Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-14
The Popular VietOry-What it In
wolves.

achieved by the people on Tuesday over
the machine politicians is comprehended
by every intelligent voter in the land.
The victory speaks for itself, and the
causes that produced it were recognized
before it was won. The consequences
that it involves now interest the public,
and while the popular judgment may
vary as to many of these, there are some
so salient that all can perceive them.
The Republican party, whether
humanitarian or selfish or both in its
origin, has controlled the Federal affairs
for nearly two decades. Its mission
really ended with the abolition of slavery
and the adoption of the "war" amend
ments, which it was pleased to construe
were the logical outcome of abolition.
Since the Embarrassment of the negro
Radicalism has been at a standstill, so
far as the development of its policy goes.
1t has lived on its war record and the
support rendered it by the benefciaries
of its favors conferred at the expense CT
the people, and has been sustained by
what has been aptly termed the ''cohe-
siveness of public plumber"
In the memorable convention that
nominated Garfield, Flanagan of Texas
gave voice to the mission of the party
when he inquired, "What are we here
for except for the of1ces2" The spOils
of patronage have been the prize for
which the factions of Radicalism have
striven ever since. To say that all Re
publicans have no other aims for their
party is to lose sight of thousands of
admirers Of Garfield who on Tuesday
either deliberately refraIned from voting
their party ticket or openly supported
the Democratic nominees. But while
the desire fer reform must be conceded
to possess a multitude of Republican
citizens, the party represented by the
administration is actuated by no such
spirit. 1t made the issue and lost upon
it, but it is not reconciled to the neces.
sity of reform, to which public opinion
has so emphatically called its attention.
Reform within the Republican party
is impossible. The people SO recognized
and have so declared. The most salient
consequences of the popular victory is
that Republicanism is to be disciplined
by dismissal from the service of the peo-
pie in the Lower House of the next Con-
gress, where the mOmentous measures
involving the derivation and expenditure
of the public revenues originste. In
other words, the honesty of the Repub-
licsn party has been impeached, and it
can only be again trusted when its oppo-
nents prove equally dishonest or mani
fest incapacity to perform the services
entrusted to them.
True, the Republican majority in the
present Congress will have the Oppor-
tunity to endeavor to comply with the
wishes of the people in regard to the
great questions of taxation, which in
wolves the internal revenue system and
the tariff, and also the subject of civil
service reform. 1t is extremely doubtful
though whether the two factions can
be brought to an accord on these topics
or the other matters that will come up
for discussion. In fact, a compliance
with the public wishes on the part of
the R publican majority now would be
compulsory. and little credit could be
derived from such a course. Besides,
while public opinion is decided upon the
necessity of reform, the scope and
character of the changes to be made
have not been determined, and the Re.
publican novitiate of reform will be too
limited to permit Messrs. Robson and
Keifer and their associates from shining
in the role of honest craftsmanship.
The real work of reform will be be-
gun in the FOrty-elghth Congress, which
viii contain majority fresh from the
people, specially charged with the pre-
sentation of their wishes in the premises.
That the beginning will be suspicious
we have every assurance, and that it will
be carried to perfection under the direc-
ton of a Democratic administration
after 1884 there is every probability.
The Republican party occupies pretty
much the same relation to public affairs
as tenant with notice to quit. 1t can
serve out its term, but it is likely to be
succeeded by its present opponents, and
possibly by a new rival. 1t can only
retain possession by the tender of the
most extraordinary guarantees. Looking
forward, it appears that the country is
about to witness return to the honesty
and economy of earlier years.
The Democracy, with its tried princi-
pies and time honored traditions, is
strong, united and jealous. Let its lead.
ers be discreet, but bold and open and
above board in their dealings with the
people, and naught can hinder its resto-
ration to power. Vaclllstion, timidity
and bungling cannot but invite defeat,
and create the necessity for
political organization that can be trusted
to do the peoples will. When such an
organization cannot be found, republican
government will be impossible Honesty,
wisdom and courage are the three great
essentials to the restoration and con-
tinuance of Democratic supremacy.
About Wages
Secretary Lord, of the Illinois Labor