The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-05-04
Prom An interview with the Hon. Horatio sey'
mOur In the Herald.

mOurI Ill lne hVIhlu'
"I recently said that the Republican
party had lost the confidence of thecoun-
try, and that the Democratic party had
not gained it, and that was not random
phrase, but one that seems to me to re-
fleet the general relation of the parties TO
public opinion"
"But the sanguine Democrats view
their side of the case more hopefully" l
said.
"My view of the hopefulness of the
case for the Democracy is as bright as
theirs" he answered, "but perhaps for
different reason. 1t seems to me that the
leaders of both parties misunderstood the
state of the public mind in some respects
"In what respects in PARTICULAR
an respectto the relation of the parties
to corruption. The Democrats feel that
they can overthrow their opponents on
account of the developments at Wash
ington. The Republicans think they can
hold power if they throw overheard de-
tected wrongdoers. The latter propo.
sitlon is not true at all. The former is
not true in that shape"
at is in the direction of the truth, but
does not grasp it, then ="
"The common error is in the assump-
ton, which seems to be at the bottom of
so much that is said about the condition
of the public service, that all this fraud
and corruption has suddenly grown up
at the capital, and is now fully exposed
and brought TO the knowledge of the
people fOl the first time. These corrup-
lions date from the close of the war;
Frauds and violations of law have been
open for years. Though known, they
were not noted, for the people were in
different to them. People were so filed
with the passion engendered by the war,
80 absorbed in their purpose to save the
Union, that regard for honesty, love OF
Justice, respect for law were like lesser
passions overwhelmed by the greater
It is always so, for a people wrought to
great fever bya great occasion regard all
lesser topics as unworthy attention, and
rogues seize the opportunity. Then came
the time of excitement, speculative greed
for wealth, love for extravaganza and
vulgar display.
CAUSES OF DEMoRALIzATIoN.
Luxury, immortality, dishonest plans,
an aversion to honest labor and simple
economy grew up everywhere in the
country. They demoraized, more or
less ali classes, all of which is shown by
the constant disclosures of bankruptcy
and defalcations all over the land. Our
governments, municipal, State and gen.
eral are strictly representative, and in
their maadministration they have refec-
ted errors and demoralizations that be-
gun with the people.
"These corruptions are common and
popular, and are not the vice of party
especially, but the party that was inp pow
er reflected them. The people corrupted
the officials, who thereupon robbed and
wronged the public. Had it been other
wiso change Of parties would have fur
nished relief, but the action Of all parties
has been the same in this respect. Dem.
ocrats and Republicans have tloated with
the tide and been tainted with the cor
up'ion of the times.
Look at the social condition of Wash
ington. | believe that if any member of
the Cabinet in the past ten years had liv-
ed within his salary he would have lost
caste and consideration. There has been
a rage for coarse and vulgar display, ut
terly at variance with the simplicity, the
self-respect, and the dignity which once
marked official life at the national capi-
tai. Mr.. Belknap did not make corrup-
ton, corruption made him what he is
1t laid hold of him with thousand hards
the moment he came within the circle of
official patronage. He did not make it
,,,o.n tho, tba u,aot ar1pnk mo l.
the wind that moves it."
OUR MORAL SENSE AWAKENED.
"But how does this view of the origin
of the corruption change the relation to
them Of the party not in power?
"People are not satisfied that the party
out of power is really any better in its
nature than the other. 1t must, there
fore, deserve their confidence before it
obtains it. 1t has an opportunity before
it, while the par y that has been proven
corrupt must yield its position. The up
rising against corruption is not because
the Republicans are worse than before,
or because their crimes are now first
known, but because the country is better
than it was because it has recovered It's
moral sense, and in this frame Of mind
it gives its confidence reluctantly. There
have been worse cases of misconduct by
our Ministers abroad than Schenck's case
worse conspiraCies against personal safe
ty and honor than the safe burglary case,
and bolder extortions than are charged
against Belknap, but the stories Of them
fell on Indifferent ears, all were stupefed
by the moral malaria.
1.-THE developments, therefore, which
startle the country only do so because
virtue and patriotism have been awaken
ed, because the people have had such
other developments as moral perception
and regard for public honor and the name
of the country. In this changed phase Of
the public mind all will be called upon
to do their duty. Tne public men OF
wealth, or those representing large inter
ests will no longer be tolerated in their
policy of neutrality between right and
wrong policies, and there will be a just
contempt for those business men who are
80 wanting in self-respect that they deem
it shrewd to say they take no interest in
politics.
punishment is bringing our people to
their senses again. They are opening
their eyes to abuses which, though pat
ent for years, they did not note. am
firm in the faith that the beginning of
the second century of our national exist
ence is to be the beginning of better
state of public and private morals, when
learning and ability will be more honor.
ed than wealth. 0ur Legislatures. State
and National, will represent higher
scale of merit and patriotism. Our gov
ernments will be all right when the peo-
pie are virtuous, patriotic and intelligent"
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONSIBLE.
"From this point o. view, then, one of
the great advantages of the Democracy is
that they were not in power in the ma
tional administration during the years of
the prevalence ofthis moral malaria ?"
'It would be great deal to say that
my party, if in power, would not have
baan oorruntad in tho times wa have