The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-09-17
Why Should a Change be Made.


In his letter of acceptance, English,
the Democratic candidate for vice-presi-
dent, urged, rs one of the principal rea-
SONS why the Democratic nominees
should be chosen, that the Republi-
can party had been in power long
enough, and that change is
necessary; and this is about the
substance of all the Democratic
editorials and addresses. But why q
change in political administration is
necessary neither English nor any one of
his party has shown. tits true that they
claim that the Republican party has
become corrupt, but do they produce any
undisputed cases of corrupt administration
to sustain their assertion None of any
magnitude, and that are not inevitable
under oil forms of government admin
istration. TGey say that more economy
e needed i'll the administration of the
nations affairs, but do they show where
in the administration of the Republican
party has been cxtrsvagant or wasteful?
DO they bring forward statistics to sus-
tain their assertion Do they show how
or in what respect Democratic admin
istration would he more economical
where they would cut down expenses to
any appreciabledegree? Notatall. They
claim, it is true, that the Democratic
party in congress has cut down appro-
priations, and thus saved millions to
the treasury. But this claim has been
shown to be false by statistics taken
from the treasury books, a summary of
winch was given in these columns few
days ago. BY these figures it was
shown that the aggregate appropriations
for the sessions since the Democrats
obtained control of both houses
was greater than for the last two
years of Republican ascendency; while
the appropriations ut the last session for
river and harbor improvements amount
ell to much more than at any other SEES
sion in the history of the government.
DO they claim that there should be a
radical change of policy on any great
national question, as, for instance, re-
garding tariff, internal taxes, the currency
or the finances? Hardly, although there
is occasionally vague talk on some of
these subjects. In years past they said
that the Republican policy Of preparing
country and should be stopped; that it
COutt uOb Dc TculiAtl, tilu OuSy ClitcdN-
ored to have it abolished, but, fortu-
nately for the country, without success.
Now they accept the success of the Repub-
lican policy, and say they are in favor of its
continuance. What is this but an admins
sion that they were wrong and the Re-
publicans right? Why then should the
party that was right give way to the one
that was wrong? But, say they, eve
are in favor of policy of reconstruction
and harmony between the lately hostile
sections,-our is the national party, and
the Republican is the sectional party"
What is that policy of reconciliation? Does
anybody know what it is? Is it to give
the South all its wants ut the hands of
the national government while that gov
eminent il denied the peaceful execution
of its laws for the protection of citizens
in their constitutional rights and the
collection of its revenue? In what re-
spect has the Republican party in its
administration for the past four or five
years denied to the South anything which
has been accorded the North ? How
does it come that the Democratic party
is the national party when it is conf
IDENTIFY announced beforehand, by the
leaders of that party, that every southern
state will give it's electoral vote to the
Democratic candidates, when it is known
that this can only be done by gross
frauds upon the ballot box?
Do the Democrats promise or does
any one anticipate that change in the
politics of the national administration
would enhance the present material pros
perits of the country? II there be any
such promise or expectation there il no
reasonable ground for it, for certainly
under no Democratic administration IN
years gone by was there any parallel to
the prosperity which began last year
soon after the browning success OF the
Republican financial policy.
While there is no definite promise OF
or reason to expect better state OF
things as consequence " Democratic
ascendency, there is much ground for
fearing disastrous results therefrom.
The coming into control of every branch
of the national government by party
that for years has been dallying with the
widest notions OH currency and finance
could not fail to unsettle confidence in
business circles throughout the country,
for there is no predicting what its policy
would he, while the record of its leaders
in congress, for four or five years past,
affords ample cause for the gravest APP
prehensions.
Furthermore, why should the govern
ment be now committed to party the
controlling element of which was, only
few years since, fighting for its over
throw? Can northern men who fought
for the maintenance of this government
for a moment believe that it is safe to
commit its control to men who in prac-
tice deny the right of free speech to all
who differ with them, where they are in
control, and who are guilty OF frauds
upon the ballot box and the census, the
basis of representation? What possible
nronnd Ia there for aunnOsinQ that the