Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-22

met. Upon the evidence already pro-
duced we believe him guilty, and we
know that many of his prominent
| supporters share our belief. Their
declarations before his nomination.
their silence or their guarded Ian.
guage in public addresses since, are
conclusive evidence of this. He is
convicted by his own statements of
deliberate falsehood on the most sol
emn occasions. The men who in the
past have disgrsced the republican
party are united in his support, and
are admitted to a controlling influence
IN the conduct of his campaign, while.
OF the honest men who are Joined to
these, the leaders are largely either
holders of or candidates for public of
fee, who urge their fellow citizens to
follow them more to preserve the par
ty than because they approve its chief.
In fine, the republican party has to-
day no policy which it dares to avow,
and leader whom it cannot defend.
At this very moment it forms an
alliance III West Virginia with the
advocates of dishonest money; in
New Hampshire, leading organ re
pudiates civil service reform; in Wash
ington, political assessments are at
tempted under a thin disguise. 1t is
idle To hope thai with such leader
ship, the abuses of the past can be
corrected or the party reformed. I'm
der the influences which NOW domi-
nate its councils, the tendency must
be downward; and there is no clearer
proof that this tendency exists than
the fact that honest men are found
ready to tolerate and excuse offences
which few years ago would have
msde the offender infamous. We see
in increasing fidelity 10 party great
dangers 20 our government, and it is
an omen of disaster when this fidelity
leads men of character and position
to throw their influence in favor of
dishonesty, and to mislead their fell
low citizens by misrepresentlng the
facts and abSCuriug the issue. The
fascina ZION of the name Republican"
has made men blind 10 offences which
otherwise they would condemn. II
is our imperative duty, therefore, 10
disregard the appeals to party spirit,
which, Ia the language of Washing
ton, 1t is the interest and duty of a
wise people to discourage and re-
strain, and to consider how best we
can stay the progress of corruption i'll
the government of our country.
Leaving to congress the great qucS-
tions of policy, which mus. be ques-
tons of legislation, and ressrving the
right to vote in congressional cleo
tlons for such men as represent our
opinion on these questions; intending
IN the state TO vote IN the future as we
have in the paSt-we see in the preSi-
dental contest simple issue. Our
platform is the single principle that
none but men of improved integrity
should be supported for public office,
and that the use of official power for
personal ends is a breach of trust
which should disqualify for the pub
lie service those who are guilty OF il.
A party nomination which violates
this principle must not only forfeit
our support, but incur our answerv
ing opposition.
BY the nomination of James G.
Blaine the republican party has
thrown down the gauntlet of corrupt
and partisan government. The dem
ocratlc party answers the challenEe.
Its candidate is the acknowledged
champion of reform and political hon
esty. The Issue is thus joined The
leaders are representative men, the
foremost of their kind; and we cannot
for an instant hesitate in our choice
or doubt what the truo interests OF
our country demand. We do: ally
ourselves with the democratic party,
still less sanction or approve lis past,
but its present candidate has shown
his fidelity TO the principles we avow.
and in the coming election he com
mands and will receive our support.
For these reasons we u &c all our
fellow citizens to unite wit / us in our
effort to secure the election of Cover
nor Cleveland, and to organize in
their respective neighborhoods, that
the vote of Massachusetts may be
given in November for honest govern
ment.
GEORGE FRED. WILLIAMS,
Chairman.
MDCI-,, lNITYI.,Tc Co,,ato.r