Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-03
Mr.. Bayard on the Result.
THE LATE ELECTION A WHOLESOME LESSON
FOR POLITICAL PARTIES.

THE LATE ELECTION WHOLESOME LESSON
FOR POLITICAL PARTIES.
In letter expressing his regret at being
unable to take part in recent democratic
celebration in Savannah, Ca, to which he
had been invited, Hon. Thomas F. Bayard
writes:-
It is not possible for me to be with you,
but will thank you to express to my fell
low-democrats in Savannah my sincere con-
gratulations upon the unmistakable arrest
placed by the American people upon the re.
publican leaders in their headlong and in
solent march toward arbitrary power.
Such an expression of popular sentiment
reinvigorates the hope of all lovers of civil
liberty and popular self-govcrnment, and
proclaims the vitality of the democratic
principle upon which the best hopes of our
government are founded. earnestly hope
that the representatives of the party which,
q year hence, will be placed in control of
the House of Representatives,, will compre-
bend the true significance af the late cleo
ton.
( The republican party and it's policies
have been condemned, and power transfer
red to democratic hands; but it is placed
there in trust, in the confidence that it will
be exercised temperately, wisely and con-
scientiously. If it is not, it will be recall
ed.
know of no more wholesome instruction
for political parties in this country than the
constant reminder tnat they are always on
trial before the country, and at each elec-
tion must stand for judgment at the bar of
an intelligent public opinion.
Tho ronr1h1ican marty eaarnQ tn haV0 for
gotten this, and to have become bes0tted
with power and dulled to insensibility by its
long possession and consequent abuse.
Therefore they believed public conscience
was dead when it was only sleeping, and
they conceived that they could entreneh
themselves permanently in pewer by arbi-
trary statutes, and that popular disfavor
could not expel them. They have had
sudden and unexpected awakening, and l
trust their successors will gather wisdom
and instruction from their downfall.
Let US hope the democratic majority of
the next House of Representatives will not
forget the conditions upon which popular
confidence can be retained, nor underrate
their great responsibilities.
The plain duty of an American represent
tative is to base his popularity upon absolute
fidelity to his constituency, and this begins
10 that personal dignity and self-respect that
may possibly compel him to displease his
constituents, but never to mislead them.
The independent conscience of each repre-
sentative is safeguard of the greatest
value to his people. A subservient creature
can be no true friend nor Trustworthy agent
in any relation of life, public or private.
The present overthrow of the republican
party is manifestly due to the lack of per-
sonal independence in opinion and action of
it's leaders, who sinned against light, and
led their party, or suffered it to be led, to
its downfall.
Not manly or true voice was heard in
the House or in the Senate during the late
session from the republican side to warn
their party against extreme measures, or to
denounce with just indignation the destruc.
tive and unAmerican rules of Reed or his
offensive and brutal methods of administra-
ton,
There were few and faint expostulations
against some features of the Mckinley bill
among the republicans, but they were
smothered ard stifled by moral cowardice
gence. hope, indeed, that the incoming
era of democratic administration, upon the
threshold of which we are now apparently
standing, may be marked by individual in
dependence Of opinion and action, and that
the spirit of party may never be allowed to
COW the spirit of American manhood, nor
silence the voice of individual conviction.
Political parties are but agencies for pop
ular government, and men are the instru-
mentalities through which parties must
achieve their ends. Therefore, 10 the last
analysis of government, whether of party
OF nation, the personal character of the
men chosen will prove to be the safest reli-
ance of the people who trust them.
Now is the time, therefore, for the ma
tioDal democracy to send demagogues to the
rear and call able men of independent char
acter statesmen who love the people, bat
do not fear or distrust them-to the front.
With character and conscience in the lead
our onward march to a restored constitu-
tional government of co-equal States in one
mighty union of republics will be steady
and unimpeded.