The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-03-22

Our National Troubles and Their Cure.
The outcome of the tHigh Joint
makes it certain that to stake much
upon the promises or purity OF the
Republican party is so sfearfully un-
wise, that it becomes the duty of every
wisher for reform TO declare such esti-
mates grievous delusion. A glance
at the last eight years past of signal
departures from promised honesty
and reforms, paFd0ned criminaIs, &c,
&c, puts upon us the ungracious task
of saying that the mind honestly af-
fected with such anticipations is un-
worthy of peculiar Difference or re-
spect. An elevation TO law-makipg
now seems TO give some men immu-
nifty from error aud even from the
grossest crimes. Whatever else
might be said of Herod the Great he
can not be charged with lust or intem-
perence. The political ideas OF some
rough-hewn eccIesiasticsl reactionits
might be broadened and benefited by
initiating IIerod even. We have been
e iucafed to esteem the United States
'ifIe glory OF all lands" but unless
there shall lac radical reforms in its
political management the glory must
depart, and the desOiafion OF a dwarfed
and dismal future take the place of
that grandeur aud prosperity once SO
fOndly expected and so easy of reali-
za,ion had there been wisdom, moder-
aiion- honesty aud patriotism at the
helm of tle ship OF state. Our troub-
les have not come upon US suddenly,
nor will they suddenly vanish. The
root of our difficulties lies too deem for
any cure that does not go TO the very
foundation of things. Disregard OF
law, and unbounded party aud person.
al aggrandizement aud greed, operat-
Jag through long years, have left the
ship of state tuggiag up stream agains,
a strong current, with many obstruc
tions in the channel. The clouds are
p1rfeniious, and il will need u cool
head AMI strong sinews to pilot her
safely through. Are the bIundering
men who ran into these disas,erous
channels competent 10 extricate us out
OF the difficulties? Have they sufii
cient patriotism to look beyond their
selfish appetencies and originate or
put in force any regenerating meas
ures? Their past history furnises no
evidence to encourage such a belief
They have made great promises of re
form under Hayes, But experience
teaches US there will be no reforms
not c3nsonant with their party and
personal interests. To expect it is an
idea calculated to impose only upon
the very crcduIous. The election of
the right man for solving, and coping
with the complex difficulties into
which selfish incompetency has invol.
we'd the nation, has been defeated by
s to Z. Dreading the prospect, how
ever distant, OF civil commoIion and
internal warfare, our leaders entered
into compromise, the outcome OF
which q retrospective glance might
have made clearly discernable. They
will now have the task of watching
and warding OIL the dangers of the
new situatioa. There is manifest
necessity for occupying their talents in
concoctiDg the most advisable meas
ures that shall be decisive in deciding
fairly who shall be our chief magis-
trate. Games of chance are not gener.
ally thought 10 exercise an elevating
influence on the morals of men. To
reduce our election TO that is signifi
cant. In the mean time let the press
emphasize the fact that effort is de-
to educate the masses of men
out OF their ideas of irresponsibillty
for national misgovernment. Educate
The people up 10 he true idea of
thought, duty aud responsibility and
the work is begun that will soon lead
US to tle hiil-op of succe", Ieform,
aud pro sperity. ~