The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-01
The South and Democracy.


Those who are in the habit Of think.
ing for themselves will consider il
neither edifying nor assuring to look at
the prevailing phases of the canvass for
Presidential cand dates for next Novem-
Der. 1t is a matter in which high quail
fications are but little sought, while adj
vantages in candidates seem to be the
ruling consideration. 1t is no longer
who is the best fitted and most worthy
statesman, but whose nomination will
give us the best chance to wu. just
about the last thing one hears of is any
fair consideration of the qualities OF
tried and proved ability and probitE in
craftsmanship. If it we're horse-race
the ten .ency would he no greater so far
as looking to availability is concerned,
than it is now in this question of an
election for President of the United
States. And it is none the less deplora-
bic that this state of things is not con-
fined to the Democratic party or TO e
Republican party, but it is found alike
in both parties. How certain caudi-
dates will run in certain localities, or
which candidate can furnish mos,
money or command the largest fund
for the campaign. is held as q strong
consideration in his favor. This style
of canvass is placing the country on
low plane, and the mere act of bringing
forward such men for such an office is
an affront to the intelligence and Dig
nifty of the people which should be
strongly repealed.
The only RENE ly for this state OF
things is with the people If they ara
willing to tolerate it, then there are
none but themselves to blame. There
asSlredly is great need for reform. and
the kind of reform needed is that which
will turn the bad out and put the better
in. The demand for reform is witness
to the fact that the bad are now in. 1t
is entirely throu. the corrupt infiu-
ences of the Republican party that this
state of things now exists. 1t may be
argued that the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party consider it the best polly
to flight the devil with fire." but there
is trite saying that honesty is the
best policy"
The Democratic party alone can ac-
complish this reform, for it alone is free
to do it. For nearly half century it
governed the Republic, and IN all those
years there is nothing in its history of
which to be ashamed. Its errors were
venial; its virtues the virtues of the
people it repres -nted. The Democratic
party must come back to the broad
principles which actuated it IN former
years if it hopes 10 claim the respect,
esteem and confidence of the people,
that such a great party should have.
"A government of the people, for the
people and by the people," is what is
demanded and is what should prevail.
To this end the Democratic party
should know no North, no South. no
East, nor West, but place this entire
Union upon one common level. 1t
can not afford to be sectional. 1t can
not afford to OStracise one section of the
country for fear of offending another
section by showing that consideration
to which it is Justly entitled. The
blessings of the Government, like the
dews of Heaven, should descend alike
upon all the people governed. The
party which falls short of this fails in
the performance of its duty and is IN
worthy to be sustained by the people.
In this wild hunt for Presidential
cand dates, e Their Tor the first or sec
ond place, the South is conspicuously
ignored when it comes to naming men,
as much so as the fitness and statesman
ship is disregarded That this should
be the case so far as the Republicans
are concerned, is q matter of no aston
ishment. But the South had cause to
expect different state of things from
the National Democratic marty The
war has been over for nearly twenty
years, and though the life-blood of the
National democratic party flows. in the
South. it meets with no recognition in
National conventions. If the South can
not afford superior man to other sec
tons, then let it stand on merit. 7 e
people are growing FESTIVE under this
ostracism, and the demand for recogni-
ton is increasing. They are tired with
being made cats paws, and who can
find it in their heart TO blame them?-
CO.unatmS (GG.) San.