Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-20
Political Issues Before the Country.

AS the Presidential election approaches it
is most important to understand the actual
issues involved, which the people have to
decide. A comprehensive and accurate
view of them grows in interest and impor-
lance.
First. The first question which arises is
whether the welfare and best interests OF
the country do not require change of par
ty in power. When one party is continued
in power too long it becomes corrupt, ar
rogant and wanton in abuse and evil prac-
tees, in the public service, and regardless
of the rights and interests of the people
The history of all governments shows this.
Let the books of the Government be looked
into by a new set of men. Let abuses and
frauds be exposed and corrected. If the
party that comes into power does not do
right and prove faithful it will doubtless be
turned out at the end of four years. Let us
have change. The present party has been
already too long in power. Twenty-four
years is too long for one set of men to con-
troll the power and affairs of the people I'M
less our Government is to be changed and
offices are to be for life, ard one dynasty Of
| men is to be made perpetual without change
or reform. If the people are capable of pre-
serving their free institutions and maintain
in, their liberties and their rights they will
demand change. Let the change come;
let it be tried for time at least. Wisdom,
good sense, and common honesty on the
part Of people, as well as fidelity to them
selves and their country, require it. This is
the first issue.
Second. Are the abuse and evil practices
of the party in power to be approved and
sanctioned by the people? The star-route
] Sxuindln anG tho or ia trio off nd tho
most recent practical demonstrations of the
necessity of a change. But this is but one
of thousand Of such things. This happen
ed to crop out from intestine variances in
the party, like the sale of trading stations
by Belknap as Secretary of War; the whis
key ring frauds, the Credit Mobilier bribery
and swindle. But hundreds of others doubt
less exist which have not been brought be-
fore the gaze of the world. Reform and a
change of party are imperatively demanded.
Third. Every department of the Govern
ment has deteriorated and become corrupt
cd by the long continuance of this party in
power. Even the Supreme Court of the
United States has become so far partisaniz
ed as to declare in a recent decision that the
standard of value of the commercial world
is not by our Constitution made the basis of
our money system. This sweeps away at
once the foundation of our financial system
and of the credit and character of our Gov
eminent at home and abroad, and subjects
the country hereafter to the deplorable evils
of an irredeemable paper-money system.
Fourth. The rights and interests of the
citizens of the United States are not protect
ed against foreign nations. The State de-
partment is filled with complaints of wrongs,
depredations, and Outrages committed upon
American citizens by foreign governments,
to which no attention whatsoever is given
The foreign legations have the ear and con-
troll of the State Department under injunc-
lions of mock secrecy, and American citi-
zens are denied even a semblance of Justice
in an appeal for protection against wrongs
, and depredations from foreign nations. And
: the most solemn adjudications on full hear
S ing Ofsboth parties, under treaties in favor
t of American citizens against foreign govern
+ ments, are repudiated and set aside upon
Q mere ex parte and irresponsible statements
made in secrecy by the emissaries of the
' foreign powers. Fair and impartial justice
r to American citizens against foreign powers
: now requires change of men in power.
Fifth. The party in power has with reck-
e less extravaganza increased the net ordinary
i annual expenses of the Government from
v about sixty million dollars in 1860, the last
: year of a Democratic administration, to
: near three hundred millions year, togeth-
!, er with collection from the people of over
e a hundred million dollars more than is need
y ed to pay the public expenditures.
= Sixth. The chief enc and aim of the par
9 ty in power is to enlarge the operations and
n expenditures of the Federal Government, in
d order to centraliZe all power in it, and wholly
/ absorb the powers Of the States, and reduce
+ them to the condition Of Mere subordinate
departments Register