Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-05-21
The Republican Party doomed to defeat.
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.

THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL'
The last Valley Virginian contained a
long editorial under the caption-"Preacb-
ing and Practice"-of which Clarkson, First
Assistant Postmaster. General, was the sub
ject, in which i5 showed how he preache d
one thing and practiced another, and main
tanned that, "undel tie guidance and direc-
ton of the Ouays, the Clarksons, and the
Mahones, the Republican party would
meet inevitable and disastrous d.eteat at the
next election. The ominous handwriting
has made its appearance on the wall and
the Vnginian, says it requires no prophet
to foretell the fate of the National Republi-
can party" We copy the latter portion Of
the Virginian's article as follows
"Mr. Clarkson has, by his league with
Malone and his henchmen, not only humil'
lated and disintegrated the Republican par.
ty in Virginia, but has connived at plots
and plans which have brought the Republi-
can administration into disrepute and
paralyzed the Republican party of the coun-
try. His idea of ''loyalty," as exemplifie
in his official acts and the policy they in
every manly instinct and every virtuous
motive, as they affect party administration.
He has eschewed the influences through
which alone the Republican party can retain
the confidence of the people, and SO direct
ed the power with which he has been cloth
ed, as to make the public service badge of
dishonor and public office the price of
treachery to party and to principle"
ho, vi 70. ckon
and others who have accepted offices under
this administration
"Mr. Clarkson as a declaimer Of finished
periods and high-sounding sentiment, and
Mr.. Clarkson as the custodian of a great
public trust, are dual persons. In the one
role he may command the support and
merit the admiration of listening friends, as
he faithfully outlines and impresses Repub-
lican ideas and Republican duty. In the
other he revels in the slums of machine
politics, and courts the association of the
most reprehensible add repulsive influences
that ever poisoned and paralyzed political
organization. When he holds up the Ma
homes and the Chalmerses as the represen-
tative Republicans of the South, and lends
the power Of the government, so far as he
yields it, to entrenck them in power to
PROSTATE the party under their feet, he SIM
ply commits crime against the Republican
party not only of the South but of the Ma
tion.
1t requires no prophet to fortell the fate
of the National Republican party under the
guidance and direction of the Quays the
Clarkson and Mahones. The political cy-
clone which swept over Virginia and which
touched heavily upon Iowa, will mark its
track of desolation in Pennsylvania the
coming fall. The voters wrath that has
been invoked by the plots and schemes of
such men will not spend its fury within
State lines, or confine its rebuke to local
elections. 1t will take in the whole conn
try and demonstrate it's earnestness in crush
| ing defeat next November; Democratic
| Congress will again afflict the country aud
our vast Industrial system be paralyzsd by
the inauguration of a Free Trade Demo
cratic Administration March 4, 1898. The
party must repudiate such influences and
unload itself of such an incubus, or the
people will repudiate it, and teach lesson,
though costly, that will not soon be forgot
| ten. There must and will be an end to cor
rupt machine politics-the fateful rule OF
bossism, in high places, and the people have
fully determined on it.
| The premonitions have gone forth, and
| he who runs may read what the future has
| in store, unless the old-time Republican
| courage shall assert itself and rescue the
party from the maiign Influences that are
leading it to ruin"