The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-04
Let them Prove it.
RED Wing, Sept. 30th, 1876.

ned WING, Oepl. oOtu, 1O'O.
Mr.. Edit0r:-The democrats claim
to be "reform'' party. Now would
it not be we'll enough for them to "bring
forth fruits" to prove their title to this
claim? What reforms have they inau-
gurated? Let Us see? A few years
ago, when the Credit Mobilier corrup-
ton prevailed, were they trying to "re-
form" the government? Hardly. The
exposure of that fraud was made by
republicans, and democrats were found
mixed up with it. When the railroad
corporations were defying the laws of
thescountry few years ago, and op-
pressing the people, were the demo-
Gratis found opposing their encroach-
ments and tyranny? Not bit Of it.
Part Of the leaders of that party were
running the roads, and the other per
ton was denouncing the "Anti-Monops"
and "Grangers," who were demanding
legislation to prevent these outrages.
When the large and wealthy manu.
featuring associations Of the country
were paying their employees low wages
and, by combinations, striving to keep
up the prices of their goods, did the
democrats come to the front in behalf
Of the laboring classes ? We never
heard Of their doing so, but, on the con-
trary, we did hear them snecring ut and
ridiculing those who advocated this re.
form.
When our Ubiquitous financial and
banking systems were being fastened
upon the country, and when, from time
to time since; they have been amended
and always in favor Of the monied in
terest, have the democratic leaders
come forward to save the people from
the infection Of these outrages Not
a bit Of it. On the contrary, many of
them, and certainly the ruling portion,
have been the very parties who asked
for, procured and received benefits from
this Infamous class legislation.
When the wheat trade of the country
passed into the control of rings of rich
spectators; who so contrived that they
paid the farmers what they pleased for
their wheat, and sold the same to Eas-
tern consumers at prices fixed by them
selves, did democratic leaders manifest
any desire to interfere in behalf of the
farmers and consumers Far from it,
for many of them belonged to and were
Influential members of the associations
Of spectators.
Not one single instance can be shown
where democratic leaders have assisted
the people against the expressions
Of the monied power. In no single in.
stance, have they aided any of the
needed reforms which have been inau
gurated within the last eight years and
slowly pushed forward by the people.
Even official corruption and extrava-
gance, though denounced by them for
political effect, has not been reformed,
nor have they made single sincere
move in the direction of reforming them.
By what right, then, do they claim
to be reformers, when they have per-
sistently stood in the way of reform
Is it not an unheard Of piece of pre-
sumption for them to nominate the as-
sociate of VIM. NJ. Tweed, the man
who stood between the Tweed ring and
the just indignation of the people of
New York, and who, while hypocriti-
cally pretending to prosecute those
scoundrels, actually helped them to es-
cape the punishment they deserved ?
Is it not, ask, presumption flor them
to try to palm this man off on the
American people ~ reformer ? What
perfect bosh such pretensions IRE.
Yours, &c., REFoRxER.