River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-08-09
AN OPEN EPISTLE,
Concerning Certain Political Problems
of the Day.

the assertions and statements made in
this connection, seemed to your listen
ers-you will recall that this occurred
in a public place-to be deficient in
the desirable qualities of reasonable
| ness and probability, to say nothing
of the fact that there was no attempt
To adduce proof; moreover, during
/ the conversation when we'll known
facts were commented on, the interlo-
cutors eviuced disposition to mis-.
state and d stOrt, to a degree that was
quite perturbating to at least one of
your audience. AS however no proper
opportunity presented then for re-
questing some explanation or proof
of the dubitable statements, have
awaited myself of the courtesy of the
JOURNAL To recall TO your mind some
of the points referred to, and in con
nection Herewith to indicate some of
the doubts or objections presenting to
my mind while listening to the dis
cussion. | may say however that
have since seen or heard statements
somewhat similar in character, so that
infer that these were not altogether
original with Mr.. Cuprum and your
self.
First then, confess to considerable
surprise TO hear you assert in man
ner that seemed to defy contradiction,
that at the time of the last presiden-
tial election, the Republican party was
more corrupt, than any heretofore
existing in this country. This sur
prise was heightened by my knowledge
that almost up to the time mentioned
you were in active cooperation with
that party, supporting its men and
measures, and yourself holding office
by its favor. | was also aware that
then and now most of the members of
your family, of the church of which
you are an officer, and of the neigh
bors whom you like and trust, were,
and are part and parcel of that corrupt
party. For here you, in common with
great many others, appear to lose
sight of the fact that there is no such
entity as party separate and distinct
from its membership, and such wild
or malicious charge necessarily in
cludes all those referred to. Surely
lit is an i'll bird that soils its own
nest" But there need not have been
any limit of time, for assuredly the
party is no better to-day than it was
four years ago,-unless by the elimina-
ton of a few thousand voters, a
small number of which have gone
with Cuprum tho most of them with
you.
And | am here reminded of another
curious thing referred to by you, and
which you would doubtless be pleased
to elucidate.
1t appears that the alleged temper
ance sentiment in the Republican
party, with all its utterances on this
question, in conventions, by its speak
ers, everywhere, is all CANNON, simu-
lated, hypocritical, demagOgical, and
likewise the legislation, embracing as
it does constitutional prohibition in
several states, with stringent re-
strictiye statutes in others, is all a
sham, passed in the interest, and by
the aid of the liquor sellers. Now
that is bad state of things but not so
bad but it might be worse. See,-you
and | know that the third party IS at
present almost entirely made up of
perverts from the Republican party.
You also are aware that before your
party can attain the goal of its ambi-
tion-the control of the government
it must receive immense accessiOns
from some source; that where it now
has thousands it must have millions,
thus 20 carry the election of '92 not
less than 100000. Seven millionsll
and from whencel Well may you
after cleaning, 10 these many years,
over the fields of political corruption,
only 20 gather a few handfuls of the
precious grain, ask in mournful ac.
cents, where is the harvest-tield from
whence we are TO fill our barns with
golden sheaves! and well may echo OF
any other fellow answer wharf But
mirabile dictul the problem is solved;
| that huge wave, before which your
present little organization would be
as an ant hill before an Atlantic
breaker. this seething, surging mass
of corruption, hypocrisy, and saloon
| ism called the Republican party, this
is TO sweep down on your select
choice little coterie of saints, bearing
them aloft on its crest, high and dry
into the fat places they have been
yearning for; all clean, unspecked
uncOutaminated, with virtue intact
and undimmed Notwithstanding theiI
contact with, in fact being well mixed
up with the pitch that defiles-all but
them; still we can but tremble at the
risk incurred in such an experiment.
And then again, Deacon, Inightn'
something else bappenl is it not posi-
BILE that this horrible, putrescent
bloody shirt. robber tariff, free
whiskey, d-forsaken, Deyil-bOught
party, as it rolled on in its course,
might instead of bearing your little
party into its desired haven, over
whelm and engulf it Leaving not Sc
much as a grease spot to mark its un
timely gravel Woes mel woes me
that it should end thus.
II fear, Deacon, that horror at youI
situation has caused me to mix my
metaphors badly-to say nothing OF
my grammar, but I'll get there all the
same And now Deacon believe me,
it isn't safe to monkey with the Re
publicans too much; try the Demo
Gratis whom you love much better, and
l x..h,a ara ax-iaautlv ruueh mora in avua