The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-08-12
Political sfiairs.
oARL soHuRz DIssBoFEp.


A. Ahtt hptAhh fhoM Mn. foAiAehn'
10 tkc Editor cfthe AZ 4 WoFld-
Sin You know that as the former cdi-
tor Of Mr.. Schurz's newspaper, for some
time his associate in business, and for
many years bis follower in politics, am
not apt to Judge either his remarkable
ability, or his still more remarkable recent
EomeTsaalt, in any other spirit than that
Of Kindness. But the appeals Of political
friends are SO numerous, my convictions
upon the pending Presidential election 50
strong, my sense Of duty so plain, that |
must ask for space in your paper-the
quality Of which 50 grandly outstrips all
qnautity--to notice the recent manifesto
Of Mr.. Schurz.
That manifesto, though nominally ad-
dressed 10 Mr. 0ttendorfer Of the New
York Sgdfts zsiiailg, is really intendedfor
the whole country, and particularly for
German votes.
Its extreme eugth--nearly five columns
speaks for the feebleness Of the cause
for which it pleads. Ipromise to be much
shorter.
The amazing attitude Of Mr. Schurs is
simply this.
He does not pretend to be Republican.
For the last six years he has acted in OPP
position to that party. For the last six
years he has made himself conspicuous by
his demands for reform. For the last six
years he has been engaged in destroying
the Republican party to build upon its
ruins new party. For the last six years
he has made himself prominent by his
savage criticism Of the rottenness Of the
present Administration and all its leading
supporters. In the May conference Of
Performers" at the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
Mr.. Schurz protested against the nominal
ton of any man in Cincinnati whose re-
cord as reformer was not above all doubt.
He particularly protested against any cam
didate whose negative merit consisted in
nothing; that is to say, having done
nothing, nothing can be said against him.
Mr. Schurz now astonishes the world by
calling Mr.. Hayes great reformer, whose
election would insure the much-needed
changes in Washington and everywhere
else
| consider this assertion an insult to the
intelligence Of even the least intelligent.
Mr. Schurz has an undoubted right to
prefer Governor Hayes without assigning
his private reasons, but he has no right
to base his action upon utterly false rea-
sons. The people Of the United States
have an undoubted right to elect Mr..
Hayes if they like the present regime,
and prefer to be robbed rather than give
up their party prejudices. But they must
put it upon the proper ground, and not
upon the preposterous idea Of calling Mr..
Hayes great reformer. For what is the
record
The May conference of "reformers" de-
manded the nomination Of Bristow and
denounced the present Administration and
al It's leading supporters. 9SI Il
Cincinnati answered by overwhelmingly
defeating Mr.. Bristow and unanimously
indorsing Grants shameful Administra-
ton,
The reformers demanded reform and
change and publication, and Cincinnati
astonished the world by coming within
almost less than hairs breadth Of
nominating for the Presidency man Of
whose stupendous guilt as an honorless
corruptionist there had just been given
the freshest and most overwhelming proof
BY defeating the only candidate who had
a record Of reform; by unanimously vim
dicating the national disgrace called Grant
Administration; by openly plcdging the
party TO favor system of tariff which
plumbers the many to "protect" the few,
establishes privileged classes at the ex-
pense Of the masses, and by placing upon
this platform Mr.. Hayes, the obscurest Of
all the candidates.
Who, pray, was Mr. Hayes? What
great public service had he ever rendered
what eminent ability had he ever shown,
what reform ever accomplished, what in
dependence Of character displayed, what
public or private virtues manifested, to
merit the dazzling dignity Of filing the
place once ennobled by Washington and
a Jefferson2
TIE answer came--Hayes has never
stolen
Good God Has 1t come to this? Is
man entitled to the Presidency because
he is merely honest? Has this simple
quality become SO rare 10 our republic as
to require such reward? And can there
be more pitiable commentary upon the
party in power than that it.''points with