The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-03-29
Our Washington Letter.
Special to the REPUBLICAN.
WAsHINGToN, d. c., Mar "a, '76.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Mar "a, '76.
"Tempus nutanter ct mos mutdnter
cum cum ellis" the old Romans used
to say which, being rendered in the
vernacular, means,
"Times change and we change with
them," aud its truth was never
more fully verified than to-day.
The wonderful tergiversation of par
ties and remarkable changes in indi-
vidual opinion has never been so sud-
den and extreme as now. Men like
the chameleon seem to take their hue
from the color of the substance upon
which they rest. With the animal it
might be the peculiar bark of tree
or the particular color of a leaf but
with his imitator man, position, pow
er, or pelf seem to be the active agent
in forming at least his political COM
plsxion. With the democracy Of to-
day this is undeniably the case and
being thoroughly conscious of the fact
that an itching palm is now and ever
has been the Distinguishing badge of
all their order they at once discover
how the republicans we're enabled to
carry New Hampshire; federal gold
impaired a republican hue to the
democratic chamsleons of the State.
Now one would suppose that party
who joyfully hope that they have dis.
covered "big bonanza" in the deal.
cations of single republican official
would be slow to admit that such a
swarm of them like a herd of swine
had been bought and sold. 1t once
occurred that couple of women got
into a violent quarrel, and the daugh-
ter of one of them seeing that affairs
were approaching crisis, came slyly
up to her mother and softly said,
NANNY call her bad names before she
calls you one Now doubtless the
democratic party are quite familiar
with this story, aud hence the unseemly
haste with which the blatant cry of
Rogue! rogue! roguel' with which
the party has been exercising its lungs
for the past few weeks.
A few short years back and polite
al parties contested for superiority
upon great questions of national poll
cy, or political economy, and ask even
democrat of that day why he was a
democrat and he in some instances
might give reason however falla-
cious. But the honest DENNY Of to-
day when asked the question pro oudly
lifts his unkempt locks aud tells you
it's because his father was one before
him.
The democracy proudly claim as
their founder Thomas Jefferson,
whose RSssSS 1RPoS RSsHfS Io% Sss estimate Of
human nature in general and a con-
tempt of the majority in particular.
Hence in attempting to elevate him.
self to the chief magistraeY Sc :ts ''H X on-
ion his methna -~s 10 vllllfy Wash
: aud at the same time court the
foibles, prejudices, and low propensi-
ties of the million. Demagogism was
his system, and never has the teach.
ings of a leader been more willingly
followed than are his by his party of
the present day. He was the father,
the founder, the establisher, of dema.
gogism in this country, and this un.
manly and debasing system of polit-
les has since continued to contamin.
ate and debaueh the politics of the
land. Power is ennobling when honor.
ably acquired and patriotically en-.
ployed, put when obtained by in
trigue and used for selfish ends it is
degrading alike to him who exercises
1t, and to those who are subjects to its
influence. 1t was during the second
contest between jackson and Adams
that another element, that of hero
worship. was added TO the promiscu-
Gus teachings of Jefferson. In that
contest Gen. Jaekson's war record
gave him one hundred and seventy
three ELECTORAL votes. to Mr.. Adams
eighty-three. Tho same spirit per-
vades the party still, and forcible
illustration of its power was exhibited
in the contest Of Mr.. Clay aud Mr..
Polk. There lived at that time in
this city an Irish gentleman who
held the position of public gardener
and WAS { heavy piece Of ordinance