The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-16
Is Reform Possible Z

1ee, sW1nuleS, 1ulSenOOus, fODDer1eS, IfNuOs,
aepotisms, corruptions, bribeiies, frnudu-
lent appointments and contracts, military
impressions of adverse mnjorities, prost
tuition of the public honor TO kuavish
speculators for gnin, ignoble uses OF public
war vessels for bed-ohamber purposes by
women, high Official civilities to culprits
inder indictment for felony, shielding and
supporting by legal orders the notorious
accomplices of convicts, open barter and
sale of the public offices by Cabinet officers
and near relatives of the President him
ielf: we saw these things and others like
unto them, of which this Administration
IS known 10 he unquestionnbly and con-
tpicuously guilty, would at any previous
period of our history have buried any
other Administration and any other party
than the one now i'll power beneath load
of public odium that would have forbidden
forever any possible hope of resurrection.
How, then, does II happen that the Repub-
licans can be guilty of every kind and de-
gree of corrupt administration ever prao-
tised by the worst governments, and vet
maintain a comparatively triumphant att-
tude before the country? Their practices
are offensive and shameful that any one
OF them is sufficient TO astound all honest
men. At almost any other time, and in
almost any other country. their acts would
be universally pronounced adequate cause,
ahundred times over, for Nn immediate po-
hucal revolution. How, the II, does il happen
that here in this country, where everybody
reads the newspapers, and therefore knows
the scandalous facts Of the case. there is
no universal uprising to rebuke and over
throw the criminals, such rs the case
clearly demands Are we essentially de-
bauched and demoralized? Arc we case
hardened to political immorality and
crime?
Why do not the Republican masses
universally condemn such notorious de-
pravity, or at least withhold their sup
port from those guilty OF it They
90 on in the face of every disclosure
each worse than the last, If possible
voting apparently just as though nothing
had happened. The elections this year
10 not seem To indicate any weakening
Of party support, or suudering of party
ties, among the masses of Republican
voters. In the town elections in this State
this spring the Republicans, instead of los
ing, appear TO gain largely. The spring
elections in Maine show the same general
results, so far as we have observed the re-
turns And In New Hampshire IN the
election of Tuesday they have an increased
majority Notwithstanding the Washington
scandals.
The natural result Of so much corruption
and iniquity clearly ought 10 be total
overthrow of the party. Why do we see
80 few signs of its taking place? There
ought to be an avalanche of public
oh, f,,da
aud crimes, their authors, and abettors (;
yet there is no such manifestation. What
Is the reason for this apparent insensibility
Of the public mind and conscience II is
no part Of our business to manipulate,
strain, or qualify facts. We present them
just as they are.
We hud two reasons for the strange
iyiuert appearance Of the public sense and
Judgment. The first is that the rural Re
publcans think they can uncouple then
train from the Washington engine. Fol-
example, Republicans in Maine do not
believe that by electing son OF PIrI
FEssESDEN TO the mayoralty OF Portland
they sustain the greed and corruption OF
the GRANT Administration. On the con-
lrary. they rather fiatter themselves that II
ought to be taken as valuable testimony in
behalf of strict political and moral integ-
rity. 1t is so elsewhere. The independent
localism of our interior political organiza-
lions makes them self-supporting and self
sufficient, aud justifes 10 some extent theii
claim of isolated Independence OF action
They refuse to regard their votes for we'll
approved Republican candidates of home
production. as any endorsement OF pOliu
cal rogues elsewhere. This is the genera
sentiment. and II accounts for n good dea
that would otherwise be inexplicable OF
any theory presupposing public honesty
and Intelligence.
The second reason for the apparent immo
bilty of the public conscience, Us manifest
ed in the local elections, is a profound fear O
Democratic ascendancy that is felt by thu
great mass OF decent Republicans. Their
is such an apprehension of committing thu
Government into the hands of those wh'
sought to destroy it, that numbers o.
honest men would to-day submit to almOs
any degree OF Republican maladministra
ton and wickedness, sooner than voJ'
TO give power to the Democrats Th'
record of that party in the North was A
bad during the war that it alone suffice
TO create IA degree OF distrust and dislIk,
on which politicians can still play AMI
trade; and when this feeling is reinforced
by the results of reconstruction, bringing
large number OF once actual rebel
In arms into the national halls of legisla
ton to cooperate with the Northon
Democracy, of course IL becomes in
tenslli'd. Yet, Notwithstanding all this
so vivid was the public indignation owe
the earlier delinquencies OF GRANTS Ad
muistration, that enough Republicans nc
fused to vote, or holted their ticket AM
east opposition votes, ia 1874, to over
whelmingly change the complexion 0
Congress, and give 10 the House its presen
Democratic majority
II the Democratic party had treated thi
demonstration with reserve and prudence
and with sincere recognition of its rea
meaning, they would not now perhap
ssVs cause 70 lewset We rsaeNon wRic