The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-16


out Of power for any length Of time, by an
devices. The policy heretofore pursued b
the Administration toward the South, an
particularly IN Louisiana, has cut down th
Republican majorities in the Northern State
since 1872 more than FIVE hundred thousan
votes.
1 If we sought merely party advantages W
could not regret their folly Il they continue
policy which has driven from their rank
such multtudes of men; which has plaeet
them in the minority in the Union, AM
| which will drive them out Of power in ever
city, county, and State. At the FIRST election
it would clear the Senate, and purge the Hous
Of every guilty aetor'in wrong doing. The,
have more political power to lose outside o
the Capitol at Washington than the homes
result of this election will take from them a
the seat OF Government. Complaints ar,
now made by Republicans throughout th,
country that their interests are sacrificed Il
the selfish schemes Of few leaders.
will not speak harshly Of what men MAJ
have been inclined to do before the heat 81
the contest had passed away. They have
been tempted to follow the shadow of victory
although it would prove a ghost of success
which would lead to a political grave. W.
trust that ealmer moments will bring wiser
connsels, for in the end their own partisans
will condemn them and look upon them a,
tainted men who are TO be stunned. The
political action of the year has taught the
lesson that men must not be too hot Republi.
cans If they wish to stand well with the Re.
| publican party. Its honors have not been
| given TO those who have been foremost in
defending its action or vindicating its policy.
Let those who have t,iumphed in its conyen.
tions take care that they in turn do not be.
come over Jealous, and fall as did their rivals
| by outrunning the wishes aud purposes oI
their own organization. Even those who love
the treason will desert the traitor in their
| time of trial.
At this crisis of our affairs the Democratic
party, conscious Of its strength and the lust.
ness of its position, and feeling that future
power is theirs, will do no unwise nor unpa.
triotic act which will destroy its heritage.
Its members will assert their rights and vim
dicate the character of our political institu-
tons by all legal methods. They will arouse
the spirit OF ofjustice in our people by exposing
outrages at every town, county, State, and
general election. United, vigorous, and de.
termned, they cannot be resisted by a party
whose best members will feel that they are
placed in false positions, and who will know
that the honor and interests of their country
would demand the defeat Of the organization
to which they belong. The contest under
such circumstances would for a long time
agtate and engross the American mind. II
is to be deplored, as it would check the res
toratIon Of that confidence demanded BY the
business interests of our land. The Demo.
cratic party Is too strong to be violent; it will
not forfeit the confidence ofthe people by an
display OF passion; it can assert itself through
the regular channels Of political action
Frauds may delay the course Of justice, may
excite passions hurtful to the progress Of our
country; but legal and just punishment will
surely follow. That party which controls
towns, counties, and States will control N,
country. The President, against whom /,
arrayed the body of the people, is an obiec
of sympathy, not Of fear.
Rising above all party consideration, wt
appeal TO the men of business of labor. ant
OF capital 10 assert their rights at this time
to admonish their leaders not to go too far il
trampling under foot rights that are vital /,
the security of industry and of property
such men can, if they will, by clear expires
slons OF their opinions in ways customary in
the usages OF our people, settle this question
IN accordance with right. II is not a subiec
which belongs alone to those who are active
ly engaged in political affairs. 1t is erea
American question, which concerns ever
citizen and every home. They can make |
grand exhibition OF the genius Of our Govern
ment, and of the power of its citizens. by ,
calm rebuke to frenzied rulers. Even those
| who desperately seek 10 hide the records a
past misconduct from the knowledge of oul
people, will quail before an aroused public,
have not uttered one word of reproach 10
the Republican candidates for the Offices o.
President and Vice President | have toe
much respect for the characters of Messrs
Hayes and Wheeler to think that they wish
to be put at the head of the Union agains,
the declared wishes of majority Of the
American people. do not doubt that if this
Is to be done by men in Louisiana, of whom
| they think as i'll as we do, that they would
| feel that the highest Offices of State would be
for them not positions Of honor and dignity,
but political pillories, in which they would
stand to be pointed at now and hereafter, az
the representatives of foul fraud One
thing all men see The Republican mart,
cannot decide its oicn case in its oion faro,
against the majority of the american peopye
| upon the certificate Of branded men IN Louis
lana, ictthout making the body of our citizen.
and the icorld at large feel that 1t is a cor7wp
and partisan decision. Such Judgment will
not only destroy our honor and credit for the
day, but will be precedent for wrong doinl
IN the future. We cannot have Mexican DO
lities without Mexican finance and Mexican
disorders. The business men in all civilized
countries have been taught by recent bank
ruptcIes and disorders in Governments, made
unstable by agitations, to be watchful ant
distrustful when they see the slightest deyia-
ton from political honor, without which there
can be no financial honor. On the other
hand, let the party now in power yield to the
popular will, demand honest returns in ac-
cordance with the Constitution, bow to the
majesty of the law, and then every citizer
will feel renewed confidence in our institu
tions, and the whole world will hold us il
higher respect and honor.
My faith in the party to which I am at
tached, and my indebtedness to its memberl
may cloud my Judgment, but know that
seek only to save the honor of our common
| country, and to secure the welfare of the
American people without regard TO part,
| distinction.
fervently pray that the wisdom, The
| patriotism, and fraternal love which guided
our fathers when they formed this Union AMI
framed its Government may govern us in oul
efforts to avert the dangers which thrcateI
them. God grant that we may be animated
by the patriotism which moved them q hun
dred years ago, when they sacrificed all pas
sions, all interests, and periled their lives /,
gain the political freedom Of our country
Let us not fail to be alike sclfsacrificing OF
our efforts to uphold the honor and the virtue
Of the Republic.
ssLet Grant resign is the title Of an absurd
appeal to the President, which isspread over
two columns of the New York Herald. But
| Grant never was further from fesigning thar