The Republican journal., 1876-06-01
The Prog. Age on Official Corrup-
ton. An Organ that Plays Various
Tuue4

An exchange of views has been for some
weeks going on in the columns of the Pro-
gressive Age, between the editor of that
paper and the Rev. Mr. Ross of this city
That clergyman, on a Sabbath evening a
few weeks ago, delivered q discourse from
the text, Thou shalt not STEAL" in which
he portrayed and deplored the corrupt
practice OF the times, especially by those
in official position. The Age Immediately
attacked the sermon, asserting that the
reverend gentleman was mistaken, or to
quote the exact language, said this
Our clereymen are so much in the habit of
dealing with what appears TO unregenerate
minds an unreal world that it is not to be much
wondered nj, when they attempt to discourse
upon politics they fall into the regions of fancy
ani regard phantoms AS facts.
Mr.. Ross takes issue with this. reiter-
ates his assertion, and cites authorities
within the Republican party which sustain
his position.
For any oue to seriously deny the pre-
vaiing corruptions, after so many instan-
ces have been brought to public notice, is
to sin against light and knowledge. 1t is
well known that the late Senator Sumner,
=. man whose personal purity was never
questioned by friend or foe, and who la
bored for the establishment and success of
the Republican party, and achieved fame,
army officer at a frontier post-was driven
from the honorable position of Chairman
Of the Committee on Foreign Affairs be-
cause he dared oppose the Presidential
schemes of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and plumber.
The proposed acquisition of San Domin-
90 was conceived in fraud and iniquity,
and, had it been successful, would have
enriched all who were parties to the plot.
The go-between, that brought Grant and
the negro President Baez to an under
standing, was the same Babcock, Pres-
dental private secretary, who SO power
fully aided the whiskey swindlers.
Mr. Sumner, from his place in the SEN
ate, accused the President of attempting
to carry out this netarious scheme by
misuse of the army and navy, violation Of
the constitution, and usurpation. lie told
him plainly that he was the head of Ku
klux more powerful and dangerous than
any in the country, the object of which
was to steal one-half of an island in the
Caribbean sea. These bold and timely
warnings defeated the plan. but Sumner
was made to feel Presidential and party
vengeance. 1t did not spare Greeley, or
Schurz or Trumbull, who supported Sum
ner, and who were at once read out of the
party, by the very men who now control
its councils.
The statement of Senator Sumner that
the President was at the head of band OF
ku klux and robbers, receives remarkable
confirmation through recent developments
in the south. The manner in which the
people of South Carolina, Louisiana and
Mississippi have been robbed and out
ragged is now a matter of history. Gov
Ames, CT the latter state, to save removal
by impeachment, resigned in disgrace
Ames would never have been Governor
for an hour but for the support of the bay
onets controlled at Washington. with
guilty knowledge of his corrupt practices.
The Republican Attorney General of that
state, e.. E. Harris, some time ago wrote
a letter to the President, in which he ex-
posed some of the corrupt practices sane
toned by Ames. This letter was published
in the New York Tribune Of the 22d. We
copy a portion, as follows
Gov. Ames was inaugurated in January, 1874,
under the most favorable auspices. His address
promised economy and reform, and was well
received by the whole country. Even our po
litical opponents, in state OF disruption, many
Of them having voted for him, expressed will |
lingness to support him in all that he had prom
ised and advised. But instead of encouraging
every indication of returning friendship, his |
cold indifference drove them at once into a d- |
rect antagonism. He seemed to contract his |
views and narrow his circle of friends to few |
advisers, as it were, a close cOrpor-
alton of mercenary men, who knew but little of |
the wants of the people of the State and cared |
ess-men who have no identity of interest or |
in common with the people of the |
State.
And to deal plain l must call names-A. r. |
Howe and few lesser lights, if possible; Ray
mond, the State Printer and chief clerk in the |
Treasurer's office, lobbyist around the Legisla-
ture, especially on the printing bills, which |
BOO would be too much. He leaves his printing
office in the hands of another it Is said at sal.