Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-24
USES AND ABUSES OF PARTY.

USES AND ABUSES OF PARTY.
Under a government OF the people
political parties r essential to a healthy
growth of public sentiment. Any one
party left long in undisputed power be
comes selfish and unmindful Of the
rights aud interests of the people If ii
does not use questionable means and
harbor corrupt mep. As a notable ex
ample of the c~orrupting influences Of
mower we have fresh in the minds Of the
American people the Republican party
It was founded upon an idea which ap-
pealed to the sympathies of all Northern
people and a great part Of Europe The
original Abolitionists honestly but fanat-
ically believed that African slavery was
the curse of the land. Old John Browns
raid was merely an expression OF a
growing sentiment in the North that
slavery must be abolished By force,
which he undertook to put into execu-
ton. A million of men took the field
less than four years afterward to accom-
plish the same thing. The Republican
party resped all the political advantages
Of the war, and at onee entered upon a
career Of p~rohigaey, e~xtrsvaganes and
corruption which is without prece-
dent in the history of the country.
Under its victorious banners were mar
shaled all the desperate adventures
r~sscals and shoddyites developed by the
war. The bad example set in high places
had the most pernicious effect all over
the land. The Judiciary was converted
into a political engine; Legislatures were
bought and sold in the interest Of gigsn-
tic sWindles like eattlss at so much q
head; State, county and municipal gov
ernments were corrupted, and the stand
ard Of public morals was well nigh de
stroyed. The lust for gain and power
outgrew the judgment and the con
sciences Of men. The principles, thu
sincerity of purpose and the sterling in
teErity which characterized the Wendell
Phillipses, the Garrisons and the Horac'
Greeleys of twenty-five years ago wsr'
cast behind in q struggle for Office, foi
money and vulgar display. 1t was no
until financial distress overlook th'
masses, and labor began to 90 unpaid
and want to stare millions in the face
that mad misrule was rebuked. IhI
thinking men of the party were com
PEELED to admit th.t the suffering of tn
people and the generalization Of tn
times resulted from gross abuses Q
power. Their first feeble attempts ct rt
form within the party we're met With de
rision and seorn. The protests Of To
small, but compact and well organizes
Democratic party, were needed onl
70 be answered with ;austs and de6ancl
At length. as the country went from ba
to worse, the people became aroused
the danger and patriotic service W.
stimulated by necessity. The nepotisI
and debsuchery Of the sdmiuistrstio
had a reboke in 1874, but it was not So
fcient. 1t remained for the people
the Centennial year TO declare BY a larl
majority in favor Of the restoration
honest, constitutional government. III
nominee of the Democratic party, {
though deprived Of bis seat by the acli'
Of eight partisans who sat on Il
commission, was elected by the popul
and the electoral vote. We have spoki
thus far mostly Of the abuses Of part
now we come TO It's uses, even when 10
minority. The Democratic party has n
been in power for seventeen yeal
Much of that time it was 10 a hopele
minority, but was ever consistent q
true TO principle. 1t has been t
meaRs Of redeeming the country. 7
President is personally and nominslly
Republican, but he has been compel
by public sentiment and the frmn'
aud conservatism OF the Democra
party to adopt and enforce Democra
policy, which can be expressed in t
Words-honest and constitutional. Coz
log and sther partisans may oppc
aud annoy bin, but we are satisfied
will pursue the course be has chos
until the Democratic party comes il
power, after the next general Eclectic
Without organization the Democr
could have accomplished nothing, a
eanuot in the future. The party !
been held together these seventeen yeI
by q living principle. IL errors hi
been committed or mistakes made il
better to correct them in the party T.