The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-31

1tefVFH y necessary 10 correct the omlS-
sions of q Republican Congress and the er-
rors of our treaties and our diplomacy, which
have stripped our fellow citizens of foreign
birth and kindred race, re-crossing the At
lantIc, of the shield of American citizenship,
and has exposed our brethren of the Pacific
coast 10 the incursions of 4 race not sprung
from the same great parent stock, and III
fact now 10y law denied citizenship through
natural cation as being neither accustomed
to traditions of progressive civilization,
nor exercised in liberty under equal laws.
We denounce the policy which thus dis
cards the lIberty-loving German, and toler-
ates the revival of the Conlie trade, in Mon
gOlian women imported for immoral pur-
poses, and Monaghan men held to perform
servile labor contracts.
Reform is necessary, and can never be
effected but by aking it the controlling is
sue of the election and lifting it above the
two false issues with which the officehold-
ing classes and the party in power seek to
smother it.
l. The false issue with which they
would enkindle sectarian strife in respect
to the public schools, of which the estab-
lishment aud support is due to the several
States, and which the Democratic party
has cherished from their foundation aud is
resolved to maintain, without prejudice OF
preference for any class, sect or creed, and
without contributions from the treasury 20
ny.
2. The false issue by which they seek to
light anew the dying embers of sectional
hate between kindred people once unnatu-
rally estranged, but now reunited in one
indIvisihle republic and common destiny.
RJoTm is necessary in the civil service.
h.,H Of
conduct of the government is not possible
If its civil service be subject to u change at
every election, be prize fought for at the
ballot-box, be brief reward of party
zeal, instead of posts of honor assigned Tor
proved competency, and held for fidelity In
the public employ; that the dispensing of
patronage should neither be a tax upon the
time of our public men nor instrument OF
their ambition. Here, again, professions
falsifed In the performance attest that the
party in power can work out no practical
or salutary reform.
Reform is necessary, even more in the
higher grades of public servi e. President,
Vice President, judges, Senators, Represen-
tatives, Cabinet officers It these and all
others in authority are the peoples SER
wants. Their offices are not private per
quisite; they are public trust.
When the annals of this republic show
the disgrace and censure of a Vice Presi-
dent; late Speaker of the House of Rep
reSentatives marketing his rulings as d PIE
siding officer three Senators PR filing Sc
cretly by their votes as lawmakers; five
chairmen of the leading committees of the
late House of Repre- sentativ. exposed in
jObbeIy; Secretary of the Treasury foIc-
ing balances in tie public accounts; late
Attorney General Incorporating public
funds; a Secretary of the Navy enriched OF
enriching his friends by per centages levied
off the profits of contractors with his de
partment; all ambassasOr to England cen
sured in a dishouorabie speculation; the
Presidents private secretary barely escar-
ing conviction upon trial for guilty COM
plicity in frauds upon the revenue; Sec
Eetary of War impeached for high crimes
and misdemeanors : the demonstration is
complete, that the first step in reform must
be the peoples choice of honest men from
another party, lest the disease of one polit-
ical organization infect the body polite,
and lest, by making no change of men OF
parties, we get no change of measures and
no real reform.
Ali these abuses, wrongs and crimes, The
product of sixteen years ascendancy of the
Republican party, create a necessity for re-
form, confessed by Republicans themselves
but their reformers are voted down in con-
vention and displaced from the Ctbiuet.
The party's mass of honest voters is power
less to resist the eighty Thousand office
holders, as leaders and its guides.
Reform can only he had by a peaceful
civic revolution. We demand a change
of system, a change Of administration, a
change Of party, that we may have a change
of measures and of men.