Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-13

Tor this act, Tor Il Il pointed out thst this
nomination II not solitary instance Of per-
vcrtcd judgment, hut that, on the contrary,
Il b merely the elimination OF long series
Of defects that have sAnpcd the party OF
moral strength and honestv OF purpose.
when party abuses led TO the withdrawal
OF Greeley, Sumner, aud others. Il was
asserted that reform within the par
" lines was possible, and tie nom-
inaticn. eight years ago, OF M:
Hayes was the outcome Of an effort
IN this direction. II Il hardly. neces-
sary TO recount the causes thai lea to me
failure Of this attempt but no one VIII
deny that the attempt has failed, ana that
the Republican party IL to-day, In the pro-
mise of good government that h holds out,
less TO be dcpeuded upon thin II ever has
been since II was first organized. II has
placed in positions OF trust men OF discre-
dited reputation. and has sneered at those
OF its members who counseilcd the selection
Of honest officials. II has, IN word, done
ali that party could do to ALLEVIATE those
who care more for public honor than party
,uccsss. FOR this reason we hold-aDdwe
arc glad 10 see that the Independents have
adopted the same tone-that Mr.. Blaine
should not be singled out and made the
seapegoat OF public indignation; but that
the parry. Of which bis nomination is the
perfect fruit Of past misdeeds, should re-
ccive The condemnation that IL deserves.
Can any one now be so blind to the sad
teachings Of experience as TO suppose that
reform within tho party lines Is possible
until political defeat has relegated TO de-
served obscurily the constituencies adyen-
turcrs who now control the party machin-
cry! No one supposes that Senator Hoar,
Mr.. Long, and others OF that class, are
political rascals, but how much influence
have these men In controlling the destinies
OF the party? The mere whisper Of
"Steye" Elkins and other individuals OF
bis Tx has more weight IN the party coun-
ellis thin the combined voice OF all OF our
prominent Massachusetts Republicans.
when these gentlemen pirate about reform.
they may be asked why they do not show
the influence they possess In putting stop
10 the violation OF the spirit OF the civil
service law that is now going on at Wash
ington in the assessments that are being
levied upon Federal ofhce-ho!ders. II they
were bold enough 10 speak their minds,
they would say that they did not protest
because they knew their protest would do
no good; that is TO say, that the real power
hands, and that those who possess it have
but slight regard for any disinterested
pledges that the party may have made.
This gives the situation in nutshell.
Mr.. BLAINE is the Republican party, and
the Republican party is Mr.. BLAINE. 1t
follows, therefore, that the Independents
cannot take any other position than that
taken by the Herald without stultifylng
themselves. They have declared against
corruption, and corruption nominated
Mr.. BLAINE. II the Independents would
merit the confidence Of the people
and constitute factor in making
reform permanent, their fight must be
not only against Mr.. BLAINE, bu. against
the Republican party as at present
organized as well. II they would exert a
health.ul influence upon the canvass and
upon the future of parties; if they truly
desire TO rise to the level Of their patriotic
professions, they must strike at the root OF
the evil, ard not be content with destroy
ing the fruit of q SEASON.