The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-20
A LOUD ALARuM.
A SHARP ARRIANGMENT OF
GRANTISM By AN
OLD FRIEND.
George William Curtis says the only
Way to Republican Salvation
is to Overthrow the Whole
Grant Crowd.
From Harper's Weekly.

Recent events, eliminating 10 the crime
and disgrace of the secretary OF war, the
return of our minister in England under
charge Of swiudling, and the declaration o!
the attorney general that he has ''ascer
tained' the private secretary OF the presi-
dent to be thief of private papers, leave
no sensible Republican in doubt that
there is but one way in which Republican
success can be assured in the presidential
election OF this year. That way lies in u
radical and thorough change of the spirit
and character and tone Of administration
Itls puerie to say that Mr. Belknap is
only an individual, and that party should
not be held responsible for the conduct
and character Of all who choose to act with
it. Our government is one of parties, and
the party in power crnnot evade its res
possibility. What is the value of party
principles and professions if the men
trusted to put them into practice are IN
faithful or dishonest? Can the Republi-
can party, for instance, claim to be party
of civil service reform merely because at
its last national convention it declared for
it in the most unreserved terms, but when
it had gained power contemptuously dis
carded it2 Or can the Democratic party
claim to be in any scnce the party of hard
money, whatever it may say in New York
or elsewhere, while its majority in the
house shivers and yields to the rag
champions? The truth is undeniable that
ten years ago the Republican party had
the fairest opportunity that was ever
offered to a political organization. Is it
any less true that this year its only chance
of success lies in its power to persuade the
country that it is not hopelessly corrupt?
The president must bear his share Of
the responsibility for this lamentable re-
suit The very fact that his administra-
ton has been peculiarly personal govern
ment-that he has regarded his Office as a
reward given to him tor his great services,
and not as L trust to be administered for
the common weltare-exposes him to
stronger condemnation. 1t is undeniabe
that de has maintained the most intimate
relations with men who were not generally
respected and that the palmer the easons
of the disrespect became. the closer be has
chung to them. With conspicuous excep.
tons, the better element OF the party has
regIetfnlly withdrawn from a VAIN anC
confident support of his administration
The countenance OF men so justly honoree
and eminent as Mr.. Fish, Judge Hoar, anC
Mr.. Bristow has only served to mark more
forcibly the breach that has silently ane
surely divided Republicans. And the
presidents hope of securing third nomin
ation-a hope upon his part and desigr
upon that Of his closest and most intimat,
supporters, of which our information leave
us in no doubt whatever-was instantly re
sisted by the truly patriotic part of tn
party as dangerous to the best interests O
the country. Yet all this, as we believe
has been wholly without i'll intent, and i
due to ignorance, mistaken view of hi
position, of the duties of personal friend
ship and of political responsibility. Th
president has had a sincerely patriot
desire to do his duty, but his conception G
1T mas been confused and obscure. Til
president is an intense partisan, and slo,
to believe evil of his political or persona
friends But it is notorious that his friend
ship with Mcdonald and Shepherd, hi
restoration Of Babcock to his position {
private secretary after his trial, and his r,