The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-11-01
Democratic Opportunity.

If, as now seems probable, the Demo
cracy should come into power in our next
Congress, there will be an excellent oppor-
tsnity to inaugurate some of the many re-
forms they have been advocating, to correct
some of the abuses charged against the Re
publicans, and to show themselves capable,
if they can, of wise and patriotic statesman
ship. 1t must be confessed their course,
while in and out of power during the last
twenty years, is not reassuring, but if they
are capable of learning wisdom by ex-
perience they cannot fail to see that their
only hope of retaining permanent control
of the Government lies in their ability to
convince the people, by their fruits, that
they are seeking TO establish good govern
ment and to administer it economically
and wisely. They will be in position
where q negative course-one that is simply
obstructive-will meet with no sympathy
from the people. An effort TO undo or re-
peal the legislation growing out of the war
and reconstruction, with a manifest pur-
pose TO establish themselves in control of
the Government-as when recently given a
brief lease of power-will result as then in
their inglorious retirement to obscurity,
where they have reposed most of the time
for the last twenty-five years. If it is not
expecting too much, we would hope that
they might surprise the country with an
example Of wisdom and purity and states
manship that would reconcile US to a
Democratic administration for many years
TO come. We should be sincerely glad if
both parties could exercise the spirit of
selfshness and greed and desire for per-
sonal sgrandizement that has in far too
great degree dominated them and be-
come possessed of a purpose to stimulate
each other to good works by each striving
to outdo the other in promoting the best
interests of the Government and people.
Ifthe Democracy comes into power they
will find themselves on probation, and if
they fail TO justify the confidence given
them, they will as certainly be dethroned
as they have been suddenly and unexpect-
edly placed in power. If they do any bet
ter than the Republicans have been doing
for the last few years, we shall be glad of
our defeat; for although there appears to be
almost infinite political distances between
the two parties, in favor of the Republicans,
il must still be confessed that there is large
room for improvement; and if either better
or a worse example is needed to bring us
TO our senses and teach us that honesty and
patriotism can alone entitle party to the
righfto administer the government, it is
high time we were taught the lesson. The
lesson of history is that in the presence Of
danger from foreign foes, or of civil war
that threatens the life of a nation, the hon.
est and patriotic come to the front, and
substantial progress is made, even in the
face of threatened ruin, while in times OF
prosperity, there is tendency to fast and
luxurious living. The wicked and unscru-
pulous gradually get hold of the reins OF
government, and the greatest dangers and
even destruction overtakes it. This is nc
more true of Republicans than of other
parties which have long been in control,
but sufficiently 50 TO produce disaffection
and alarm, and something was necessary
to check and reform the growing tendency
70 personal agrandizement, to selfishness,
TO jobbery and political dishonesty. If the
Republican party could go ont of power
long enough to free it from the leeches that
attach themselves to it for purposes oi
plunder, and for the Democracy to furnish
as it is probable they will do, new exam.
Piles of their capacity for laundering, to
arouse us to the necessity OF honesty and
patriotism in all our political methods, il
would be defeat we could well afford to
suffer.