Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-03-08
WASHINGTON. d. G..
Feb o2th 1880

have by these respective acts, conclu-
slvely shown that they are in the field
for the Republican nomination in 1884,
and that they are DESTROYS to get rid Of
those they regard as formidable oppon'
ents by providing them life positions,
trusting that gratitude coupled with
honorable motives will keep them out
of the race for Presidential honors.
1t seems strange that men OF deep
thought. who by process OF clear
reasoning can reach almost infalllble
conclusions, can become so engrossed
and infatuated with single idea or
purpose as to lose sight of those silent
political forces and resolutions going on
around them and not know of their ex
istance, or if knowing them, TO treat
with indifference the gathering forces
that IN the end is sure to overwhelm
them when 100 late to combat or turn
them aside. Ambition has dug the
grave Of many great men, who by the
grave mistake in not needing the signs
of the times, have grasped their way to
the hole built by themselves and are
buried in oblivion.
The American people are thinking
The bloody shirt can no longer be made
political factor in coming campaigns
to excite men to sectional hatred, there
is not enough of its frzzeled ends left
to weave a thread that would be a per-
ceptable line between North and South
whereby political parties can in the
future be divided.
The result of this thought will not
perhaps be the formation Of new OF
third party; but the higher and purel
element of both the parties iuto the one
now existing, which the people will
decide has the most and purest patriot
ism, coupled with the sincerest desire
to conduct the legislation of the country
on On honest and strictly business
basis.
The unity which has for years past
existed in the Republican party, nc
longer exists.
The great power which has hereto
fore held it together, (the greed for
office and spoils) has at last failed, and
become not only its weakness, but the
agency through which its death and
decomposition is occurring.
The want Of Offices 10 meet the
continuously growing demand, has
created much wide spread dissatisfaction
among the ambitious and disappointed,
that Bessism Is last losing Its power,
and the disintigration of the so long
dominant party is going en-, like the
melting of hlllock of sand to the rising
tide.
With the corrupt element Of the
Democratic party, the same results are
being reached but through different
causes.
Struggling for the past quarter Of a
century, for success and power in vain,
dispair and hopelessness has Disguised
the veual element, and they are as
naturally as flies thicken around q
putrid carcass. gravilating to that party
which has absorbed within itself, re
pudiation, perjury, prostitution, ant
theIving and by legislation sought 10
make them nineteenth century virtues.
Uninterrupted power with the one
party and continual defeat with the
other. is bringing the venal element in
both in iull sympathy and accord.
The desperate efforts that have been
made 10 maintain and 10 gain pow er
has necessi:ated the use Of such corrupt
and dishonOrable means, as at last tC
have opened The eyes of the cOuserva-
tive political element of the country,
and they are surely thinking themselves
into a compact element. which as sOoD
as a leader is found 10 cement the mass
into a unit will at tie first onset
sweep corruption and corruptionlst:
into the pool Of oblivion, and enslal
men of honor, probity and energy to
guide our dear country back into those
paths, when, to be an elected one by
the people, was an honorable AMI re-
sponsible trust.
The recent election in Philadelphia
is one Of those political events which
will, BY the time the next national con.
test rolls round, become epidemic
everywhere throughout our land.
II one hundred reputable and deter
mined citizens, can by forming them
selves into committee, accomplish
such a wholesome and beneficial refor.
nation in one city; what indeed would
be the result if similar committees
formed for like purpose in every cleo
ton precinct 10 the country? such &C
ton on the part of The citizens every.
where, would compel the nomination
of pure, good and Honorable men fol
Office.
No man could lie found willing 10
take nomination unless he felt as
sured his pas: social and political record
would Stand The crucial test Of the
committee.
Gu tie other hand professional polti
clans, who by low and disreputable
tricks known so well TO themselves,
how TO be appointed as delegates
to nominating conventions. would from
the shere force of inevitable results, no
dare to put up as leaders the corrupt
bosses, who. lost to all rational. state
and local pride, look only TO power
wherel y to enrich themselves and be-
friend their unprincipled followers.
Politics would again be purified anC