The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Government Of the People.


To. the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal
| have been disposed in this critical year to
look very narrowly at all the political move
ments in their relation to one grand issue which
seems to me to be shaping itself in our Ameri-
can politics, viz. Government by the people.
Since the formation Of the pro-slayery ring,
which for many years held control Of the gov
eminent, and subordinated everything to its
baFbaroas ends, there has been very powerful
element in our politics, that has assumed for
itself the title of the ruling element. It has
hung like milestone about the neck of the So
called Democratic party, and for while menacad
the Republican parity but the year 1884 has al
ready marked itself as an epoch, in this That
the people have spoken, and the leaders SO far
named in this State and in the Republican ma
tionai convention, may be truly said to bethe re-
iexsf the popular sentiment we'll understood and
clearly defined. L4atterly, the organized liquor
power has shown most dangerous and defiant
disposition to rule or ruin, both in parties
and in States, and coupled with the party auto
Gratis and the plutocrats Of the land, they have
given no small concern among the friends of
government by the people. The open defiance
of all statute law must be checked and all doubt
full constitutional provisions for government
last degree. The full authority OF government,
and its God given Prerogatiye, must be reassert-
ed and made apparent to all, or our entire sys-
tenn Of governments must drift rapidly into am
archy, which is but the prelude to monarchy.
TO one who has watched the progress of events
from this stand point, the movements of the Re
publican party, in national council and in our
own State convention, are full of most wonder
full promise. The promise Of so grand party,
that the rpeRed intelligence of q third of a cen
fury that has made more glorious history than q
thousand previous years, shall be invited TO sit
in council upon all the features Of our organic
law, is worth more to the friend Of good,
economical government, than all the
of a century, except that which preserved the
life of the nation itself The people en- masse
should feel that here, again, they have been
called to the highest duties and most sacred
privileges as citizens Of great State. 1t ought
to give the Republican party $4,000 more votes
than it has ever polled in the State. 1t is the
highest appeal TO citizen pride and honor that
can ever be made for all that is pure, honorable,
broad and philapthropie in government. In the
presence of such q voice from the people as
commanded the greatest citizen from his rc-
tirement, and called from the Senate her broad
and noble ,eitizen7soldier of two wars, to stand
FORTH and by their wisdom and EalOr give the
browning glory to our national life, by lifting
higher the national name among the nations Of
the earth, and stamping anew the spirit of free,
dom upon all other institutions he must indeed
belong to some pent-up Utica who does not feel
his heart beat with a stronger pulse as he thinks
of the patriot dead, whose blood purchased and
seHled our national institutions. 1884 is q year
for thanksgiving C. Ct. BARTHOLOMEW.
July q 1884