Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-05-11
BRIGHT PROSPECTS.


Though it will be more than year
before state politics in Kansas will as
sumo anything like a lively form
enough is apparent now to convince US
that the success the democracy accom-
plished last November was but trifie
compared with what may be confident
ly expected in 1884. Fortune has been
kind to the party over the whole cOun-
try since 1880, and nearly every event
that has occurred has been favorable to
the democrats.
Commencing with National affairs,
look at the record. No sooner had
the Garfield administration been inaug-
urated than strife and bitterness arose
in the republican party; the leaders
were divided on all important questions
affecting the administration, and the
opportunity was afforded the stalwarts
Of showing their hatred of the success
full candidates of the Chicago conven-
tion- The result of all this was the as
sassination of the President by a disap-
pointed Office seeker. With the death
of Garfield matters did not assume a
more satisfactory shape and even to now
the great men Of that party are fight
ing among themselves and win keep 1t
up.
Following this came the prosecution
Of the Star Route thieves, and these
proved to be the parties highest in Re-
publican favor, leaders of the party, adj
visors and counselors of the admins
tration, and men who had done more
than all others towards electing the re-
publican ticket in 1880. Here it was
shown that \ ring had systematically
been swindling the governments and rob-
bling the people with the sanction of the
officials, and that the money stolen had
been partly used in carrying on the po-
litical campaign. As it was with the
whiskey ring unearthed in 1875, it was
shown that the republicans alone profit
ed from the robbery.
Then came the State elections in 1882
and these need but be mentioned, for
they are remembered by every one.
Throughout the whole Union democra-
cy elected its men. The troubles in the
republican party were still in existence
and were being carried on with bitter
ness; the people had not forgotten the
thievery and rascality that was then
being unearthed in the Star Route cas-
es. And another event occurred favor
able To the democracy. Over the whole
country the prohibition fanatics had
been agitating. The leaders of the re-
publican party still desired to retain for
it that empty title of God and Morali-
ty Party" and prohibition appeared to
them as the correct thing. As in Kan
sas the churches and Sunday schools
were made the instruments of carrying
out their ideas, and the subject was
never allowed to want for advocates.
A few leaders saw what the result would
be but did not have it in their power to
stop it.
The November election buried the
God and Morality" doctrines deep;
but not 30 deep tina t that they have not
again appeared, for we find that the
prohibition question has again found an
advocate in the Republican party. 1t
may not incorporate the subject 30
prominently in its platforms; but it will
furnish enough advocates to keep it
well stirred up. So add to this the
many other issues the party must de-
fend, at the head Of which may be men
toned the failure to give the people
what they demanded in the way of re
duced taxation, and the republicans are
indeed in bad shape for the campaign
of 1884. Not an old sore has been heal
ed, not q weak limb has been made
strong, but new sores and new weak
points have been discovered, until 1t is
in worse shape than ever before, and
though dOctored up for every ailment,
II will not endure even the first part Of
the campaign. Even its leaders are
afraid to mount their crippled steed, 50
certain are they Of its inability to carry
them through, and to-day there is not a
first-class man in the party who can be
classed as an available candidate. Those
who could get the nomination from
that party will not have it, and those
who would have 1t, the devil wouldn't
take. But il republican national poll
tics are in bad condition, how about the
states, but more especially Kansas ?
Here where the prohibition trouble
started, where the seeds were raised
that destroyed the party in 50 many
places, matters are still more favorable
for the democrats. Republican leaders
are cursing one another for allowing
the defeat Those who were instru-
mental in the re-nomintion Of Sc. John
and in having the prohibition plank in
serted In the platform have been made
desperate, from continued goading.
After the result was known In Novem-
Der these extremists might have been
won back from the error Of their ways
with kind words; but no kind words |
were offered, nothing but kicks and
cuffs. Now they say they win fight, |
and next year We may look for the most |
extreme measures. The legislature |
came along and had the opportunity of |
doing enough good to make the people |
pleased with their Representatives; but |
the opportunity was entirely lost. Re