The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-04-16
SENATOR DAVIS ON THE SITUATION.

III tllIS sttt, Oh inc pICetut NOuulllou vi poli
tics in this country, Is Us vigorous ~ 1t il
: characteristic. Doubtless the disgust OF Mr.
: DAVIS, which arises As well out of the prescn
unse,mly sQuabble over few offices in th'
United States senate rs out o, the bigger quar-
rel Of the republican leaders over the genera
spolls Distribution is heartily shared by The
independent voters Of the country of all par
ties, and who are about ready to appreciate The
Suggestion of the COurierJ0urHdl, al the close
of al eloquent appeal to Garfield and the sen
ate republicans 10 drop machine politics. "Do
rs you please says the journal referred to
but there is simple gentleman la the Senate
'!David Davisl-with one exception the only
statesman tbere-who wants nothing. Bu,
the gait you are going, HE will be the next
President of the United States"
Following Is the letter of Senator Davis
| WAsHINcrox, April 8, lSSl.-DRAR SIR: /
am much obliged tor the irlcadly expressions
in your letter.
In my judgment, the best hope for the
country Is through a reconstruction OF parties.
Our politics has become dc graded into a shame
tul scramble for the spoils of office
to represent the best intellect OF both sides,
has been engaged in an unseemly slru gle for
small places. And now, at the very start of q
new administration the republican factions
are arrayed against each other over the patron
Iage.
Great corporations and consolidated monop.
Olles are fast selling the avenues OF power that
lead to control OF the government 1t Is an
open secret that they rule states, through pro-
cured legislatures ana corrupted courts; that
they are strong in congress, and that they are
INSCRIPTIONS in the use OF means TO conquer
prejudice and to acquire influence.
This condition Of things is truly alarming,
for, unless it be changed quickly and thor
oughly, free Institutions are doomed TO be sub
stituted by an oligarchy resting upon a basis
Of money and of corporate power.
Every farmer in the west Is bound hand and
foot by the manacles of monopoly. Corpora
tons prescribe the value of his hard labor, and
his crop il absolutely at their mercy. Who
proposes, on either side, to protect the just
rights of the great agricultural community
with twenty-five millions Of population
Corporations not only levy toll on the indus
try of the farmer, but every blanket with
which their children are warmed. every plow-
share that turns the soil, and the necessary ar
tces of household economy, are taxed by an
IeXorbtant tariff for the profit OF monopoly
How can resistance be successfully made
against corporate power, vixen both the great
parties are organized and run as close corpor.
atlonsf Leading newspapers, recognized as
republican and democratic organs are owned
and directed by grasping monopoiists to sub
serve their selfish schemes and to restrain OPP
position TO them, IN either party. Their only
politics is greed Of gain.
One party retains possession OF the govern.
ment for a quarter Of a century, by methods
which would long ago have condemned 1t to
crushing defeat, but for the errors OF demo
cratic leaders, always committed at the worst
time. For long years past, the republican
party has existed upon sectional agitation and
by the folllcs Of its opponents.
There are hundreds OF thousands OF pure
and patriotic men in both organizations, who
are rendered wholly powercss by the machine
management of each, and who are politically
cnslsved by leaders that secretly unite when-
ever venai object Is to Ike gained by combin-
alton.
Regular nominations dictated by profession
III politicians, and the irresponsible caucus,
directed by few ambitious leaders, control
national, state, and municipal politics. They
put up candidates, construct platforms, and
proclaim patriotic principles in fine phrases,
which are mere shams.
Is luiHtSslDtC Ou go
scale while one hundred thousand offices and
patronage represented in some five hundred
millions of annual receipts and expenditures
are offered as the prizes of success. The party
ia possession, disciplined and led like regu-
lar army, has an enormous advantage, which
is somewhat crippled by the bitter rivalry OF
Its chiefs
Unfortunately for the democratic party, al
prejudice exists in the northern mind that 1t
was hostile TO the union during the civil war
The fact that te.ls Of thousands OF democrats,
many of them, too, from then slavehoiding
states, nobly volunteered their services for and
offered up their lives IN defense OF the old flag
does not affect this belief.
While that prejudice exists, tho chances CT
success for the democratic party are limited,
however patriotic its purposes may be. II the
mere name should be abandoned, the republi
can party would die from the want OF an OPP
position that now serves to keep II alive.
A national party founded on harmony be
tween all parts Of the union, real reform OF
abuses, economy in public expenditures, rigid
accountability of officers, honest civil service
free and fair elections, upright observance OF
all constitutional Obligations, and mainte-
nance of the public credit, would be gladly
welcomed by the people.
Republicans and democrats alike seek to be
emancipatcd from the vulgar despotism OF the
machine" which is common to both parties.
There are cheering signs that the end OF this
dominallon draws near IN the popular demand
for good government, without respect TO par.
ty Ring rule must he oyerthrown, or 1t will
stop the wheels of progress and destroy the
of social order
These opinions have long been entertained,
without the least desire for conceslment. With
high respect, DAVID DAVIS.
John Martin, Esq, Topeka, Nan.