Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-09-02

Mr.. Lamar in the very able speech he
recently delivered in the House OF Rep
reseutatiyes said that what the South
wanted was local self government.
thought the South had ii. If 1t has
not, how did he go to Congress If
Mississippi has not local selt-govern-
ment what sort of a government is 1t
which controls Mississippi and has just
elected him to the United States Sen,
ate If you wish to know, then, the
ground Of my support of Hayes 1t is
this Any good which the Southern
people might derive from the election
of Tilden would equally result from
their support of Hayes. They can vote
for Hayes, but they can't elect Tilden,
But | am far from thinking that the
election of Democrat, even if such a
thing were possible, would be an un-
mixed blessing to the South. On the
contrary fear it would open Pando-
ra's bcx of evils. The very remote
prospect has already excited hopes and
expectations that can never be realized.
If such a thing should occur as the cleo
tion of President by united South
combining with mere fragment OF the
North it would simply revive the old
conflict of the sections. y transtorma-
ton has taken placei n the state OF par
ties The Republican now represents
the principles of conservatism, while
can conceive no worse form of radical
ism than the reactionary movement
that would fall on Bourbon restora-
ton. No one desires more than do
that the South should get lis full share
of the benefits and exercise a just intin-
ence in the Administration of the Govern
ment But this cannot be done by vo-
ting for Tiden.
But the Democrats are going to
rebuild everything if they get possession
of the Government, they say. Have
YOU ever known party out of power
that did not promise reform to get I'M
Has there been one single abuse expos
ed for which the Democrats have not
established precedent! DO you think
that ahigher standard of morality would
prevail in public life by transferring the
influence of Tammany Hall to Washing
ton? Has that been aproper school TO
educate rcformers? know nothing of
Governor Tilden except that he has
long been the leader of his party in
New York, whose colossal robberles
have been the opprobium of American
politics When Governor Tilden has
purified politics in his own State it will
be time enough then to turn his atten-
ton to the national administration. 1t
was Only about twelve months ago that
Tweed was released from prison on
habeas corpus by decision Of the New
York Court of Appeals, composed OF
seven Democratic Judges. Mr.. Charles
OConor, the Nester of the New York
bar, in a letter published at the time,
charged that the decision was produced
through the corrupt influence of Tweeds
money. Here was a splendid case tor
an investigation, far eXcelling in enor-
nifty the sale Of a a..sutership; yet these
Judges remain unimpeached and are
still wearing the ermine of justice l
allude to this fact to show the lone of
political morality Of the party of which
Gov. Tilden has been the acknowledge
head ever since the retirement of Tweed.
| lie proposes to reform the civil service;
but how! BY change in the syst n
of appointments Not at all; but by
filing the offices with his partisans,
who will flock to Washington las fierce
as famine and hungry as the grave.
When the offices have thus been all
filed somebody will then have to reform
the retormers. The character OF such
bogus pretenders is well described in
the language Of Junius, as resembling
the termagant chastity Of a prude who,
while she prosecutes one lover for rape,
invites lewd embraces OF another.
That official trusts held under the
Administration have been abused no
one denies that the delinquents
have not been screened by their
party associates is equally true.
Any observer can see that those who
have been most forward in exposing
corruption are now the most earnest in
supporting Hayes. But it is said that
no party can reform abuses in its own
ranks. | cannot accept such theory
of human depravity. | do not see why
a party, like an individual, can't reform
itself. If this were not so we would
have to chronicle daily the rise and fall
Of new party 1t is claimed that the
Democrats have done great good by
their Investigations. This may be so,
and yet is no proof of capacity for the
administration of affairs. The act OF
the detective may be very necessary
and useful in the economy Of Govern
ment, but has never been considered an
element of craftsmanship. know very
well the measure of dcnuncia on which
the expression of these sentiments will
receive from the people in whose cause
l shed my l,oo! and sacrificed the
prime of my life. BE it so | wait on
time for my viudication. To those who
now assail me reply, in the language
of Edmund Burke, when charged with
deserting his constituents in opposing
the American war, 81 did not obey
your instruction. No; | conformed 20
the Instructions of truth and nature
and maintained your interests against
your opinions. / am, indeed, to look to
your opinions, but such opinions as you
and must have five years hence. l was
not to look to the flash of the day.
haya thus piyeu to yOu at more