Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-01

-, - diois rsvefsntIy held Nor is the
party srraigned because it's work has not
been wise, benefcent and grand in it's re-
suits. On the contrary, no one is bold
enough to propose TO undo that work.
Even the democratic party has been forced
to abandon its long and desperate resist
ance to declare its acceptance of the re-
suits of republican statesmanship, to pledge
itself that it will abide by issues that are
settled, and stand upon the new guarantees
the Constitution.
No, gentlemen, the protest is not against
the record or the creed, but against the
methods Of administration against domiu-
aut influences and tendencies that have de-
based the character and tone of the public
service; against leadership that has
welded power and patronage for its own
ends, and not for the public good against
a partisanship narrow, intense and violent,
that has usurped the place of a broad and
enlightened etatesmauship and repelled ac-
cesslons of recognized character and ability
as an element too repugnant to be toler-
ated; against a code of financial morality
that has corrupted the standards Of official
honesty and turned places of public trust
into opportunities of private gain or public
pluuder.
forbear to enter upon the details of q
chapter of dishonor which has tinged with
shame and indignation the cheek of every
American citizen, aud brought dscredit up
on Republican institutions throughout the
world Nor will criticise the spirit aud
motive that have turned Democratic ma
| jorlty into grand jury OF inquest, with the
manfestlpurpose OF going to the country,
not upon its own well-doing, but upon it's
| success in soiling Republican vestments
We claim no right to set off because the
mighty have not fallen in our high places
alone. From whatever motive, and at
whosesoever hands, let the iuquisition go on
until the unclean spirit, though his name
be legion, is wholly cast out, and our own
party, at least, is found clothed and in it's
right mind. And let us not forget to thank
heaven that there have been found in the
public service so many at whom the shafta
of suspicion have not been aimed, or from
whose armor of honesty they have fallen
broken aud harmless and there have not
been wanting in our ranks towering exam
pies of distinguished service, of statesman
like ability, of stern integrity and unflinch-
ing courage.
Observe with me for a moment, gentle
men, some of the forces of opinion and SEN
tlment that indicate the drift and demand
of the hour. Note, first, the anxious look
ing for relief from the long continued de-
preston that rests upon the material in.
terests of the country and the feeling that
some change, some new diepensation, is es-
sential to such relief There doubtless ex,
lists, to some extent, an unreasoning i'm.
patience that would " shift the side, ever
If it must g keep the pain" But there ii
also a well founded conviction that we have
had enongh of partisan skirmish and inef
fciency, Of manipulation for political ef
feet, Of the spirit that is content with plac
ing the opposition at a disadvantage ant
that it is time, and full time, for a part,
that proposes to stand on its positive mer
its--for statesmanship that undertake.
: to do something for the country, that i
competent to deal with the evils Of q cur
J rency which blunts the public conscienc
while it paralyzes the business of the peo
Pile, to purify the service by selecting tn
fit and promoting the faithful,t to rescue tn
public revenues from conspiracy and theft
[continxsd on second Fags