Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-01-21
THE PERIL Or THE REPUBLIC.

The Republic of ancient Greece and
Rome were overthrown by men who
sought strong, personal Governments.
Republican France has thus been serv-
cd by the Napoleons and to-day our
people are covering under the threat
of a similar fate. This is the danger
of all Republics. The greatest and best
Of men, our faithful Washington, in
laying down his civil as he did the mil
itary power, addressed his country
men, warning them against the perils
of the Republic, in this prophetic Ian.
guage;
"The alternate domination OF one
faction over another, sharpened by the
spirit Of revenge natural to party dis.
sensions, which in different ages and
countries has perpetrated the most
horrid enormites, is itself frightiul
despotism. But this leads at length to
a more formal and permanent despot-
ism. The disorders and miSeries which
result, gradually incline the minds of men
TO seek security and repose in the absolute
po,oer Of an indiUidudl; and sooner or
later the chief Of some prevailing faction,
more able or more fortunate than his CON-
petitors, TURNS THIS DISPOSITION TO THE
PURPOSES OF HIS OWN ELEVATION ON
THE RUINS OF PUBLIC LIBERTY !"
1t remains for this day and genera
ton Of the Republic to be called on to
determine whether they will thus sub.
NIT to the danger pointed out, and
which is now impending in the near
approach of the Presidential election.
The fraud which was perpetrated in
placing Hayes in tho Presidential
chair and the dangers which threat.
ened the peace of the country in con.
sequence Of these iniquitous proceed
ings, alarmed tho capitalists, and whom
the riots followed upon the destruction
of all former values, caused by the con-
traction of the currency by the Secre.
tary OF the Treasury, John Sherman,
for the purpose of resuming specie
payments, sensitive capitalists again
trembled Tor the worst and deter
mined that the remedy lay in es.
tablishing u strong personal Govern.
ment in the person of General Grant,
who gave the strongest proof during
the war that the blood of millions could
be poured out in bis presence without
causing a shudder, so long as it was
not tinged with that of his own kith
or kin.
Having determined on the man
Grant, he was put in training by visit.
ing all the Empires, Kingdoms and
despotisms of the old world to study
their ways and become familiarized
with their modes of Government.
Having received the homage of every
country through which he passed, like
splendid meteor, be was led in his
triumphal course from the setting to
the rising sun, through every large
city throngod by millions, to be prais-
cd and honored by friend and foe, to
all Of which the conquering hero bow
cd assent. This done, he is most skill
fully withdrawn from the public gaze
and sent to the sunny shores of Cuba
and Mexico, to study the ruins of Gov
ernments whose people have been sub.
ected to the devastation and destruc-
tion of frequent instructions.
While their hero is thus preparing
himself for the next act, his lessees are
shining the scenes and preparing the
stage foi his next appearance. Then
the conventions of States will have
been held, aid under the ownership
which Cameronism has acquired to
the rights of the persons of those who
are the leaders Of the Republican par
ty by purchase and fraud, notwith.
standing the feeble protests of the few,
who are too craven to battle for their
rights, Grant will be nominated with
a tremendous hurrah for the third
time as candidate Of the Republican
party for President.
Then will commence a political con-
test such as was never before seen in
this country, the result Of which is
alone in the keeping Of the unknown
future. Should Grant then be elected
President Of the United States, or
should he be forced into the chair by
the military power OF the country, the
same causes that placed him there
during bis lifetime, and nothing but a
revolution and the most sanguinary
contest would ever restore the Repub-
lie, and then in shattered and ruined
form.
Rather than this should befall our
unhappy country, let the earthquake
shiver our mountains to their base and
every peak belch forth volcanic fires
rather let the hurricane sweep over
the whole land and destroy the cattle
Of the field with hail, while thunder
and lightning pile in ruin every tree
and habitation Of living man. Better
that the heavens be darkened, the
earth tremble night and day, and fam.
inc, pcstilence and death stalk In the
midnight darkness, than that the Re.
public become thus imperiled. In all
these calamities some would escape To
transmit the blessings of FREQ Gov
crnment to generations yet unborn
but should Grant again become Presi-
dent Of these United States, the last
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