Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-08-15
THE GREAT ISSUE.


THE GREAT ISSUE.
The Republican party, with character
istic cunning, is endeavorlng with might
and main to blind the eyes of the people to
the true issue involved in this Presiden-
tial campaign. Under the false and spe-
cicus cry that the Democratic party, if
successful, will bring want and ruin upon
the country, it is posing befose the nation
as the guardian angel of its prosperity and
financial safety.
None know better than the leaders of
the Republican party that reform is the
great, overshadowing issue in this can
vass. They know that if the fraud
and corruption, the venality and extra
vagance of their party, is exposed, the en-
tire country, North. South. East and
West, will rise as one man and sweep from
power the party that has permitted
such abuses TO grow up and flourish in
its administration of the government.
Hence the efforts Of its leaders to raise
minor and collateral issues, hoping there
by to once more fasten the fangs of cor
ruption upon the public treasury.
We know that nothing is more common
in heated political canvasses than for op-
posing parties to charge each other with
being the embodiment of all vice; and
many good men. remembering the cam
palgn lies and scandals that have proved
to be false, may hesitate in this campaign
to give credence to the exposures Of Re
publican rascalities that are every day
brought to light. To all such men. who
are hesitetiss how their votes should be
oasv, honestly desiring to aid that party
which will give the country the purest ad-
ministration, we say. examine the record
for yourselves.
Go back to the beginning of Grants
first administration and look into the
doings of his party to the present day,
and then if you are not convinced of its
total depravity your eyes must be forever
blinded to the light of truth and honesty.
The first exposure of Republican dishon-
esty was the Credit Mobllier scandal,
which besmirched the character of more
than one leader in 1.-THE party of progress"
and revealed a state of affairs in Washing
ton truly astounding. Then came in
swift succession the Belknap frauds and
the whiskey ring exposures, which proved
beyond all doubt that the Republican
party was corrupt to the Utmost core.
High and trusted officers of the govern
ment were proved in all these cases to
have prostituted their positions to de-
fraud the government which they were
paid to serve; and Grant, who never for
got friend, defrauded justice of its dues
by parGoning the few who we're convicted
before the prison doors had closed upon
full history of Republican shortcomings
in an editorial of reasonable length.
The steals in the Navy Depar tment, the
exploits of the Star route thieves, would
fill a volume. And in the light of these
prouea facts, what is best to be done-en
trust the plrty That has psrpetrated these
crimes again with power, or place the par
ty that alone has the aoiU and courage to
correct the evils in possession of the gov
ernment? We think the Judgment of
every honest, unprejudlced man will an
swer in favor of the Democratic party.
AS was well said by one of the ablest
Democrats in the State, who spoke here
few weeks ago, the Republican party has
not the courage to remedy the ills brought
on by its Observation-Disclosures of the gov
I,;,,
to the light of day the acts done under
cover of office and power. To do SO would
bring shame and disgrace Upon many
whose names are honored and respected
among Republicans. The cancerous sores
have poisoned the whole body, and the
surgeons knife would do no good. The
Republicans themselves see the necessity
Of reform, and promise it in their plat
form, but the people have long since
learned that their promises are not to be
relied on.
They breathe them to the ear, but
break them to the hope. However, there
is remedy for every disease panacea
for every ill. If the American people
wish to restore this government to the
simplicity and integrity of its better days.
the way is plain-let them elect Cleve-
land and Hendricks. AS Governor of
New York Cleveland has shown himself
to be absolutely incorruptible. No stain
or stigma rests upon his administration.
Honest and fearless in office. he has la
bored without ceasi1g in reforming the
abuses found to exist, sparing neither
friend nor foe IN the work.
All the opposition he has aroused is
due to the fact that he was fearless enough
to do his whole duty as governor of
great State. The Democratic party is
pledged to reform and will keep it's prom
ises. If the people entrust it with power,
brighter era will dawn upon this nation;
with all the rascals turned out, with the
cleansing OF tho vampires, who now prey
On the substance of the people, from every
department.. we may expect our great
republic to take new lease of life and
soon attain degree Of prosperity never
before known in its history.
THE VALLEY MEMBER OF THE
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