The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-10

"
we would decline to follow.
I cannot see. sir, that two wrongs can
make right. We cannot justify our SINS
AGAINST the Constitution and against
| free institutions by pleading the ike
sins of our opponents by way OF recouP-
ment or set-Otf. By such course we
only prove our equal unhtness for the
great duties and high trusts to which
we seek to be called. Precedents OF
evil are alarm-bells to warn us OF dan
gers to be avoided, not examples to be
followed. Otherwise, sir, party contests
would degenerate into a mere rivalry IN
iniouity, struggles for supremacy IN
crime; reform would be impossible. we
ne a party have suffered, and, what Is
more our country has suffered from
these evil methods of our opponents.
While admit they possibly deserve a
+ return of the poisoned chalice to- their
own lips, yet this cannot be done without
inhictingf curse upon the country
t Our highest duty is to save, not destroy,
the institutions under which we live.
6 To quote from the letter of Mr.. Jefferson
: read by the Senator from Georgia Mr..
t Brown, ~ shall (would) take no other
|, revenge than by steady pursuit OF
J economy and peace, and by the establish
ment of Democratic principles in sub
f stance and in form sink" the Repub-
:, lican party "into an abyss from which
is there will be 20 resurrection for It,"
s. think, sir, it deserves death, but not at
9, the hands of malefactors equally deprav-
n ed. or by the like criminal methods it
=, has so long practiced, but only by par
'e ty whose sole inspiration shall be to re-
j. form and purify the administration and
a to exercise the high powers intrusted to
At it by the people, solely for the peoples
er good Such party | hope the country
st will find in the Democratic party if only
it shall be true to its great mission and
ia the teachings of its most illustriou'
v leaders.
n Mr. President the speech Of the honor,
! able Senator from Georgia leads me Il
-, make some further observations on THU
-, =, part of the subject The Senator seemed
:, to think that if this bill passed there woulC
~ be no salvation for the Democratic party
10 that it would turn into defeat the conf
OIL IDENTIFY anticipated victory of 1884. II,
,e, seemed to think there would be no rallyinj
IN to our banners if upon them was not in
at scribed the corrupting aud demoralizin!
al sentiment ITO the victors belong tn
ID, spoils," or "Come all We that are hungr.
ed and eat without money and without price.
he l deny that this interprets Alright the Dem
ocratic sentiment of this country; deny
or sir, that the Democratic party is an associ
ba alton without principles, held togethe
be only by the cohesive power of publ
If plumber
VI 1t had its birth with the Constitution
- which cannot survive its dissolution. i
nc the days of its power it administered tn
NJ Government with devotion to the Const
| tuition and fidelity to the people 1t threN
,ed the protecting folds of its mantle aroun
d. the people, shielding them from foreig
aggression and from the equally danger
wn GUS yet more insidious foe who sought t
m pervert the powers of government for til
on benefit of the few to the destruction of tn
DIST interest of the great mass of the people
rcd 1t was 80 constituted that its selhshnes
The was virtue, for the people and it WEI
IN ons,
nd A long possession Of power begat fault
ans One of these was the practice in some d.
80 gree OF the very system which this bi
;on seeks to put down. For more than a gel
lHil Grafton it has not had power, yet in thos
'he long years it has retained its organizatio
no. and its vitality. If it had no other motiN
IKE for existence than the gaining of power f
tes the sake of the spoils it would long sine
on have been extinct. For several years pa
or the spoils system has been used in my ow
md and other States to tempt its members fro
so their allegiance, yet how few have falle
It'll How few have yielded to the template
cal and sold their birthright for mess Of Of
ess cial pottsge.
md Sir, it will go into the contest of l8S
to as it did in 1876, when led by its create
the captain since Jefferson, with its soga
hey reform, fidelity to official trusts and eco
oy- omy in administration" and not under Il
YER. miserable battle-cry 'booty for the victor
ira woe to the vanquished."
mi Mr.. President, have said, sir, that tn
inc reform Of the civil-service and purifcatic
to OF political methods are demanded by ii
the people. When they speak it is our du
vot to listen and obey.
o,,t The object of this bill is to enforce tn
~ demand and secure this publication.
w 1t may not be all that is necessary.
Wy may even prove in the hands of a fait
uu- less and corrupt administration Who'll
TOTS inefficient Where so much must necess
1iso rlty be left to tthe good faith and soul
out discretion of the Administration, no L.
ole can be made efficient without an hone
pro- and fair execution. But ii its provisio
this be evaded, if its spirit be perverted, the
lers remains still remedy, the right of I
anne people to choose an administration
sympathy with its provisions. The la
rg;a however, even if evaded will do gre
tbis good. As said on former occasion,
,on- embodies, incarnates in the shape of a pr
! - lie statute, the healthy, honest sentimt
~ and judgment Of the country. 1t emphasi;
,eeP the peoples condemnation Of the evils a
zap crimes 1t forbids. 1t is plain direct
VIC and command to the Administration Il
'aI- the public conscience no longer tolera
md the use of public offices to thwart or q
ft@, troll the public will. No administrati,
sta no party is strong enough to DEFY succ
srty fully the public voice thus expressed. T
by statute will strengthen the hands of tn,
sor- who desire pure administration, W
the prefer country to party, and weaken tn,
hat who would pervert the Administration
sver mere party ends.
sup But il is said, sir, the statute is unn
I be essary II the administration desire reloI
/ | that there is no compulsion now 10 pur,
ort. these methods, and that all these evils m