Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-06-22
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA.
TslE fact that the Republican Coz


TslE| fact that the Republican Con
yention i'll seeking candidate for the
presidency rejected every man of
prominence, aud every one whose Off
cial life and conduct was known bv the
American people, is very significant.
They boast OF what the party has done,
yet those who have been leaders il,
their great achievements and who have
attainedi a national reputation, have
been rejected aud from the obscure
ranks of political life, they select
men who, for the first time, are
brought prominently before the nation.
A stronger evidence of the weakness
of the party could not be evinced.
If their doctrines and those who zeal.
ously maintained them cannot receive
the support of the people, can they ex.
pect to secure that support by placing, as
standard bearers, men whose only claim
to the position is their obscurity
evidence that they will become willing
Instruments in the hands of the corrupt
leaders who have heretofore been tn
living exponents of the principles of the
party? A party whose prominent men
can not be trusted will hardly secure
public confidence by this miserable
underhanded policy. They were afraid
TO nominate such men as Blaine, Morton
or Conkling who had been in sympathy
with Republican corruption, and dared
not nominate a man like Bristow who
could not be controlled by party checks
in his efortto rid the government of
bribery and thieving. Between the
extremes they have sought safety, and
by their action have proclaimed TO the
american people that the great Repub-
lican party which out a few years ago
delighted in proclaiming itself the par
ty of advanced ideas, the leader of pub
lie opinion, now cringes to the local
predjudices of the different sections and
covers before the manly expression OF
the public, as it awaits the doom which
their treachery, dishonesty and brazen
effrontery have brought upon them.
Their platform is mere jargon of
words, intended to please all classes
ambiguous promises land determining
no settled principles Itpromises much
but commits the party to nothing. A
mere political trick, lodging every
issue and meeting none. The platform
taken in connection with the policy
evinced by the selection of candidates
is in itself evidence that the party is
already anticipating the dangers, which
torebode defeat aud disaster. All the
manufactured enthusiasm of defunct
leaders and expectant politicians will
not save them. They have invited
defeat and the people will not be slow
TO accept the invitation.
The private reputation of Gen.
Hayes, is creditable. He is said to be
a nam of good character but of moder~
ate ability. A man who could run the
government in a negative manner
without innpressing upon the nation
any Of the individual characteristics of
the real statesman; a man, who, ifl
surrounded by good influence, com
United to a sound platform and sup
ported and sustained by men of honor
aud of patriotism, would make credi~
table president; but perched upon the
striped, potato bug, commit;al,
eyasive Cincinnati platform, surround
ed by Blaines, and Mortons, and
Conklings, and other men OF party /
reputation and national detestatiop,
he will, we fear, be but wooden man, !
under whose protection the corruption
lists of the present administration would |
seek shelter. In their straits they will |
not hesitate to swing aloft the bloody |
shirt and from the Atlantic to the |
Pacific, proclaim to duped followers
the wrongs of the poor emancipated
freedmen of the South. The old |
stories will be repeated, and whenever
sectional animosity can be aroused,
Republican hopes will be bouyant.-
But with the thinking, oppressed, over
taxed, robbed people, these empty cries
which have been for fifteen years the
cover of radical stealings, will excite
only suspicion and distrust. Let the !
Democracy of the country stand firm,
and pursue straight forward, honest |
course, select the best men as candi- !
dates and the nation will bear aloft the |
banner which is destined to hurl from
power the minions of corrupt party.
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The Citizen and Gazette, the white
outside, black inside Radical paper of
Urbana. Ohio, speaks of the Shenan-