The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-02-08
The Political Situation.

The results of this years ele tions
have excited much comment. At first
view they seemed to be due to the dis
sensions in the Republican ranks, but
on closer study their explanation is
found to lie deeper; it is a ground
swell,' of which all surface disturb
ances are e"ects not causes. To get an
understanding of this sub ,ect it is nee
essary that we dismiss from our m nds
all partisan prejudices, for it concerns
the organic principles of our Govern
ment, and demands thoughtful con-
sideration.
The American people are divided into
two parties; these grow out of the form
of our Government; each is needed for
it's preservation. All agree that there
is division line between the powers of
the General and the Sta Governments.
To enlarge unduly the power of the
States endangers our Union. To extend
unduly the Jurisdiction of Congress
leads to corruption.
For long time the Democratic party
had the direction of affairs. The digis-
ion OF our country in free and slave
States led the latter, out of fear of Fed
eral interference, to carry the doctrine
of State rights too far. Civil war was
the result. After the contest was over
there was reaction against the doc
trine of State rights. A feeling grew
up that the stability OF the General I ov-
ernment might be insured by giving to
it larger powers. Jurisdict on was
mistaken for strength. This sentiment
was carried too far, for, while State
rights have been unduly magnitied,
they still exist. and are as sacred as the
rights of the General Go. ernment.
Cur Oldest political organisms are
those needed by local communities, and
which are designed for the preservation
of the rights of the respective localities.
These organi atoms, have different
names. but they are substantially what
we now cal towns. Notwithstanding
the diversities language and lineage
in our country, the people gave like
powers and forms 10 their local govern
ments. Our Union and Constitution
grew out of these facs. Their exist
ence depends upon preserving the
boundaries between the different gov
ernmental functions thus established.
At the cl Sc of the civil war the public
feeling was so excited that prejudice
grew up against the term ..rights of
States"
At the last Presidential e'ection the
Republican party Sc ected as its candi-
'centra ization." He expressed his Joy
towards the National capital.
A member of the Cabinet in 1880,
speaking of our Government in an adj
dress which was circul ated by the Re-
publican rganizati n. said:
of hs, E., fhaf 1fic
Government is no Il nger the simple ma
chinery it was in the early days of the
Republic. The bucolic age of America
is over. They are the inter-
ests of near,y $4,000, 200 of peop e.
spread over an immense surface, with
occupations of endless variety and great
magnitude, producing interests so push
ing, powerful, and SO Instant y appea
ing to the Government, rightfully ol
| wrong. .ally, that the requirements o.
craftsmanship demanded N this age are
| far different from those which sufficed g
century ago"
To show how far recent Administra
tions have drifted from the positions
held bv the patriots who formed the
Constitution, it will only be necessary
to refer to the warnings uttered by
Washington in his farewell address. Ii
| is remarkable not only for its wisdom
and foresight, but ir, m the fact that il
aptly describes the condition into which
we ha been drawn by the influence ol
destructive currents:
THE spirit of encroachment tends tt
consolidate the powers of all the de
partments in one, and thus to create
whatever the form of government. {
real ds5potism. A just estimate of tha
love of power and proneness to abuse il
which predominates in the human
heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the
truth of this position. The necessity
of reciprocal checks in the exercise o
political power BY dividing and distrib
uting it into di ferant de eJositories and
constituting each the guard an of th'
public veal against invasion by tn,
others has been inced by experiments
ancient and modern, some of them il
our own country and under ou' owl
eyes. To preserve them m st be a
necessary as to institute them
The words uttered bv Washington
and by General Garfield respectively
show the difference between the polio
now most favored by the Republican
party and that advocated by the patr OF
of the eyol ton.
l have no inten ion of impea ching III
patriotism of those who hold ppin on
which grew out of the exc tcments o
civil wa But. in their eng .rncss t.
extend the jurisdiction OF the Genera
Government, they went too far. ant
expo the country to unforeseen dan
gers. Areyiew of the events of tey
years past, as set forth by Republica
Journals, Will make this clear.
The capital of OR country is on on
side of this ointment, at q great dis
tance from most parts OF the Union
without CONNER or manufac. ures, an
ordinarily no one has occasion TO visit
except for business with officials. Law
ish expenditures are as necessary for it
citizens as good harves are for tn
farmers. Every appropriat on in favo
of points however remote is IN some &c
gree benefit to its citi ems; it makes
clerkship or some employment for
resident. Hente Washington has raE
idly grown from small place to cit
; of $50. 0G0 inhab tants. 1t can not b
denied that the views of its people RI
garding eXpen liturrs are ale ted b
! their interests an that they make tn
local at osphere wnich members of til
Government breathe when they reac
the capital. 1t is not necess ssary to r,
peat the history of the corruption
VIII ch have brought dishonor upon tt
: American peope, AMI which have o.
casioned demands for reform from a
parts of the Union. hose who hay
2 live under these baleful influence
r when they return to Their homes, fir
5 they have Eeen misled by the local ides
3 at the capital.
The increase III the revenues of til
t Government has given to Congressme
, sast sums of monei to vote away te
, various purposes. Much is used Tor I'll
a payment OF the public re II. much
voted away for the enefit OF those WI
t have hemes VIII ch they wish to ha,
1 execute at the pn c ost. TIL draw
from all parts of the Union shrewd an
: inscriptions men, who seek share