Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-01
Is this a Free Government?


Some time ago. in several different arti-
cles. we tried TO impress upon the public
that the most important Of all the questions
TO be decided by the presidential election
of next month was as TO whether the people
bad or had not lost the power OF efecting
change Of administration ;-whether they
would or would not be allowed 10 place
The reins Of Government in the hands OF
member OF the Democratic party. or Of
member OF any party other than
the one which has for twenty-four
years grasped themy This war party
has altered the form OF our Government
from what the fathers Of the republic-the
framers oil the Federal Constitution
IT. aud turned il into grand central, con-
solidated empire. The simple habits OF the
heroes OF the revolution were reflected in
the simplicity OF the form Of Government
they adopted. "The powers not delegated
TO tie United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are re-
served 10 the States respectively, or to the
people," said the fathers. But where is
that form OF Government nowi What
powers do not Republican President OF
the United States and a Republican Con-
gross try to usurpS
Did you read in yesterdays Dispatch
the statement that the Office Of Minister TO
Ital, had been sold 10 an AsrOR for one
hundred thousand dollars! What were
your thoughts when you read that an
nouncementi You must have thought 1t
could not possibly be true. Perhaps no
formal contract has been signed, sealed.
and delivered. but there is no reason what
ever for doubling that the Republicans
want to spend bali-milion Of dollars in
Ohio. nor that they will resort TO any sort
OF means to secure that sum Of money. Is
there any sort OF trading 10 which the au-
thor Of the MULLIGAN letters would not will
ineiy be a party' Is there any price that
could be paid in patronage which he would
not gladly promise TO pay il thereby he
could save himself from defeat on the 4th
day OF Novembery Is there any office
which would be in his gift as President OF
the United States that he would not make
haste to confer upon BRADY, DORSEY, or
any other Of the star-route thieves il there
by he could keep from being opened the
the yillainits that have been committed by
his party through IFS agents in office, du- |
ring the last twonty-four years!
Was not Indiana carried in October, |
1850, by the use OF large sums Of money:
Was not the presidency Of the United
States bought when Indiana's vote was
bought! Was not that vote bought with
the peoples own money! Was it not
money that had been paid out to star
Nieyes. nominally for services rendered TO
the Government but really to perpetuate |
the rule of the Republican party?
Was not TILDES elected President OF the |
United States IN 1876? Is there man in |
The world who doubts ity Did not Gen.
eral GRANT soon afterwards order troops to |
city? Were not the peoples |
overawed, a subterfuge re. |
sorted to In order to conceal the bayOnets. |
and HAYES inaugurated President in de- |
iiance Of the wishes Of the people? Was |
not the Electoral Commission mask |
which Tyranny wore whilst TILDEN was
being kept out OF the White House by the
United States armyt
Have the people the power to dispossess |
the Republican party Of the offices OF the |
Government Can the people stand up
before the power Of money. the power OF
Office .holders, the power OF Federal deputy
msrshals, the power Of Federal supervisors
OF elections. the power OF Republican
judges, the power OF a Republican Presl-
dent OF the United States backed by Re
publican. Senate, and the power OF the
United States army? VIII Ohio be allowed
10 cast her vote IN october so as TO insure
the defeat OF the Republican nominee for
President in November!
The report of the proceedings OF the
great German meeting held in New York
city on Monday night has recalled this sub
ject to our mind. One OF the speakers said
in language most forcible
1.-THE real conflict is not between the |
Democratic party and the Republican party, |
but between the Republican party and the
republic. The real question is not whether
a change Of administration is polite. but
whether II Is possible. The real issue is not
whether you will change the Government,
but whether you can change II. The Zeal
struggle by those now in power is not to
ascertain and obey the will Of the majority.
but 10 obstruct, oppose, humbug. and
hoodwink the well.known will OF the INA
ioriiy. Shall the people control the Gov
eminent. or shall the Government control
the people."
II not that the solemn TRUTH Voters Of
Virginia, wake upl