Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-01-24


the Cabinet already quoted, are "pro-
ducing aspirations and interests so
powerful and complicated in their ma
turc and so constantly appealing to
the Government, rightfully or wrong
fully, that the requirements of states
manship are far different from those
which sufficed a century ago"
Republican journals have made it
known throughout the land that this
last named organization is so potent
that it defies the Government itself in
its own couas, by the aid Of its own
agents. These facts have aroused the
attention of the patriotic Republicans,
who find that they are the results Of
their own doctrines of Capitalization.
The fruit Of Capitalization is found to
be system of temptations which will
grow worse as our population increas-
es in number and wealth. In less
than thirty years this country will
contain 100,000,000 Of souls. It's in
come will grow still more rapidly.
The amount of money in the hands
of Congress to be given away for all
sorts of objects, will, as past expert
ence shows, increase in a fourfold
ratio. Congress is now over-burdened
with duties, and it usually adjourns
more in consequence of the WEAKNESS
of members than because its task has
been done. All thoughtful men in
each party see that this state of things
must be corrected, that we must go
back to the teaching of the Constitu-
ton, and that strict construction of
the powers of Congress will have less
opportunity for corruption.
1t is this feeling which has produced
the political results of the year 1882.
1t has burst the strong bonds which
held together the Republican organic
alton A party which has doubts
about the correctness of its views los
es the power to adjust its controver-
sizes. Should they be adjusted the
tap of the drum will not call back
citizens to its ranks. | say this, not
because | would throw discredit upon
the Republican party; on the contra
ry, the sentiments which govern large
numbers of its members are patriotic
and honorable, as are their efforts to
check abuses which have grown out
of mistaken views of policy. 1t
would be an insult to say that they
were governed by their passions or
personal interest. No; the results of
the election of 1882 were not due to
local causes or controversies. They
were the product Of Il general belief
that the doctrines of Capitalization
have fostered serpent's eggs where
they were expected to give strength
to our Union. We have reports Of
corruptions not only in the post-ofiice,
in the signal service, and in.the police
force designed to protect the property
of the public from wrongs and robber-
les, but also in the collection and use
of political assessments, which Con-
gressmen claim they have a right to
make, while they punish as crimes
such acts by other officials. Other
departments, where there are greater
are yet to be looked into.
The circumstances of the elections
in the several States. The
character of the nominations had the
usual influence. Whatever difference
there may have been as to harmony
or strife in the ranks of parties, all
were overborne by the feeling in the
minds of thoughtful, calm and patri-
otto Republicans that they had drift
ed into errors under the influence of
passions infamed by civil war. And
this has been confirmed by every days
reports of judicial proceedings where
the Government has been bafiled
in its effort to punish wrong-doers, in
many instances in the corruption of
its own agents. All feel that in the
near future, when our population
shall be 100,000,000, our Government
cannot 60 on unless it returns to the
constitutional policy of our fathers.
In view of the evils growing out of
vague constructions of the constitu-
lion, and our usurpations of indefinite
powers, the public is inclined to heed
his warning of Washington:
If in the opinion of the people, the dis
ribution or modification of the const;tu-
ional powers be- in any particular wrong,
let 1t be corrected by an amendment in the
way the constitution designates. But let
here be no change by usurpation; for
hough this, in one instance, may be the
instrument of good, it Is the customary
weapon by which free governments are de-
'troyed. The precedent must always greatly
in permanent evil, any partial
Or transient benefit which the use can at
my time yield.
Wanted at Once.