Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-10-14
A REPUBLICAN opIATE.

The public conscience begins to be
disturbed, and the Senator opens his
speech in the country by giving an
opiate to quiet its action. He quotes
history to show that manners and NOR
ais have at other times been worse
than they are now. OF all the subtle
and hurtful devices to satisfy men or
societies with their immoralities and
wrong doings none have been so mis-
chievous as those which lead one to
say that others have been worse than
they are. 1t is instinctively said by
every convicted criminal, "Woe to the
State that has for its standard of NOR
ais and patriotism the wrong doings of
the past. Woe to people whose lead
ers are ready to soften public indigna-
ton against corruption and fraud by
showing that such things have been
even worse in the past, and thereby
teach US to be content with compar-
ative morality" 1t was cutting satire
of the Senator upon Republican ad-
ministrations that he thus introduced
his laudations of its virtues, wisdom
and economy. In all of this he meant
to say to the people that they would
do in the future as they had in the past.
Those liberal Republicans who left
their party because they were dissatis-
fed with its conduct, are told very
plainly what they are to expect if they
return to it. He declares that the ad-
ministration of President Grant will
compare well with all preceding ad-
ministrations. He makes no except
ions even in favor of those of Wash
ington, Jefferson or Lincoln. While
we find very little moral comfort in this
speech, we are still more disappointed
by its views of business affairs. You
men of toll who suffer tortures from
your fears of the coming winter, you
men of business who are made gray
and wrinkled by anxieties, are blandly
told-I give the words of the Senator
THE times are not so bad but they
might be worse" With reasonings of
this character, he urges the people to
give again every branch of the general
Government into the hands of the Re-
publican party.
WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ASK FOR.
On our part we ask for the election
of a Democratic President and House
of Representatives This will give
each party voice in the conduct of
affairs. 1t will make no violent changes
in our laws, for none can be passed or
repealed without the assent Of Re-
publican Senate. 1t will lead TO what
the public interest in morals demands
"a sharp discussion of all the details
of public affairs. It will lead to those
investigations which will not only pun
ish, but, what is better, prevent frauds.
No party ever did or ever will closely
sift the expenditures of its partisans.
We have all of US tried to economist
in our own family and business affairs.
We know how hard it is to save our
families. How, then, can you expect
that men will go through all these
trials to save money for the public and
makes themselves poorer by doing so?
We must so arrange the machinery of
Government, under the workings of
the two parties, that its action will
tend to retrenchment and reform.
That was the very design of the found
ers of our Government when they
made its different branches, represent
ing different constituencies and elected
upon different principles. They sought
to give the minority control in GER
tain branches. One-quarter Of the
people elect a majority of the United
States Senate. If you elect a Demo-
cratic President and House, and leave
a Republican Senate, you make the
very state of things that our fathers
aimed at in our Constitution. When
oae party controls for any length of
time all branches of Government it
becomes demoralized. Itwas this uu-
checked power thatled the Democratic
party into its errors. 1t was this un-
checked power that corrupted the Re-
publican organization. Those who
diligently study the constitution of our
government will see that they sought
to multiply checks upon the despotisms
of majorities. Its great distinguish
ing feature is the fact that it tries to
protect the rights of miuorities. Nay.
more than this, it has by its declara
tions aud its organizations so guarded
the rights of each citizen that the
humblest man of our land can then
defy the whole body of our people
if they seek to trample apon the
rights of person, property or consci-
enee. Elect, then, Tilden and Hen
bricks to the high executive offices,
choose men like Mr.. Lord for Con-
gress, and make the House of Repre-
sentatives Democratic; leave the Sen
ate, with its vast power of control and
appointments. in the hands Of the Re-
publicans. You have then the checks
upon arbitrary power designed by our
fathers. You place both political or
ganizations under conditions where
they have the highest motives to COM
mend themselves to the American peo-