The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-05-23
Republican Reform without Re-
formers.


formers.
Not the least among the noticeable fea
tnrcs Of the Independent Political Coun
Gil held in New York, last week, is the list
of distinguished names appearing in the
proceedings. Among the active partici-
pants we're CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS,
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, CARL ScHURz,
HORACE WHITE and ex Governor JACOB
D C,x, Of this State 1t will be observed
that not one OF these has been Demo.
crat
This becomes more significant when
we add to this list the names of other en-
inent and leading men. who cut loose
from party. There may. be mentioned
among the recent dea l, GREELEY, CHASE,
RAYMOND, SEWARD and SUMNER, who
were the founders of the Republican par
~. Among those still living are TRuM,
BULL, BowLEs, REID, HALsTEAD, BANKS
and CURTIN, all Of whom have distin-
guished themselves by eili,ient service to
that party.
Now when we look for the distinguish
ed Democrats, who, during the same pe-
riod, have seeded from the Democratic
party. we look in vain. There must be
some cause for this state ofaffairs. These
cases are too numerous to be regarded a.
the resultof casual circumst ances-there
must be some cause Of more general
prevalence and SO great.a number from
one party and none frJins the: other, is
more than coincidence ~: g.
That it was not selfish motives which
Influenced these men, is sufficiently shown
By the fact that they left the majority par
ty-the party which had the means to re-
ward party services. That none left the
Democraiicparty is not. to be attributed
10 firmer party discipline, for when the
Democrats took a questionable position
on tie war issues, tens of thousands, in.
cluiing great and small, deserted it.
There Is but one solution to the qnes
ton which satisfies the reason, and that
is, that the R publican party has become
less worthy of support-that its worst
men have wrested the control of it from
it's best men. A single glance at the lead
ers now, and glance at its earlier lead
ers settles this point. Let the reader look
over the names above ci,e;l-no purer
men ever voted Republican ticket
then think moment Of GRANT apd CAM
ERoN and BUTLER and MoaToy and all the
rest of them-a horde of selfish, intrigu:
ing tricksters, or worse still, corrupt
themselves and the defenders of corrup-
ton.
When so many of its tblest and purest
members leave party, it Is time for all
its honest members to look we'll to its
practices and tendencies So has thought
Mr.. F. W. BIRD, of Massachusetts,, the
most influential Republican in his State,
and be expresses his views in letter to
the Chairman of the Liberal party. He
says:
For years have loved and trusted the
Republican party. 81 stood by its era
die" in Massachusetts, when Samuel
Hoar. Stephen C. Phillips, Horace Mann,
Charles Allen, Burlingame, Andrew, Sum
ner. Wilson. Howe, Robinson-all now
gone to their reward-were, its, leaders
or the living, Palfrey, Adams, Whittier,
CO operated with this noble array of mar
tyrs, bearing the Republican banner
without fear and without reproach. On
a broader field, Lincoln, Chase, Seward,
Trumbull. Schurz, led the Republican
forces from one triumph to another in
the battle for human rights Under such
leaders it was an honor to serve. One
by one most of these great men fell by
the way, and all who survive are exc'u-
ded flom the councils of the party which
they formed and to which they gave the
inspiration Of ideas. And now, who for
years have beea the recognized leaders
Of the Republican party2 Grant, Cam
eron, Morton. Conkling, Logan, B'aine.
"Look 6rst upon this picture and then
on this" and tell me how. for years past,
l could fail TO pray "Draw me out OF
this crowd"
Time would fail me to describe the de-
moralization which has naturally result
ed to the entire party from this change
of leadership; nor is it necessary. The
daily journals have been SO filed with
revelations of official malfeasance tina,
the public stomach has become nausea
ted and the public conscience hardened
until rascalilies which a few years ago
would have aroused universal indigna.
ton, now pail upon the public sense. II
is idle to dwell upon the past, except to
learn lessons Of public duty; and tha
duty is reform.
As to the means for affecting this re-
form for which the demand is so urgen,
and so general, Mr.. Bird is equally ex
plici.: a,.4
Ny hope is in the American people
The President of the future must repre-
sent honesty, economy and reform O
the host of claimants to the Republican
nomination one name alone meets thes,
requirements, aud that name of itsel
might be sufficient guarantee were i
not that he would 60 into power ham
pered by the corrupt men who contro
the present Administration and the par
ty. Sc .<.
In the dark and troubled, night that i
upon us see but one star Of hope-th'
united Democratic party Of the United
States. Confidence, I am aware, is
plant of slow growth. Distrust OF th'
Democratic party is, Idoubtnot, honest
" entertained by the best, portion of tn
Republican party, and dishonesty pro
claimed as their most effective partisan
cry by the worst l do not partake o
the views of the one class; Iutterly de
spise the hypocrisy Of the other. ] hav
prevailing confidence that sixteen year
Of .purgation and punishment have ha'
their effect in purifying the Democrat
party in, perhaps, as great degree as six