Middletown transcript., 1876-11-04

i wSl0 tuoy W ottdlu W PVWcI. 4uSb'
are mere croakers-false prophets VIII,
speak without reflection and assert thai
which cannot be sustained by proof
There is no way to man to judge the
future except through the medium d
the past. Ungifted with prophetic ken,
we can only infer from what has beer
to what will be. A party which proved
trustworthy in the past we may reason.
ably consider worthy Of confidence in
the future. Now what is the past re-
cord Of the two great contsnding par
ties? From the time of its first acces-
sion to power, with the Inauguration AZ
President of its founder. Thomas Jeffer-
son, on the fourth Of March 1901, (with
the exception Of two short periods Of
Wing rule) the democratic party held
possession of the government Of the Re-
public and controlled its administration
until fatal rupture in its ranks in
1860 threw open way by which the
present Republican party acceded to
power. During all the years Of Demo-
cratic supremacy the country prospered
to degree truly wonderful, and the
nation increased in numbers and in the
respect Of other sovereignties, until she
arose to the first rank Of the nations Of
the earth No mighty debt then
weighed down, as mighty incumbus.
the energies Of the people groaning
under the unequal burden. No national
executive then made use Of sword and
bayonet to control elections; the army
was not used as political machine to
deter one class Of citizens from voting
and to force another class to vote tickets
prescribed for them by emissaries from
the party Of the President. Under
Democratic Presidents no Belknaps,
Robesons or Babcocks filled the cabinet
Offices, or held high positions Of trust
and confidence under the government.
Safe burglaries by government officials,
Credit Mobiliers and whiskey rings,
composed Of cabinet officers, members |
Of congress and foreign ministers, were
then unknown. All these were reserved
for Republican administrations. But
If perchance dishonest man was found
in ofice-who disgraced his position by
illegal and criminal acts, his conviction
was swift and his punishment sure.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
So much for the Democratic party.
Now what Of the Republican ? Founded
n hatred and malice and in avowed
opposition to the constitution Of the
'ountry, it has never ceased its assaults
lpon that instrument until with altera-
ions, notifications and amendments, it
las become SO disfgured that the orig
nal purposes and objects Of its trainers
AVE been entirely frustrated and it is
o all intents and purposes almost
lead letter in tho law. Without re-
learsing their deeds Of tyranny and
awlessness- despite their most solemn
hedges and promises to the contrary
uring the war, and for which we will
uasi admit their plea Of military neces-
ity, let us look for moment at their
istory since the close Of that unhappy
trsggle. Though more than eleven
ears have elapsed since the confederate
rmies laid down their weapons and re-
red to their homes, peace and order
70 not yet restored to the Southern
tates and they are not permitted to re-
lme their constitutional right Of regu-
ting their own internal affairs, but,
nder the plea Of intimidation Of col !
ed voters" large numbers Of United
.ates soldiers are stationed in some Of 8
oss States, nominally to procure, but
ally to prevent, fair election. The ,
resident and his party, knowing the
ter hopelessness Of their cause when !.
e people-white and colored-are per- \
itted to act and vote according to their
w inclinations, have turned the State !
South Carolina into an armed mill
~ camp and are making illegal use {
every means in their power to.pre- h
mt the people Of that State from vot- r
g the Democratic ticket and placing !,
cir State Government in the hands Of .
at party This they do, in order If D
ssible, to prevent the electoral vote Of 9
Solid South" from being given to the .
emocratic nominees for the Presidency =
d Vice-P Presidency. d
But the illegal use Of the army is not Il
e only charge made against the ad- 0
inistration party. Many Of its most b
ointment members and leaders-men '
40 have held high position under the 9
overnment, and who are among the 0
ost idolized favorites Of the party b
We been found guilty Of participation .
the grossest frauds upon, and rob- S
ries Of. the Government A man p
,on whom was proven the most glar- 8
g villainies; who had, while acting b
chief Of commissioners Of the Dis i,
let Of Columbia, enriched himself, by v
'ibery and misappropriation Of millions '
the public funds-whose crimes were q
rofor;or1 that %ba Cocnto .nr.a~.J /.