The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-04-01
FROM OHIO.
CLEvELASD, March 22, 1876.

CLEvELAND, March 22, 1876.
To the Editor Of the wOAKRsHAS's ADVOCATE.
The Democratic party, by its opposition
to the growth Of liberty in perpetuating
slavery, by its inactivity under the Bu-
chanan regime, its questionable course in
many instances since that, has made itself
distrusted by many of our best citizens.
This lack Of confidence in its professions
OF honest, progressive government to the
people, am satisfied, will, in the future
as in the past, prevent It from obtaining
and holding the reins Of government. A
noble effort was made in 1872 to have
Horace Greeley elected on platform of
reform. No better choice could have been
made as q standard bearer. He was
MAN. But despite the corruption of the
Republican party, which was then crop
ping out here and there to the public
view, and positively known to exist by
many Of the leading men who seeded
from the party at the time; despite the
fact that it was reinforced by some of the
best blood of the Opposition, it was badly
defeated, and simply because of the pre-
judice created in the public mind from its
war record and opposition to the emanci-
patton Of the negro race. This sentiment
is oday as deep rooted a. ever, and will
doubtless continue. I'm addition to this,
there is the present course Of its represen-
tatives in Congress Their whole time is
devoted to investigating the conduct Of
the Republican party since its accession to
power. The matter OF investigation is
commendable, were it done with a pure,
patriotic spirit, and desire to punish the
guilty from sense Of justice to the ma
tion, and with the purpose Of having an
honest service in the future, and not to
the exclusion of other important legisla-
ton. This object the impartial citizen
fails to discover in their efforts. The ex-
ultstion Of the party press, the ill-dis-
posed whisper Of satisfaction, on part Of
the party in the House Of Representatives,
when bona tide skeleton has been dis
covered, not because it has been found
out and the perpetrators will be punished
for their faults, as firm the fact that it will
help oar party. This exhibition of weak
meas In body Of men, chosen to serve
the people Of Q great nation, ostensibly
because of their great qualifications, is dis
gusting to those who feel the need there
lis for the profoundest thought of states
manship in making laws to relieve the
needs of two millions of famishing people,
and distressed and ParaIysed industry
These things stand in the way of its sue
cess in the future and the much needed
legislation the country wants for the pres
ent.
On the other hand we have the Republi
can party, whose only claim 10 support il
the fact that in the freedom of the slav'
and the preservation of the Union it for
few years did the will Of the people Sine
that time its history is Plunder and Pecu
lation in Office. ITO the victors belonl
the spoils" has been its motto and prac
tics, No miser has stuck more closely /,
his treasure than it hAs 10 this principle
Now, when the result in being uneArthed
and its blighting system exposed to tn
people, no il can be seen i'm all its black
ness, they feel shocked. Men, friends o
the party. honest in their own convictions
explain these evidences OF corruption a
excsptional and accidental. Such explain
ations do mot satisfy the public mind a
present and cannot, because the evil in to-
widespread and general to be explaine'
away. Il is tho natural outgrowth Of tn
aystem bassd on tho principle Of the mott
quoted, and must continue % long as tina
% the rule. Good government for tn
people y not what has governed this party
but . continuance In Office upon its wa
suyesss. The cost OF the war In the frs
placs, the people willingly assumed, bu
the viciDus lsgialation since, which hAs i'm
creased a 10 such q fearful extent, the
have prsfsstsd against. Testimony Of thi
| O. found m The present majority of Demo
orazs IN Congress That majority Va
| sisctsd not 70 much because the peopl
| xi1Isd w Democratic party In power, q
1om asairs 10 punish Republicans 10
uruHnBding their wants. The lesson ha