The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-17


chance.
Mr.. President, the only reform posi-
bic in this country is a total change OF
principles and policy, Of men and meas
ures, from top to bottom. They have
been in long enough. Let them all
60. The Republican party have had all
the Offices for twenty-five years; they
have had full swing, and it is time
that they should 90. Sir, is there any
thing on earth that corrupts men like
long possession of power and the tempta-
ton incident to it? / have often thought
that il there was any one part of the
Lords Prayer better than another, 1t
was that which said, Lead us not into
Temptation" and if it were allowable |
would add to that, "nor keep us exposed
to it too long" This party has had
power much too long for the good
of the country, much too long for its
own good faith and honor.
Mr.. President, the only reform posi-
bic is total change The country has
been relying on one side so long that il
has at last turned over. | do not look
at the late elections as so much Demo
cratic victory as a Republican defeat
II is not that the country has suddenly
become in love with the Democracy, but
it is thoroughly disguised with the Re
publicans; and if the Democrats arr
wise and moderate, and just, they vii
be able to rally all these elements of OPP
position in 1884, and ride into powe
upon the tidal wave Of this popular in
dignation. There is no sort of doub
> about that. 1t looks to me that it is alb
solutely certain that we shall come int
: power in 1885. These men understan,
it, and they are putting their house il
order. Shall we put~obstructions il
our way to cleaning out the whole thing
| am for clean sweep; am for hous
cleaning from garnet to cellar; ! am 70
ferreting out all these old rats who hay
been in the treasury so long that the
know where the ripest cheeses are an
the best kind of cheeses, too; | am fo
pouring water in their holes and bring
: ing the last one Of them from the bottoI
+ of his berth.
The only way to reform is to put
. good, honest Democratic President in i
1884; then turn on the hose and Civ
> him good hickory broom and tell hin
; to sweep the dirt away That is pract
5 cal sense, that is honesty. l feel it to
!, so at any rate. Gentlemen talk abol
Z Democrats having set this example
! is no such thing. Jackson put his frienC
l. in and turned his enemies out; JefFerso
so did to some extent. All honest an
. sensible men have done the same thinl
hf1t Vn nF II
a corruption fund, and no one Of the
:, ever farmed out the patronage Of Stat
. Never was such thing done either |
y Pierce or Buchanan. Old HarrisC
II issued an order forbidding it in all Il
departments, and making it a cause
. the removal of the chief and of the cler
J. That was because of some little scand
. that had grown up against Van Bure
: Mr.. President, am perfectly Statistic
o that the Democrats are coming in
Y 1884. This great battle that has in
= taken place has been battle betwe,
y the people and their own Governmer
= The question is whether the people we
y able to turn out their own servants WHIT
y they had mind to. They have won Il
% first battle, and they will follow up tn
- success until their victory is compile
y and they have restored good governme
Y Y and an honest administration and a
y not, for one, seeking to place any o
structions in the way of that party VIII,
: it comes in | want 10 make Gle,
q sweep of the whole thing. Give us FL
: room and fair experiment, gentleme
y and that will be the reform that Il
. country wants, for there is no other I
: form possible except thorough al
\ complete change from top to bottor
y This is demanded for the good of Il
: country, and this the people are dete
mined to have, and will have.