Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-03-28
Southern Claims Look Well to
Congress.
from the Madison Journal.l

The recent exposure Of the southern
scheme to push claims through con-
gress. and thereby fitch immense sums
of money from the public treasury, has
produced considerable commotion in
some of the old rebel states. The
people there begin to fear that the
country will take alarm and nip the
whole thing in the bud, by keeping
democrats in the rear. This is the
only true way 20 protect the country,
and the work should be done in the
North as we'll as in the South. 1t has
been shown what democrats would do
in regard to these Southern claims, if
that party had full power in the gov
ernment. The Senate and the White
House, have thus far proved obstacles
in the way of raids upon the treasury.
The democratic House has been ready
at any time to make them; and the
democrats of the North are as ready
as are those of the South; hence it is
just as necessary to defeat the election
of northern as of southern democrats.
ucces> in securing these southern
claims, is assured, the moment the
democracy succeeds to full power in
the national government. A new
congress is to be elected this year, and
a president two years hence. Changes
will take place in the senate. The
southern democrats, who are loaded
down with these claims, have been
| told by their northern allies that VIC
tory is certain next time. Upon that
victory the south counts confidently
for claims and for large grants in its
its interest. To be forwarned is to be
! forearmed. Hence the south " nm
Deen made against its cherished pur-
poses For these demonstrations do
not tend to lull tine north into mac
tivity, while the democracy captures
The government. The democratic
press of the south, therefore, is trying
to quiet the apprehensions of the
North on this question, But can any
dependence be placed upon any such
assurance from the south in the face
OF what is going en- behind the scenes
In the coming elections, Wisconsin
will take part and the republicans
cannot be too active in the preparation
for the great work. We should re-
claim, at least one of the districts now
represented by democrat, and should
retain the five now represented by re-
puhlicans This can be done by active
work and tho placing in nomination,
of able and popular candidates. The
selection of these candidates will de-
volve upon the people; and it becomes
them to consider well the subject 1t
is not every man who thinks himself
ut for congress, and who desires the
position, that really deserves to be
elected. The people are the best
judges, at to who is qualified to repre-
sent them in any legislative capacity,
and they should take active part in
the selectio. of candidates. And this
duty should not he put off till the last
moment. Our object at this time is
not to suggest Candidates, but simply
to call attention to the Importance Of
selecting good and true men; and of
the dire necessity of securing the cleo
ton of republicans to congress Re
publicanism is as important now, as at
any time during the war. The safety
of the country depends as much upon
the success of that party now, as it did
in 1860. 1862 and 1864. Let this be
remembered by the republicans of Wis
consin.