Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-10-19


WHERE THE TROUBLE Is.
Our troubles spring in great dcgrc
from public rather than from poitica
decentralization. 1t is sad truth tha
VIC must confess that all branches o
government represent the spirit 0
speculation and the efforts TO gail
wealth by other means than by indus
try and economy. We cannot corrcc
these evils, we cannot get back oul
people upon q higher plane of moral
and habits by partisan abuse. Reform
: must begin with each man in his habit
and those of bis family. Political par
ties must show their merits by ferret
ing out wrongs in their own ranks
and they must prove their claims tt
) public support, not by conccaling, bu
by exposing tho guilt of their parti
, sans. The highest tribute paid to tht
labors of GovcrnorTildcn and TO those
who are upholding him is the fact thai
Republican journals and speakers claim
that their exposure reflect most strong
y upon the party TO which they arc
attached. The darkest shadow which
rests upon their party is made by the
fact that they assai these efforts al
reform, and arc more anxious to con
denim the conduct or mistakes of the
men who are laying bare hidden crimes
than they are TO punish criminals. An
occasional compliment to tho Governor
or vehement claim that they mean
to uphold him in his work, do mol
affect the constant stream of censurC
or the labors to break down his sup
portcrs
A REPUBLICAN opIATE.
The public conscience begins to be
disturbed, and the Senator opens hi:
speech in the country by giving an
opiate to quiet his action. He quotes
history TO show that manners and
+ morals have at other times been worse
than they are now. OF all the subtle
and hurtful devices 10 satisfy men OF
societies with their immoralities and
wrong doings none have been SO mis-
chicvous as those which lead one to
say that others have been worse than
they are. 1t is mstinctivcly said by
every convicted criminal, "Woc TO the
State that has for its standard Of morals
and patriotism the wrong doings Of the
past Woe to a people whose leaders
are ready TO soften public indignation
against corruption and fraud by show.
ing that such things have been even
worse in the past, and thereby teach
us to be content with a comparative
morality" II was cutting satire Of
the Senator upon Republican admins.
tratlons that he has introduced his
laudations oi It's virtues, wisdom
and economy. In all of this he
meant to say to the people they would
do in the future what they had done
in the past. Those liberal Republicans
who left theirparty because they were
dissatisfied with its conduct, arc told
very plainly what they are TO expect
il they return to IT, lie declares that
the administration Of President Grant
will compare well with oil preceding
administrations. lie makes no except.
ions even in favor of those of Wash
lngton, Jefferson or Lincoln. While
We find very little moral comfort in
this speech, we are still more disap-
pointed by its views of business affairs.
You men OF toll who suffer torturcs
from your fears Of the coming winter
you men of business who are made
gray and wrinklcd by anxictics, arc
blandly told--l give the words of the
Scnator--"Thc times are not so bad
but they might be worse With
rcasonings of this character, he urges
the people to give again every branch
of tho general Government into the
hands of the Republican party.
WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ASK ron.
On our part we ask for the election
ofthc 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 DO passed or
repealed without the assent of Re.
publican Senate. 1t will load TO what
thepublic interest in morals demands
a sharp discussion of oil the details Of
public affairs. II will lead to those in.
vcstigations which will not only pun.
ish, but, what is better, prevent frauds
No party ever did or ever will closely
silt the expenditures of its partisans.
We have all of us tried TO economist
in our own family and business affairs.
We know how hard il is to save our
own money for the benefit of our fam.
lilies. How, tbcn, can you expect that
men will 90 through all these trials to
save money for the public and make
themselves poorer by doing so2 We
must so arrange the machinery of
Government, under the workings Of
the two parties, that its action will
tend TO rctrenchment and reform. That
was the very design Of the founders Of
our Government when they made It's
different branches, representing differ.
ent constituencies and elected upon
different principles, They sought to
give the minority control IN certain
branches. Onc-quarter Of the people
elect n majority Of the United Statcs