The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-02-27
Reasons for n Strong Govern.
Ial0nf. ---a-

"a stro.g Government is wanted NOwOn-
der. As long as the Government OF the United
States is too weak to protect its citizens, either
| against foreign injustice or against domestic
| violence, it is not strange that this demand is
heard. But the Democratic party thinks it the
| objectionable sin to desire strong Government.
This, again, isl strange. The last great ven
! ture of the Democratic party was undertaken in
| the full belief that Il weak and half-trait0rOus
Government under Mr. Buchanan would not at
| tempt to suppress rebellion. 1t was painfui
surprise, to rebellious Democrats, when the Gov
eminent Of the kindly and genial and patient
Lincoln proved to be one of the strongest the
world had ever seen. No doubt, another Gov
eminent like that of Buchanan, the last Demo-
coatsc President, would give great pleasure to
the Democrats. But the Republicans want some
thing else, and have the pluck to say so. 1t does
not particularly alarm them, either, if their ut
terances are construed US proof of q leaning to-
ward imperialism. They have full conscious
ness Of the patriotism OF their purposes. They
neither want nor would tolerate u Caesar. 1t does
not enter their thoughts that Casarism is posi-
ble in this country. There was time when the
possible attempt to perpetuate power by use Of
Official patronage seemed to them dangerous to
the country, not because there was . chance of
its success, but because grave consequences
might he involved IN that resistless uprising of
the people which the apparent success Of such an
ATTEMPT might cause. But the day has gone by,
AMI the occasion. Imperialism is dreaded by
cnii,lrcn. rs ghosts, visions III the night and bad
dreams are dreaded. The country sleeps IN
peace, and knows iuil wei. that ats liberties are
mol gon:; To be stolen from it by any Individual
or clique Indeed, the country does not even
fear tile advent Of despotism under the guise Of
Democrac, -and Of that sensible men know that
there is some real danger.
\ stron. Government is wanted, first Of all,
to nut down Democratic revOlutiOnists, to make
il certain that an attempt tO ,Override the Con-
stitution and to ,eieat the will Of the people, like
that ofGraceiOn and his associates in Maine, will
not Ike permitted to succeed nor to pass without
adequate punishment. There Is . general feel
ing that REORGANIZATION has gone far enough. 1t
is the conviction of conservative men that the
Democratic party is ready to resort to any steps,
however desperate and wicked, in order to Sc
cure control Of tho Government The demand is
for q Government resOlute enough and strong
enough to stamp out recipient revolution in every
form, without hesitation and without mercy.
There Is needed, men say, singing reminder
that treason is crime; and such an example ofthe
swift and relentless punishment OF revol utionary
attempts rs may for century to come deter men
from making them. II the Democratic party
should 20 . hairs breadth beyond its lawful
right, in disputing the will Of the people consti-
tutionally expressed, it would probably nnd that
we have strong Government already. It may
nominate aud to elect . President who will have
no hesitation in dealing with attempts hereafter.
A strong Government IL wanted to give pro-
lection ag.inst domestic violeDoe in every partof
this country to every citizen. II has become 81
sreat scandal that citizens and even oflcials Of
the Government are liable to be assassfnated, in