The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-31
THE GERM OF THE DISEASE.

Before permanent improvement car
be effected In a long diseased body, the
seeds and germs of the disease must be
entirely eradicated. This Is the initia
stage In the cure that must be completed
by an interchange and reversal Of the
habits, diet and other sanitary precau
| tions of a wise pharmacy.
Have we pursued this rational course
in our treatment Of the great political
and social evils which affect this coun.
try? Have we ever aimed at, or made
any earnest endeavors to apply it to the
virulent and malignant malady whose
ravages have been SO painfully palpa-
BILE? Have we not rather satisfied our
selves with mere emollients and
changes Of diet and nursing, seeking to
delay and avert for the time its pro-
gress, rather than to grapple with the
deep-seated radia Of the disease.
Dropping the metaphor and coming
down to the stern facts, we ask IL the
auses OF the vast and pervadiDg cor
ruption, venality, oppression and other
vicious consequences Of bad govern
ment, bad laws and the administration
thereof in the interest Of corrupt, selfish,
and avaricious men have been effect
lively assaulted, or the work of purga-
ton consistently and energetically en-
t cred upon. We hear great deal Of
ia Tx about reform, elevating the stand
ard of official integrity and efficiency
and the necessity of the vigorous en-
fore ement Of the laws.
That is all very well and wise. But is
there not something beyond and be-
hind this which must be embraced in
the work Of any great reform move
ment? Is there not a duty Of expurga-
ton, OF Graduating from our political
system the main sources Of the terrible
flood Of corruption that has spread
through our whole country and sub
merged SO large portion Of our peo-
pie?
And what is this fons ct ongo mali
this spring Of "woes unnumbered'-
which has brought this once happy
country to its present condition of dis
quietude, CONFUSION and mortal agony.
1t has been the abandonment Of the
democratic principle and the substitu-
ton of the aristocratic in the administra-
ton and legislation of the country.
Ever since the Republican party was
installed in power, its aim, policy and
strategy have been to build up classes,
rings and monopolies, and to endow
them with gifts, privileges, and special
advantages which have resulted in Great
ing an aristocracy Of railroad magnates,
contractors, Office jobbers, syndicates
and manipulators of the public credit,
for whose protection all the laws have
been enacted, the franchises and prop
erty Of the government squandered, and
enormous subsidies recklessly dissi-
pated. .........
To lull the people into false sense Of
security and withdraw their vigilance
and scrutiny from the schemes and acts
Of their officials and representatives,
their sectional passions have been in
voked and kept in constant play by pre-
texts Of subduing the rebellion and re-
constructing the insurgent States on
the principles Of the Republican party.
And whilst thus absorbed in "recon,
the South" these conspirators
against Democracy were really engaged
in laying the foundation for plot OF
general destruction Of all the securities
and guarantees for Democratic free
dom, constitutional equality and honest
To keep the South in the Union on
III cir own terms and secure the success
and permanent hold Of the Republican
party on the government, they consti-
;uted and organized the electoral sys-
;em of monopolies and privileged
classes, whose vile, corrupt and impov-
srishing domination has brought upon
t their present troubles and evils. Not
n the National Government alone, but
n those Of the States and Of the mu-
has this anti.dem ocratic
principle and system prevailed and
controlled the whole political and legis-
ative policy Of the dominant party.
The people have been enslaved by mo-
lopolies to special and favored classes,
Who have been backed by it's power,
md who have commanded its admins
rators as mere janissaries and merce-
laries to defend their privileges and
mite in their ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
1t is this, the Introduction Of this false
md foreign idea into political admin
stration, which has subverted and
changed our National Government,
which was intended to be the govern
nent Of our people, by the people and
or the people. And only when the con-
shall be either amended or
indicated in its Interpretation so as
orever to inhibit and prevent all ad-
ninistration or legislation under it
which recognizes or grants any exclu-
i've rights or privileges, any monopo-
;ac ar special fayors To classes individ