The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-17
make reform necessary When did VIC

torious error ever reform itself? A long
lease of power, made irresponsible by
popular majorities, so large as to promise
perpctuity has intoxicated the leaders OF
the Republican party, who found the ad
ministration of the government honest,
pure and impersonal, but who have made
It alike, the source and end of a venal
and corrupt personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
that would have abashed Robert Wal
pole, in the very prime and vigor of his
audacious prohigacy.
The great public Offices, so long closed
by party misrule to public observation,
have been opened for investigation by a
Democratic House of Representatives in
Congress, and the magnitude of the
crimes against the people, no less than
the turpitude of some of the highest OF
those intrusted with official power, have
been exposed to the gaze of an outraged
and astounded nation. Can such party,
so governed, be reformed within itself?
And if it could, what evidence has it
given of such purpose? In its Conven-
tion it voted down the only reform can
didate it had. The highest number Of
votes he received was 126, out of 756.
The issue was squarely made before the
party, and in its Convention Mr.. Bristow'
represented the only idea of reform in
the party, and that was simply an effort
to make the civil service honest in its
most subordinate agencies. He paid the
penalty of his venture.
The birds of night that had built their
nests in high places of the nation, drove
him in ignominious disgrace from the
synagogue of the party. "Doth foun-
tain send forth at the same place, sweet
water and bitter? Can the fig tree bear
olive berries either, a vine figs? What
good can come out Of such Nazareth,
when they stone to death their only
prophet?" Is it to be found in Gov.
HAYES letter of acceptance, coerced by
the power of public opinion, more
omnipotent than party organization, and
which at best, is only clean thread run
ming through dirty tissue. Declare.
tions and promises, made in the face of
imminent danger, under the duress of
political necessity, so exigent that it will
not accept any middle ground, are not
convictions but subterfuges. What re-
form has Gov. Hayes ever inaugurated IN
his official career?
. What extravaganza has he ever e{mi-
mated from the burdens of the people2 2
What corruption has he ever exposed to
indignant criticism of an outraged coun-
! try? He is a gentleman-and that is
commendation-when gentlemen are not
so common as to pass unobseryed in pub,
lie life. But something more is needed
in the Chief Magistrate of a great nation
than the private virtues that adorn do
mestic life. He must possess the indi-
/ yiduality of leadership, the courage OF
strong convictions; faith in his destiny,
and confidence in his genius. He must
be master-general-the throne itself,
greater than all the powers behind it.
Governor Hayes was nominated because
| he had none of these characteristics, and,
pre.eminently, because he was not. a
| leader. His convictions had never crys-
talized into single idea or principle.
Ifhe had faith in his destiny, it was the
subordinate and inferior destiny of mere
party allegiance if he had confidence in
his genius, it was the confidence of silent
admiration. g,
What idea does he represent, what
principle does he illustrate, but the idea
of centralism and the principle of profit
gacy? Grant him honest purposes, pa.
triotic aspirations, and the spirit of nn-
tionalizeG administration of the govern
ment, will the political Polyphemi, by
whom he is surrounded, and who have
only one eye, and cannot see how great'a
majesty there is in united and harmo-
nious brotherhood of States; in restored
simplicity Of expenditure; in an honest
and faithful responsibility of the public
service; in recovery of all the great
economies; allow to his administration
so great departure from all the rules
and traditions by which they have gov
erned the country and oppressed the peo-
pie for the last ten years? No. Gov
Hayes is the political ward of the reject.
ed lenders of the Republican party, and
will be under their direction and subject
to their control in the administration OF
his high Office.
Reform, to be worth anything, must
begin by change of party administers
ton. We must return to the simple
principles of Jefferson, and the honest
practices of Jackson, and this can be
done only through the ascendancy of the
Democratic party. The central light ii
our platform is "as a beacon upon the
i top of mountain, and as an ensign on
a hill" and the relief which it promises
is "rivers of water in dry place; as the
shadow of great rock in weary land.
1t appeals to the conscience of the
nation; to its honor, its manhood and it:
virtue. In the name of all the harrasseo
industries of the country of silent facto
ries; of bankrupt corporations !; of ruin
ed agriculture; of perishing commerce
of impoverished labor, and of PROSTATE
and dishonored credit, it invokes the
judgment of the people upon the corrup
tions of the party in power, and invite:
trust in the principles we proclaim, ano
the leader we have selected. 1t was sale
ofthe first Emperor Alexander, of Russia
that his personal character was equiva
lent to a constitution. It may with equa
truth, De SalQ OF UOVerHoT lilueH, Iud
his public career is to the exposition o
the platform, like an illuminated seal tt
royal writ. 1t is sacred pledge, above
suspicion, that the solemn promises.madt
by great party, will be nobly fulfilled
by its chosen representative.
The feeling that compelled Governor
Tilden's nomination was an outgrowtt
from both parties, reflection Of tht
moral sentiment of the whole country
of which he is the only true apostle, fo
single-handed and alone he unfurled it
banner, and bore it the fire-front of bat
tie. This was a heroism greater thar
that of leading victorious cohorts Il
foreign conquests. 1t threatened martyr
dom in the house of his friends, by hi
own people, and upon the altar of hi
own party. There is no word larg'
enough to paint his courage, and nj
honor too high to be his reward. Cal
such cause, with such leader, perish
Shall this campaign, inaugurated by tn
Deonle against the proflipacy of Republi