The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-15
The Republican Party Utterly Corrupt

If there was nothing else to revolt the
country at the prospect of four years more
OF Grantism under n new name, the spec
tacle presented at Cincinnati ought TO be
sufficient to excite Indignation.
Convention supposed 10 represent the
intelligence, the integrity, and the worth
of the Republican party, is now sitting
there engaged in the business of nomnat-
ing candidates for the two highest Offices
in the gift of the people. That Convention,
however while il ha' sprinkliug of
honorable aud worthy men, is really run
by Federal, Stlte, and municipal Office
holders, by the agents of great corpora
tions, aud by Ring chiefs. There is still
another class, who WELD very consider
able influence in its councils. This is the
class of specializing politicians who look
with envy upon the plumber appropriated
by GRANT and his friends, and seek
change OF Administration in order that
they may step into the shoes OF these lucky
predecessors. While the people are suffer
ing from unexampled staguation in all
their industries, and there is n general de-
mand for reformation Of abuses, economy
in public expenditures auda return to sim
pie government, these politicians are only
seeking TO promote their own ends, and
by any means however d ,sperate.
Nearly one-half OF this Convention went
there committed to JAMES G.. BLAINE. The
delegates were generally chosen before the
recent damning exposures but with gem
ern knowledge of his venal character and
loose practices III Congress. Instead Of be-
ing weakened by these revelations. their
Janl il iuTpnaifa1 md fbpir an
HANGED. Putting aside all the familiar
charges of jobbery i'll and out OF Congress
with which BLAINE has been assaulted for
years, and excluding from view every
thing but his own letters, even when Ill
tered and mutllated 10 conceal the truth
who can read them but with strong sense
OF humiliation at seeing the possibility of
such man being presented rs candidate
for the Presidency He confesses in two
OF these letters that he suggested and aid
ed the legislation. first as a member Of the
House and then as Speaker, by means of
which lobby schemes were carried through
wherein he was a large beneficiary. 1t
cannot be denied that lie prostituted his
trust TO these objects, for he has written il
down in blazing characters OF disgrace.
What effect these proofs have produced on
the Convention may be easily judged by
the obstinacy and even the enthusiasm with
which his advocates have adhered to him.
Not only has no apparent impression been
produced by the most startling disclosures
Of vennlity, but, on the contrary, they are
accepted as evidence OF BLAINEs superior
smartness and adaptation for their uses
should he be elected President. While
there Is loud cry for reform all over
the Union, here are delegates from North
and South, East and West, pressing the
nomination of candidate who, in his
own person, aud according TO his own adj
missions, represents the very abuses that
have provoked 30 much resentment, and
which they pretend TO condemn. 1t is in
this way they propose TO reform the party
from the inside
All these evidences demonstrate that the
Republican organization is hopelessly rot
ten, and wholly unworthy TO he charged
with the responsibility Of government. If
the very best of all the candidates named
should he chosen, he would be power
less to correct the existing evils. The
party machine is stronger than any presi-
dent could be, even ir well disposed To
put the knife to abuses. Corruption l.
established now rs normal condition of
the public service, and there is no hope
OF eNtlrpating 1t at all without a change
oil party rs well as Of administration.