The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-07-09

cOnu unutI tlC uDubc VI tuh
freedom which we enjoy. Its founders
and leaders are said to be men who
we're tried in the ranks OF the old po.
litical organizations. There is prin.
ciple OF human nature which causes
restless, jealous, ambitious little minds
TO be always forming cabals. IL is pos
sessed by those busy and turbulent
spirits who are only nurtured under a
free government and whose desires are
the accomplishment OF selfish purposes.
That these discontented adventurers
with their specious theories are madly
seeking recognition and power through
the success OF this new political party,
is perhaps an undoubted fact. It..is as
undoubtedly questionable whether
they shall gain an influence in that or
ganization. Should they accomplish
their designs and their leaders remain
as they are, it's existence will be as
ephemeral as its growth has been rap
id. The intelligence and practical wis
dom OF the American people cannot
long be blinded by rhetorical hourishes
and vapid denunciations. Do not, my
friends, misconstrue me. In denounc-
ing some OF the would-be leaders Of
that party and certain OF their princi.
Piles. / would not speak one word in
OF the great mass Of its
members, or the ideas they are honest
ly espousing. / would not speak dis
respectfully Of any one OF those lead
ers who are honestly endeavoring TO
advance the material prosperity OF the
people, or who are the champions OF
human rights. l only condemn the
false charlatans OF all parties who un-
der the guise OF speciously honorable
principles would SOW the seeds OF an
archy and destruction. The great
mass OF the people in every political
party are honest. The power OF the
party manipulators controlling those
organizations through liking Caucus,
is the great evil / would denounce and
not the great toiy Of honest patriotic
citizens who blindly follow partisan
dictation. The danger / foresee lies in
the fact that il is possible under our
present system OF government, such
parties, welding such unlimited pow
er, can be organized and kept in exist
ence. Can the danger of this party
tyranny and partisan animosity be
averted, is a question which should be
studied apd honestly answer
ed by every American citizen.
/ think the whole solution of the
problem rests in a RESPONSIBLE GOVERN
MEST; with legislature that may be
dissolved at any moment instead of be-
ing elected for a certain length of time.
Responsible government is a system
the Administration or Cabinet
il responsible to the legislature, and
to make this responsibility just
the legislature have the means OF re-
moving the administration at any mo-
ment TO conform to the vote of the ma
tion constitutiopally expressed 1t
implies an Executive sufficiently per-
manent to act in great part minister
ally, TO appoint Cabinets, TO dissolve
legislatures and to call popular elec
tions. A system under which should
the President and legislature come in
conflict, an appeal may be taken TO the
people TO say which is right and which
is wrong. A system wherein the con-
stitutional voice Of the people controls
the action OF the legislature and the
Cabinet, that all departments OF the
government shall pay homage 10 the
latest expression of the peoples will.
A system under which the people are
appealed 10 only to decide some living
issue on which the legislature has not
yet acted. A system under which polit-
zeal parties divide and vote, not with
reference TO something already irrepar-
bly, done, and not because the act was
accomplished by the party in power
and pet scheme OF party leaders, but
whether the measure proposed shall
have legal existence or not. A sys-
tenn under which no great issue could
be decided or acted upon without an
appeal to the people. 1t would divide
parties only on living issues, thus con-
stantly burying past preiudices.
Under our present system the Presi.
dent has power 10 absolutely ignore the
will OF the people. In 1857 the House
Of Representatives became Republican
but the President could neither be
changed nor the course of his Cabinet
stayed until 1860. Hence for two years
we exhibited the humiliating spectacle
OF the Cabinet officers Of the Govern
ment conspiring for its overthrow, dis
tribuiing the army through the south
and discharging those loyal among
them, scattering our navy all over the
world, and sending arms and muni-
tions of war where they became an easy
prey TO rebels. Had we then a respon-
sible Government, Buchanan would
have been compelled TO appoint a Re
publican Cabinet and our civil war
would never have occurred or il would
been crushed at its commencement.
An election now conveys no instruc-
ton TO the administration, or il il does,
il serves only as n warning to prepare
some scheme by which the will OF the
people may be thwarted. We hold
elections now because the time has
come for them, not because there is
anything to vote. Our votes relate 10
the past, only; and not 10 the future.
Our party dictators demand our votes
upon past records, or past hatreds and
not future policies and good will TO all.
The politician demands Office by reason
OF what he did in years gone by, and
not because OF what he proposes to do
in the years TO come. We rally at the
polls 10 resurrect the prejudices OF 9TH
er days, and not TO give form and life
TO our hopes for tomorrow. Put up an
Orangeman in a Catholic district and
the votes are cast on the invasion OF
Ireland by Cromwell 200 years ago.
Native citizens do not vote so far back
in the past as that, for the only reason
that our history is limited. After Jack
son crushed the national bank the peo-
pie voted upon it's propriety. After
Polk made war upon Mexico, the peo-
pie voted whether he ought to have
done so. After Texas was annexed the
people voted on that. The people con-
tinued voting too late on the compro-
mise measures until war ensue. Pol
iticians now would demand your votes
by reason of the principles they es-
years ago, instead Of the great living
issues which throb in the minds OF the
American people. Does the pending
question before Congress relate 10 the
currency; then vote for Jones because
he was sound on the negro and the
war. Ia il question Of internal rev.
enue; then vote for Smith, becaust
some ofice-holders under Grant were
thieves. Is labor problem TO be soly
ed, then vote against both Jones anc
Smith because bonds were voted ffteer
years ago 10 crush the rebellion. Fol
fifteen years Congress has had nj
financial policy, solely from this inner
ent defect in orr system. A bill on'
member OF party introduces is assaileC
from jealousy or party fear lest th'
proponent should get credit for relieve
ing the country. Under a responsible
Government, . financial policy woul'