Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-09-26
The Republican Downfall.
From the New York sun.l


time TO time to the voters of their
party. They implore them to 90
to the primaries and see that proper
nominations are made. They en-
treat them to turn out on election
day and save the dear cid party
from destruction. They complain |
that republicans seem to be averse to
taking part in active political work, |
and so Indifferent to the general
breaking up which threatens the |
party.
So far as influence upon the great
aud increasing mass of Republican |
indiffertism Is concerned, the e
appeals are likely to be wasted.
The more intelligent and thought
full are sick Of going to primaries
where proceedings and nominations
are controlled by a set OF nen who
make politics their business and a
paying business. They are asham-
ed OF supporting candidates in
whose election they had no voice,
and of whose unfitness, in too ma
ny cases, they are convinced. They |
have sacrificed not only their preju-
dices, but their honest convictions,
at more than one election. They |
lave been betrayed By strained |
sense OF party tcalty into casting
their votes for candidates whom
they knew TO be unworthy. More
than once, after show OF oppOsI-
ton, they have played into the
hands OF the party managers.
They have learned by bitter ex-
peiience TO dIslrust and d. spise
most OF the so.caled leaders Of their
party. Many OF these dissatisfied
voters have become perfectly indlt-
terent 10 lis fortunes, and nave de-
termined not 10 vote at all until
some great and now hardly posi-
bic change shall convert it from a
party Of plumber INTO a party OF
principle. Many others, on whom
party allegiance sits moe lightly,
have resolved to vote with the
Democrats, either permanently or
until the Republican party iorsakes |
its evil ways.
The absence of the Que class and
the presence oil the other at the
polls last tall helped to give the
Republican party a severe and de-
served punishment. 1t shows as
yet but the iaiutest signs Of recoy-
ering from the effects OF that pun
ishment. The Republican voters
who struck it down show no precep- |
tible signs Of repentance.
The organs and the managers
may remopstra.e and suppIicate,
but these Republicans will remain
deaf to their appeals. The hordes
of oficu holders and OF professional
politicians are about the only Re-
publicans who are still deeply in.
teresied in Republican success. 1t
IS a matter OF bread and butter
with them. a large number OF
voters, especially in tue country,
where political affiliations are slow.
ly made and slowly cast off, still
cling to Republicans m from force
OF habit and old associations, trem-
bling as yet TO 60 to the side
whittier their consclences are be-
ginning to point them. But where
are the Republicans who were Re
publicans from we'll founded conyic- |
ton, and who cleave to that party
from their admiration OF what it Is
and not OF what it was ?
There would be no need Of CALI !
ing on political voters to do their
political duty il the party still had
great principles at stake and great
public ends IN view, as it once mad. |
In Its better days it filled its adj
herents with earnest enthusiasm |
and faith. There was not one IN
different voter in it then. Every
man it thoroughly believed III 1t
because it had a definite object and
had proposed 10 itself a noble work.
1t grew into power because 1t be-
lieved in itself.
Never did party sink from
g eatness toward more Gisgraceful
end. 1t LOW has no principles, no
convictions, no honesty. 1t advo
Gates no Legislation by which the
public interests may be benefited.
1t stands on nothing which touches
tho popular heart. 1t sits shame
lessly with one hand in the public
till, and with the other points
with pride" TO the record OF the lew
years in which it was undishonored;
and upon that record asks TO be
allowed to keep on stealing.
Its own voters can find i'll 1t, as
it exists today, nothing to inspire
or even respect. Its
work was done long ago. 1t can
succeed no longer on false prteenccs.
Its time has come.