The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-09-26
The alacrity with which the republican

-
cratic nominee, and so distort it as to en-
nance the chances OF the opposing can
didate, is astonishing. The bloody shirt
having failed as an issue on which 10
conduct campaigns, they seize upon
every little expression of dissatisfaction,
and so magnify it as TO give 1t the APP
pearance of formidable opposition. Not
one of those papers with the exception
of the Milwaukee Sentinel perhaps, ever
manifested independence enough to defy
the dictates of its party leaders. They
invariably fall into line and never hesitate
to chant the praise Of men whose pro-
fciency in political trickery give them
prominence and entitle them to the dis
tinction of party leadears. Any expires
sion OF ccmmendation from such seryile
sheets is simply JOY at the detection IN
the ranks of the enemy. 10 them what
is independence in a democratic paper
would be denounced as perfidy IN re-
publican sheet. Knowing the selfish
ness which prompts the approval OF such
papers, the PILOT feels more Ike resent
ing it as a reflection on its loyalty to
those principles of democracy which it
has always advocated, than in accepting
it as a compliment for its independence.
The EUeRiRg Wisconsin has been mod
crate only because it bas been lacking IN
vigor. and not because it did not stand
ready to accept the most outrageous doc
trine viii III its party leaders choose to
make a part of the republican policy.
The Madison State Journal has so long
offered abject homage at the shrine OF
the republican party, that servility has
become to it a second nature. Those
two papers have worn the collar of party
so long that they now act mechanically
like trained animals in circus ring.
Independence in politics is something of
which they are incapable. The Milwau-
kee Sentinel, the only republican paper
in the state whose course entities 1t to
speak consistently Of independence, new
er yet displayed independence when to
do SO would prove injurious to a repub-
lican nominee. 1t is anxious to see Gen.
! Bragg defeated. Among its own can
didates for congress are men with not
one 1.-THE of the patriotism, statesman
ship or political pnrity of Gen. Bragg,
against whom the Sentinel says not a
word which could be construed as oppo-
sition. Is this consistency Is it course
in consonance with that elevated tone
with which the Sentinel prescribes the
| duty of the PILOT III the coming cam
paign? The Sentinel has braved the
hostility Of partisan republican Journals
and has dared to criticise republican
measures, but like all other republican
newspapers it seems to be bound by the
action of conventions.
The structures of the Fond du Lac
Reporter ON what it terms the inconsis-
tency of the PILOT IN supporting Gen.
Bragg while denouncing the platform,
merits some attention. If as we believed,
Gen. Bragg aCas responsible for what
was Objectionable in the platform, it
would still be the duty Of the PILOT or
of any other paper to labor faithfully for
his election in the interest of purer
administration of affairs than has marked
the history of the republican party since
! the close of the war. The Re porter ev-
| identity is more concerned for the nation
al purse than for the national honor.
1 There may be honest differences of opin-
ion regarding the ACCESSIBILITY Of resum-
ing specie payments on the first day of
I January next. But there can be but
one opinion entertained Of the danger of
continuing the republican partyin power.
| The condition of the country, the re-
spect due to the expressed will of the
majority of the people. and that honesty
which is essential to the perpetuity of a
republic are all subordinated to the rul-
ing passion to continue in power. For
this purpose, corruption has been en-
couraged. the constitution has been
violated and precedents having the
sanction Of generations, have been totally
disregarded. Is the usurpation Of ST
preme power by party a danger which
it is wise to ignore? Is it a ''sham sab.
terfuge" to call attention to that danger
and to keep fresh in the minds of the
public the deed of infamy committed by
the Republican parity "Mr. Hayes is
legally, morally and justly entitled to the
Office, AYERS the Reporter. Bat two
classes of men make this assertion SER
iously: Those whose stupidity is SO
dense that it is impossible for them to
perceive facts, and those who wilfully
assert what they know to be untrue. It
is useless to discuss the matter with
either.