bring forth still more dangerous centraliza-
ton of power"
And at the German dinner, on the next eve
ming, he said, with the faith in America and
want of faith in the "Reform Democracy
which show his great good sense:
Corruption is tie greatest evil which can
affi;ct free people. There are pessimists
who look at the surface of our national affairs,
and say that corruption is everywhere su-
preme. He who knows the American peo-
pie knows, however, that they are sound at
the core. They are also strong enough to
battle all their evils. The people who could
stand Pierces aud Buchanan's administration,
who could withstand the rebellion, could also
bear up under the burden OF eight years of
Grants administration.
Mr.. Schurz has undoubtedly changed the
opinion which he held in 1871, and which
probably determined in some degree his sub
sequent action, that the Democratic party is
extinct. He has discovered that it is not only
alive, but unchanged, and in full sympathy
with the tendencies and purposes which are
most fatal to popular liberty and Republican
progress. If he had cherished any lingering
doubts upon the subject, Mr. Murat Halstead's
humorous tale of the character and eonse-
quences of Democratic ascendancy in Ohio
mnst have effectually disposed of them. Il
am afraid" says Mr.. Halstead, ''we have gone
about as far in putting the Democratic party
into power in the State of Ohio as is strictly
necessary as a reformatory measure" In
these few words he exactly describes the sit
uation. The elections of last autumn put the
Democratic party in power in many quarters.
Has that success had any other result than that
which is indicated by Mr.. Halstead and Mr.
Schurz, namely, that hope of reform does not
lie in that direction? The two banquets to Mr..
Schurz, the American and the German, repre-
sent sentiment and support that naturally be-
long to the Republican party, and that gravi-
tate towardit even now. Shall that support
be rejected, sure as the rejection would be to
destroy the party and elect Democrat ? Or
shall 1876 find all who naturally prefer the
Republican spirit and tendency and aim once
more heartily united in Republican triumph
That is a question not for Republican leaders,
but for the mass of Republicans who lead the
leaders.