Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-06-30
THE SCAPEGOAT TICKET.

In the desperation of their fortunes, the
democrats have at last done that which
they have for over twelve wears con-
tinuously deprecated. Abandoning their
policy during the preceding presidential
campaign they have selected a military
man as their standard bearer. For over
twelve years the files of the democratic
papers, record their protests against mill
tary men in civil life. 1t has been an in
creasing theme of democratic criticism
that the republicans have nominated dis
tinguished military men for the presi-
dency. The howl against General Grant
because he was soldier, and therefore
untitled for civil administration has
been loud and uninterrupted. But at last,
in this as many other things, the demo-
cratic party ha $ reluctantly dragged itself
forward and following the example ofthe
republicans, has nominated military
man for president. General Hancock, a
brave union soldier, is the man who has
been selected as the scape goat for the
sins of that party On his brilliant record
as soldier the democratic party hopes
to ride into power once more. That is
the only motive in his nomination. Even
democrats do not pretend to disguise that
fact. Were is possible to elect any one
of the regular old bourbon leaders Gen
eral Hancock would hardly be thought
Of
And yet his nomination implies, in
the event of his election, this nomination
of the bourbon element of the party. He
will be but the ornamental SHIELD behind
which the old patty of treason and fossil
ism will screen itself from the too search
ing,,gaze of the world The masses are to be
dazzled with the glory of the soldier
while the cunning leaders secretly but
surely possess themselves of the functions
of government and proceed to subvert
those principles engrafted into organiza-
ton by the republican party, and elimin-
ate those progressive ideas with which the
national government is now conducted.
From the very necessity of his surround
ings, General Hancock, if elected, must
form his cabinet from that kind of timber
which the party at heart desired to use for
the presidency, but which from pruden-
tial reasons it was compelled to withhold
from public view. Hancock as the
frontispiece is bid for votes; as president
he would be but an automatoin to carry
out the purposes of the same old demo-
cratic party that was hurled from power
in 1860 and has ever since been kept out
of power because the people fear to trust
it again. The republic has had::a dear ex-
perience with democratic misrule, and
even General Hancocks patriotic record
cannot cOverup or tone for the crimes of
the party that now makes him its nomin-
al leader.
While General Hancock was I'M
doubtedly brave soldier and patriot,
that fact alone will not entitle him to
the presidency of the United States.
Thousands and hundreds of thousands of
other soldiers were patriotic and brave
but they were never elected to the presi-
dency, and under will be. Gen. Corse of
Iowa was as brave and patriotic as Gen.
Hancock but that was not made reason
for nominating him for president. Gen.
Garfield was as brave and patriotic as Gen.
Hancock but his bravery and patriotism,
while excellent traits of character, were
not relied upon in his selection as the
republican leader. Garfield is ga strong
man intellectually, in charaeter,i in execu-
tive ability, and in broad experience in
civil life. In these characteristics Gen.
is not Gen. Garfeld's peer.
The most that can be said of the demo-
cratic nomination is that it is a reputable
one. But it is not strong one. 1t will
not command that esteem and confidence
which leader like Bayard or Thurman
would have commanded. The people
will admire the military career of,General
as they did General Winfield
Scott, after whom he is named, but like
General Scott they will refuse to intrust
him with the administration of the affairs
Of government.
In the nomination of William II. Eng
ish, of Indiana, the bourbon heart is best
portrayed. He is a bourbon among the
bourbons and as presiding officer of the
senate would not fail to meet all the re-
luirements of his party, and in the event
Of the death of General Hancock would
make another Willard Fillmore to cater to
the demands of the solid south and resist
the growth of those liberal ideas of gov
and popular progress initiated
under republican rule.
The ticket is strong only in the sense
Of being personally reputable. 1t is weak
in intellectual strength, in civil exper-
fence and in those elements which COM
mand the confidence and respect of the
people, 1t is a ticket whose election is
opeless.-Burzington Hawkeye.