The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-10-05
GAN A PARTY REFORM ITSELF 2

Most assuredly it can if it will. The 10tll is the
only imperative term. 1T seems to have passed
into maxim with certain class of ReformerS
that no party can reform itself It is logically
unsOund and only has show of truth where the
subject of reform is conscientiously pursuing an
erroneous principle In such case even, self
reform is not hopeless, though the lines of pro-
gress may be slow. Self reform is the normal
principal of the race. For the individual every
other reform is of little worth. We all recognize
this fact in the life long experience Of the race.
What is so logically true of the individual can
not be untrue of society, party, or nation COM
posed of individuals. The nation is constantly
reforming its laws. The churches their creeds
| and especially seeking to reform the lives and
| conduct Of its members, sustaining the weak,
casting out the vile. Wherever we turn to proph-
ct or sage the burden of their song is, self-re-
orm. 1t is the normal movement of the race to
higher civilization, to perfection.
Why then cannot the Republican party re-
form itself? Has it become constituencies, in
sane, or welded to any great fundamental error,
delusively blind to any fatty or pernicous prin-
ciple that is likely to sap the foundation of free
government. It's worstEenemy has not yet uttered
so damaging charge. The grayamen of the
Democratic charges is, corruption, extravaganza,
and the enforcing of injudicious and unconstitu-
tional measures upon the country not incapacty
or moral inSensibility. The gravamen of the
Liberal charges against the Republican party
four years ago was that it persisted in re-nomi-
mating Gen. Grant for the Presidency after four
years experience which had convinced them
Oughtn not to be repeated. The leaders and office
holders persisted, the party acquiesced A mis-
take which the party was quick to atone for by
its prompt negative upon Eall movement toward
third term lby its letting the northern election
of 1874, go by default, by an awakened con-
science to its own errors in the past admnistra-
ton which prevented any candidate hostile to-
or even negative to reform from receiving NOM
nation, but instead thereof selected leaders
whose records were unimpeachabe-whoS as
pirations and solemn pledges struck the key note
of a practical reform for all parties.
The Republican party has already reformed in
much that was offensive to the Liberal. 1t has
fesSion of its errors, inaugurated prosecutions
against offenders. Even President Grant is
committed to the work he cannot if he would
go back upon his key note, 'Let no guilty man
escape" To be true to his promises President
Hayes, if elected, will make those words a
slogan cry against all crooked government off1c-
iaIs This election upon his own platform which
he has voluntarily made, which required a
courage to make, will leave him free
from all of Gen. Grants entangling alliances.
He aciN be President-the Office and the man
giving mutual dignity to each, an olympus COM
ing none to soon. Again where better can one
find the elements Of reform than in the Republi-
can party. The advanced intelligence of the
age is there, the more cultured, sensitive con-
science is there. There is upon it, no night
mare of the middle ages casting a glamour of
uture gloryon an adherence TO the ignorance and
rms Of the past, lettering its free thought or
lction no ugly Renaissance of service, devotion
II acquiesence in national treason on its ban
ers like the damned spot' on the Democratic
ecord of 1876, which no ''perfumes of Arabia
viii sweeten." Its ever memorable past glory
eing it's strongest motive to future achievement,
Would we speed our nation through the cealing
entury with march as majestic IN the line of
rogress as her past tread has been, we cannot
o it by voting the old Bourbon Democracy and
outhern confederates to the front only by push
1g on the car of freedom and free thought Of
UNIVERSAL liberty without regard to race or colcr,
f free schools and free worship which find
heir congenial home in the Republican party,
an we do it. J. B. JILsUN.