Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-04-23

tween the people aud the Incorporated
monopolics OF the country, that, in the
writer's opinion, must sooner or later
supersede al others, il uot virtually de-
eide the fate OF our republican institu-
tlous:
TAsEINaroS, April s, 1881.
DEAR Sir: am obliged for the friend
" cAprc>-io in your letter. In my
Judgment. the best hope for the country Is
through . reconstruction OF parties. Our
politics have become degraded in Il shame
!ui scramble for the >poilN of office. For
weeks past the Senate, when i supposed
20 represent the best Intellect OF both
sides. has been engaged III AN un>eemly
struggle for small places. And now at
the very start of new Administration,
the Republican factions are arraTed
against each o,aer, over the patronage
Great corporation, and consolidated mo-
uopolicS are fast selling the avenues OF
power, that lead 10 control Of the Gov
rrnmcut. l. is an open secret that they
rule States, through procured legislatures
and corrupted courts ;that they arc strong
in Congress, and that they are uuScrupu-
dice and To- acquire influence.
This condition OF things Is truly alarm
ing, for unless il be changed quickly and
thoroughly, free institutions are doomed
be substituted 5yan Oligarchy resting
upon basis of money and Oi corporation
power. Every farmer III the West l.
bound hand and foot 10y the mapac!c> oi
monopoly. CORPORATION. prescribe the
value OF his hard labor, and his crop l.
absolutely al their mercy. Who proposes
on either side, to protect the just rights OF
the great agricultural community, with
25.OOO, 900 Of populatiOnf Corporations
not only l,yy toll on the industry Ot far
merS, but every blanket with which their
children are wound, every plowshare that
turns the soil, aud the necessary articles
ofhouSch0ld economy are taxed by an eX-
Orbitant tariff for the profit OF monopoly.
How can resistance he successfully made
against corporate power, when both The
great parties are organized and run As
close corporationSy Leading newspapers,
recognized a. Republican and Democrat
g. ORGANS, are owned and directed by
rra>pImg mOnOpoi>ts to Sub>erve their
selfish schemes, and to restrain opposition
10 thcm IN either party. Their only poll
ties is greed aud gain.
Government for a quarter OF century by
methods which would long ago have con-
d.mncd it to crushing defeat but for the
errors of Democratic leaders. always COM
mitted at the worst time. For long years
past the Republican party has existed mp
ON sectional agitation and by the 1oiiies OF
it, opponents.
There are hundreds ~ thousands Of
pure and patriotic men in both organizs-
lions who are rendered wholly po~"rlesS
Jv the machine management of each, and
who are politically euslaved by leaders
that secretly unite whenever vcnal OBJ
icct is TO he gained by combination.
Regular nominations dictStcd by pro-
fcsSional politicians and the irreSpon sble
caucusCs, directed 10y 4 few ambitious
leaders, control National, state and Mu
uicipal politics. They put up candidates,
construct platforms ana proclaim patrio +
ic principles in fine phrases, which are
mere ShamS.
Practical reform "a impossible on any
largr scale, while one hundred thousand
offices, and patronage represented in
some five hundred millions OF annual re-
c,ipts ana expenditures, are offered a. the
urizeS of success. The party in posses
Sion, disciplined and led like Il regular
army, has an enormous advantage, which
is somewhat crippled by the bitter rivalry
OF its chiefs.
Unfortunately FOR tie Democratic par
~ a prejudice exists in the Northern
mind that il was hostile 10 the Union dur
i'm. the civil wAr. The fact that tens of
thousands Of Democrats. many Of them,
roo. from then sHchoiding States, nobly
volunteered their services for, and offered
mn their lives in dcf'n.n Of, the Old flag,
does not ailcc; this belief.
While that prCiUiiCe exists, the chances
Of success for me Democratic party are
limited, however patriotic IFS purposes
may he. If the mere name should be
abandoned. the Republican party would
die from the vsnt of Al opposition, that
now serves tn keep it alive. A National
party. founded on harmony between all
parts of the tnion: real reform OF abuses;
economy in public expenditures; rigid aCS
cOuntlbility OF OriCerS, honest civil SER
vice; free ana fair elections; upright OBJ
servance OF AL Constitutional obligations,
and maintenance oi the public credit.
would he gladly welcomed by The people.
Republicans and Democrat. alike seek
TO b. cmancipateu from the vulgar deS-
pOti>m OF the Machine" which is COM
mon to both parties. There are cheering
signs that the end of this domination
draws near III the popular demand for
good government, without respect TO
party. Ring rule must be overlhrown,
or il will stop 1.-THE wheels OF progress and
DESTROY the foundations Of social order.
These opinions have long been entertained
without the least desire FOR concealmen:.
With high respect, DAVID DAVIS.
nD" The Morgan Nerc"ry says, Cir
cult Court convened Tuesday with
Il Il Il.