Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-24
Address OF the Liberals to the PEG.
pie OF the United states.

The address to the American people adopted at
the recent Reform Conference held In New York
tity opens up with a statement that never be-
tore in our history has the public mind been 20
profoundly agitated by apprehensions OF dangers
arising from the prevalence OF corrupt tendencies
and practices in our political life and never has
there been greater reason for il. We will not die
MAY here in detail the distressing catalogue Of
disclosures which for several years have followed
one another in rapid succession, and seem to b.
left scarcely single sphere OF our political life
untouched. The records OF courts, of State Leg
i.Iatures and of the National Congress speak
with terrible painDess, and still they are adding
10 the scandalous exhibition"
The address goes on to say that such state OF
things. is most deplorable, and peculiarly so at
this time, when we are about to celebrate the
one.hundredth anniversary Of our National ex-
i.tence, and have invited the nations of the earth
to visit our land and to witness the evidence Of
our material progress, as well as the working
and effects Of that republican Government which
century ago our fathers founded.
The Centennial anniversary of the Declare
ton Of Independence, being in so many respects
10 all Americans day of sinccrest pride and
rejoicing, lie felt to be in other respects not with
out self reproach and humiliation. OF this, the
corruption revealed in our political life Is the
cause.
ITO the honor of the American people be it
said, every patriotic citizen feels the burning
shame of the spectacle presented in the Gen.
tennial year-there the mementOes and mon1-
ments Of the virtues Of the past and here the
shocking evidences Of the Generalization and
corruption OF the present; there the glowing eu-
loges pronounced on the wisdom and purity Of
verdicts Of courts and records Of legislative bod
les, illustrating the political morals OF to-day
and this before all mankind solemnly summoned
Us a witness to the exhibition and guest to the
feast. Never was there cause for keener morti
fcation, and keeny does it strike every patriotic
heart
such dangers and wipe Oh such etains BY proving
(says the address) that. although the Government
machinery has become corrupt, the great body of
the people are sound and strong at the core, and
that they are honestly determined to reform the
abuses OF our political life, and to overthrow at
any cost the agencies of evil that stand in the
way"
After abiding to the great Importance of some
OF the questions involved in the impending Ma
tional election, the address says
Grave as they are, still, in our present situa-
ton, we must, as American citizens, recognize IL
Is our most pressing dnty to re-esiabsh the
moral character Of our Government and to ele-
vate the tone OF our political life. Our
discussions an struggles about other great ques-
tons and principles will appear like mockery
and farce II we permit our public concerns to
DRIFT into that ruinous anarchy which corruption
must necessarily bring in its train, because it de-
stroys the confidence of people in their self-gov-
ernment, the greatest calamity that can betall q
republic. 1t is simple question Of life or death.
A corrupt monarchy may last by the rule of force.
A corrupt republic cannot endure. 1t is useless
TO console ourselves with the idea that the cor
rupton among us must be ascribed solely to the
immediate effects OF the Civil War, and will,
without an effort at reform, soon pass away.
There is another cause which 10 not transitory,
but threatens to become permanent 1t is the
system which has made the offices Of the Govern
which distributes the places Of trust and re-
sponsibity as the reward Of party service and
the bounty of favoritism; the system which APP
peals to the mean impulses OF selfshness and
greed rs controlling motive OF political action
the system which degrades the Civil-Service to
the level OF mere party agency, and treating the
officer rs the hired servant Of the party and tax
ing him for party support, stimulates corruption,
and places 1t under party protection; the system
which brings the Org sniza.ion of the parties un-
der the control of the most selfshy interested,
and therefore most active, element--thc place
holders and the place hunters-thus tending to
organize standing army Of political mercenar-
les, TO be paid out of the Treasury of the Govern
ment, who, by organized action, endeavor to sub-
jugate the will OF the people to their ends
through the cultivation of tyrannical party
spirit.
Every student of our political history knows
that since the spoils system was inaugurated cor
rupton has steadily grown from year to year. and
so long as this system lasts, with all its seduc
tions and demoraizing tendencies, corruption
Will continue 10 grow in extent and power, for
patriotism and true merit will more and more be
crowded out OF political life by interruptions sell
hshness.
" The war has only given a sudden stimulus to
this tendency, but without the war it would have
grown up, and will not cease to grow, so long rs
the hotbed of corruption, the spoils system, lasts
Inc skill In corrupt practices ACQUIRED by one
generation of spoismen will only be improved
upon by the next The result know. We
nave already reaped SO great harvest of disaster
ana shame that, we repeat, II has now become
the hrst dnty OF the American people 10 REL stab-
sh the moral character Of the Government by
thorough reform.
What can we do toward this end in the impend-
Ing National eections In this respect, follow
cluzeLs we consider 1t our duty to speak very
plainly. Never were the cause of good Govern
ment and the honor of the American name more
Immediately dependent on the character, ability
aud reputation OF the men to be selected for the
highest offices. In view of the grave circum-
stances at present surrounding us, declare that
the country cannot now afford to have any man
erected to the Presidency whose very name Is not
conclusive evidence Of the most incorporating
determination OF the American people 10 make
ms pure Government once more Our duty in
tnls respect is plain and imperative. The worn
out Clap-trap OF fair promises in party platforms
VIII not satisfy it; neither will these fine
professions on the part of candidates. Not mere
words are needed but acis not mere platforms
nut men; and We therefore declare and call upon
III good citizens to join us, that at the coming
TlesloehtlA election we sball support no candI-
uate VINO, IN public position, ever Countenanced
corrupt practices or combinations, impeded their
eAf"sufe or punishment, or opposed necessary
measures of reform. We shall support no can
ulcate Who while possessing official influence
ana power, has failed 10 use his opportunities in
Exposing and correcting abuses coming within
the reach OF his observation, but for personal and
parry ends has permitted them TO fester on; Tor
e1NH men may be counted on not 10 uncover and
LuSAicofruption, but for the party sake merelyto
conceal il more
We shail support no candidate, however con-
sP-CGOls his position or brilliant his ability in
nAotA Tue impulses OF the party managers have
sIyHA themselves predominant over those OF the
srluIler' Tor he Will be inclined to continue that
.H-uaHehtal abuse: the employment OF the Gov
..ueut service as machinery for personal or
tArE ends. We shall support no candidate who
to"tFer iayorably judged by his nearest friends
20, pubhcly known 10 possess those qualities
VI u'ihd and character which the stern task Of
-t44lne reform requires for the American people
.4Lnot now afford 10 risk the future OF the he
p@Dle IN experiments on merely supposed virtue
-, ..nored ability, to be trusted on the strength
Oi private recomme ndatiop
- IA one word, AT present, no candidate should
s Aeld entitled to the support of patriotic citi
as OF whom the question NAV ne fairly asLed