The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-07-01
ReNouNoINo HIS PARTY.


T3l94 fF -. w t-I- etI
A DistIpg guIshed Wisconsin Democrat, Be-
comesa Rspublicaq.
phe Madison (Wis.) Journal is in re-
ceipt Of the followingiletter from Cap-
tain Hugh Lewis, in which he forsakes
the Democratic communion and unites
his fortunes with the Republican party
Captain Lewis is one-armed veteran,
who fought yaliantly through the war,
even after he was crippled, and has
always been up TO this time a promi-
nent and exceedingly active and inhu-
ential worker In Democratic circles. He
now holds well-pald position in the
veteran messenger corps of the National
House of Representatives, and, it is un-
derstood, was recently offered promo
ton, which he refused. His motives for
change are evidently, therefore. purely
Of patriotic nature and not emanat-
ing from personal considerations:
MADISON, Wis, juno TO Lie Editors: For
twenty-five years have been an active neni-
Der OF the Democratic party, doing everything
In my power TO place us candidates In control
During that considerable period ! have
marched in its PROFESSIONS, contributed and
disbursed money for us campaigns, associated
and been intimate with many of Its leaders,
and filed to the bost of my ability some of its
humble offices. 1 have studied the ways and
doings OF It's sages and counselors watched
closely It's general course-morei recently at
short range-digested and proclaimed its pro
LESSONS OF principles. and learned Its plat
Should not know the Democratic party7
think know its secret workings, its capabill-
ties, Its heart, its conscience. / also think
know its true value to the citizen, Its true
The conduct and enuncatlons Of the
| Democratic party have not always met my
| approval, aud have openly so declared, as
| occasion arose. Sometimes had misglvings
concerning the Sincerity of those who as.
sumed 70 be It's oracles and high priests; and
my faith in the ability of those whom the
| world believed TO be patriotic TO cope with
those who cared nothing for principle or
country was not always Arm. Sometimes, too,
In spite of campaign enthusiasm and the riRor
OF party ties. I found myself debating
| whether the Democratic party. with so much
Init that ], Democrat, could not indorse,
was the one TO be fully intrusted with the
control and guidance Of the destinies Of a
| nation as mighty as ours Although Hope
had these contentious with Doubt, yet the
name of Democrat sounded sweet in my. ears,
and struggled on for success. really believ-
| ing that after all victory would bring to the
! front the ablest and truest generals, the
| wisest and most conscientious statesmen OF
my party, in whose hands public affairs would
be safe, the country prosperous, the. people
Last fall the 1ong-looked-for and long
| fouRhtfor victory came. The Democracy,
chastened by many disasters was placed at
| the head OF public affairs the real trial OF its
virtues and statesmanship which had ex-
pected would wipe out all my doubts had at
| last come. Three months OF that trial are now
before us, and what a miserable record II In.
| As "a new broom always sweeps clean" so
the opening months Of the Cleveland Admin
istration must be accepted as more cautious
and conservative than any that will follow.
Yet what do we seer Instead Of broad, pro-
gressIye statesmanship; instead Of an honest,
healthy reform OF the civil service: instead of
guidance by men of ripe attachments and full
experience; instead of a olean-cut and high
toned administrative policy we have a long
series OF false pretonses, demagogy, person
allty and blunders.
We see appointed to high ofices drunkards,
social II not criminal outcasts, and partioi-
pators In election butcheries and frauds; enc
mics OF fair and free elections: enemies OF
our benefcent public-schoOl system; former
and present enemies Of the Unlon-men un-
cleansed OF treason, unrepentqnt uurecon.
structed, and with their disabilities yet upon
them. Can soldiers who left limbs on the
battlefield stand these thingsS Can they con.
such j am not of them. / want no more De
mocrRcy on my plate. fought hard 10 rel
tho present Administration In, and shall
hght still harder to get them out. They are
not the men 20 rulethe country in this day Of
enlightenment and progress.
Look al the vast system OF blackmail and
perjury inaugirated by the Postmaster G. en-
eral We're aifdavits for political purposes
against fr ends and nelRhbors, ever heard oi
beforcr Were men ever before libeled ant
snndered at wholesale by agents OF the Gov
ernmenn Was there ever time when s6
many disreputabie appointments had to be re
versed 10 satisfy public opiuion7 Was there
ever before time when II was a poltlca
crime for man TO attend n caucus and vote
or speak his party conyictions2
mol And after the current four years
trust the present reign Of falsehood
mail will end forever.
This step OF mine is taken upon no sudder
impulse. II has been well studied well con
sidered-has been growing upon me for som'
time te
J also fully understand my humble position
j do not expect TO create political revolution
nor throw the present Administration from
tho track
After seeing the Democratic leaders places
In charge of the ship OF state have lost faitl
in even their fair-weather seamanship, and
therefore, Just as my party Is entering upoi
an era OF power and patronage take COCA
one can impugn my motives. Moro espociall.
, as shall no longer be looked upon rs an IN
dorser and defender Of those things which
can not possibly defend and lndorso. and so
shall be no bearer OF false colors, open to NJ
charge Of espionage or cowardloe.
Lot me be fully understood; am no Demo
, cratic mugwump, kicking against disappolni
, ments or fruitless oftice-seekngs; but ] an
and wish TO be considered q full.hedged Re
publican and in perfect communion with tn
Republican party-tho only party capable o
properly governing this country and fulfll
Ing the manifest destiny Of its people-th