Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-08
A Republican Crisis.

That the result of the elections marks
crisis in the history of the Republican
party there can be no doubt, and that
this crisis is far more grave and deci-
siye than the party has ever confronted
before, IS equally certain. There have
been many Republican defeats during
the last twenty-one years, but none of
such sweeping and crushing character
as this; none which indicated such
tremendous revolution in popular senti-
mcnt, such unmistakable and emphatic
condemnation of the principles and
practices that have SO long controlled
the National Administration. After
making all due allowance for Republic
an discussions. there still remains
wide margin of defeat, which cannot be
attributed TO these. and which must be
charged TO the sins and shortcomings
that patient people have endured un-
Gil patience ceased to be n virtue. The
discussions themselves are unimpeach-
able and unanswerable witnesses against
the power they have helped to break.
They were caused, not SO much by the
conflicting ambitions and INSCRIPTIONS
intrigues OF party leaders, rs by the de-
moralization and rottenness of the party
itself, which, disgusting the better por-
ton of the rank and Tile, either drove
them into open and active opposition or
kept them away from the polls. The
intelligence and honesty of the people
as whole. are, and we may hope will
always be, the salvation of our system
OF government; and no political organ
ization, however old and strong, how
ever hrmly cemented by drill and dis
cipline and the cohesive force of patron
age and plumber, can persistently insult
that intelligence and honesty without
provoking appropriate punishment.
Circumst noes may conspire to delay
this punt, hment, but never to avert it
altogether; and when it comes its weight
and severity will more than atone for
the postponement.
The Republican party began business
ON single issue, and after one failure.
IN 1886, established itself in 1861, only
through the suicidal blunder OF the
South. That section, had it cordially
united with its Northern friends, could
easily have elected n Democratic Presi-
dent; and II Southern Senators and Rep
resentatives had remained in Congress
after the inauguration OF n Republican
Administration, - Democratic majority
III the National Legislature won ld have
been all-suiiicient protection of Southern
rights. But il WAS not so TO be. and the
one Republican issue reached its con-
summation by the terrible processes of
CIV! war. No sooner was the war over
than the party dropped the mask OF pat
rlotism and philanthropy it had so sue
cessullv worn. Instead OF being con-
tent with the restoration of the Union
A. 1na fttt.f ION, g -.
ting about the healing OF the wounds
the sword had made, il Immediately
proceeded to conSoli dlte and perDetli
ate its political power by conferrina cit
izenship upon those who hardly knew
they were free, and certainly had no
luSt conception of the duties and re-
SpOnSibilties OF freedom-much less
citizenship. Military government in
the South accompanied African enfran-
chiscment, and enabled il to be util-
lzcd mt the ballot-box; and fol-
lowing in the same train, as a natu.
raj and legitimate result. came So
called Southern reconstruction" in
which negroes. carpet-baggers and Fed
eral bayonets were the dominating ele-
ments. OF the fruits OF this desperate
cuOrt To Republicanize the South we TO
not care to speak. Enough to saw that
they fixed an indelible stain upon the
american name and Nation. and cul-
IN mated I'm the greatest political crime
OF the century-the THEFT OF the Presi-
uency. his crime. however. compelled
the usnrper who hal profited bv il to
Nit tho Oke from Southern necks: and
since then Republicanism in the South
mas maintained preCar.ous and COM
paratNely harmless existence only
through the influence OF Federal patron
age and the shameless treacherv of sucb
men as Malone. IL the Republican
party had nothing To answer for q ycaDt
It's action in the South from 1868 70
1917. IL would still deserve even moro
than 10 has received from the peonIe.
Dut when We remember all that
IS meant by "Grantism." "StoI
wartism' and "Bossism;'' all that l.
included in the reign of abuse and cor.
ruPtlOn from 1877 to 1892. the wonder
Is that the "of year. did not brine ~,
avalanche OF popular rebuke to eStin-
gulsh The guilty party ut once aud for.
III there has not been such An nv.
aanche, there has been most unoues-
uonablya combination of earthoroLo
and tidal wave That shakes and shattars
the Republicans party from uIrret 70
foundation. No explanation will ev0
plain the resulsin New York. PennsvI-
Tana' Massachusetts and elsewhere tbaY
does not recognise the great and essen
alal TACT that tho party in its present
shape IS hopelessly rent asunder: and
house divided against itself cannot
stand. Tnere must either be radical
reconstruction from bottom TO ton =
complete turning over of an entirely new
lear. an unequivocsl and absolute new
departure. or Republican:sm Is dead
ana buried If the "Stalwarts'' and