Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-06

Federal affairs was so pressing IN 1870
that the candidacy of Tilden and Hend-
ricks was mainly conducted on that
issue. The fattering majority upon the
popular vote accorded to the Democratic
ticket testified to the appreciation the
people had then of the necessity for the
correction of abuses Impressed with
the popular verdict, the Hayes admins
tration, itself the product of barefaced
fraud, made a pretence of bringing
about q better order of things.
1t covered itself with the mask
of decency and managed to conceal its
short comings for a season. Yet, it was
no better than its immediate predecessor,
for under # the gigantic star route
swindles were condoned, and it was not
until Garfield entered the White House
that the real character of Hayes regime
became known.
Garfield owed his election mainly to
the belief of numerous decent Republic
cans that he, being a statesman, would
comprehend his duties, and that he had
the power as well as the will
to perform them. Certain it is
that his inaugural sent thrill of sat-
isfaction through the public pulse, such
as it had not felt for years. His brief
management of affairs heightened that
satisfaction, and. when the dreadful
tidings came that he had fallen at the
hands of an assassin, public confidence
was shattered.
The promises of his successor dispelled
in a measure public apprehension, but
his performances. have awakened alarm
to an extent rarely felt even in the palmy
days of Grants infamy. There is moth
ing in Arthur's conduct of affairs to
justify the faintest hope that the public
interests can be promoted at his
hands. The star route prosecution, the
biggest card he has played for public
confidence, was travesty on Justice.
His surrender of Virginia to the domino
ton of Malone rivals the complaisance
of the feeblest of the Roman Emperors
to their favorite proconsuls. His subver
sion of the will of the Republicans of
New York smacks of dictatorship
repugnant to every free citizen
of the Republic. In short, view
his regime as we may, the fact stands
out in bold relief that the need Of reform
is as pressing to-day as in 1875, and fur
thermore the spirit of bossism Is per
soni6ed in the man who directs the
machine from the White House.
Thoughtful Republicans cannot shut
their eyes to these facts, and accordingly
they have resolved to face the issue and
press it to a successful settlement.
The growing sentiment in favor of
reform in the conduct of public affairs
has made itself felt in numerous local
contests, and is every day adding to its
strength. Now or never must reform
be obtained, is the. conviction of every
man who perceives the need of it. Tax
alton must be lowered to a just
basis, and expenditures cut down. The
public service must be raised to bust
ness standard. Leaks must be stopped,
the lobbyists and jobbers rebuked, aud
public servants be made to feel that their
positions are trusts and not gifts to be
used for personal ends. The people are
determined that their wishes shall be re-
spected.
They have trusted the Republican
party, and even allowed it to set at
naught their choice for the Chief Magis-
tracy. They can trust Radicalism no
longer. Many of its votaries have lost
faith in it. The sole remedy of the
people is to restore Democracy to power.
Once restored, it will have the oppor-
tunity to again vindicate its professions,
which have never changed. Should it,
too, fail to discharge its obligations, the
remedy may be desperate, but it will be
found. But there is enough of honesty
and patriotism IN the Democratic party,
which has numbered among its counsel
lors the foremost and best men of the
Republic, to preserve its integrity and
insure the blessings of good government
to all who dwell within its borders.