Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-26
The Republican Party.

The Republican Party.
The people are rapidly learning some
thing Of the cost which is imposed upon
the country at large to keep the Republi
can party in shape. That party never held
power, even when it had itself connected
with the purpose of maintaining the indis-
soluble union Of the States, except by the
force of tyrannical and boss rule. 1t Ia the
party of heterogeneous elements. We say
the party, because it outstrips in those
characteristics all the factions existing in
the country claiming the relation of an
organization to pass upon questions OF
governmental policy. Examine its pro-
ceedipgs in Congress, in State legislatures
and local assembages representing its
popular strength, and boss-rule of dis
cordant elements seeking plumber and
power is the dominating motive of its
managers. The party in its normal or
party directing and sustaining by merit
popular sentiment, never did and never
will rely upon its resources as such. 1t
has no existence unconneoted with the
preference for monopiies in business inter-
ests, and on the sustaining power of money
derived from such sources by which to
force itself into authority in every contest
before the people.
The agricultural interests of the country,
which sustain more than three-fourths OF
its power at home and it's standing and
strength with the nations of the world,
have pleaded in vain for the support due
them from the government. If it COL
tributed but 1.-THE Of that which the
monopolies existing up IN their resources
have received through Republican admin
istration and legislation, evils now to be
confronted, which the wisest ard purest
craftsmanship can only avert, would have
no existence.
Reform is a distasteful word to the Re-
publican party and its managers. The ex-
tent to which the people are embracing its
teachings signalizes the coming of the
settlement of accounts, and the exhibit Of
balance sheet. A great accumulation OF
wealth by few industries at time when
agriculture, straining every nerve and
plying its wearied and worn energies fol
comfoI table existence or to save itself from
dreaded decay, are facts which cannot be
controverted. The Republican party never
did, and there is no prospect that it ever
will, care fig for the soil-producing inter
ests of the country, except as it can
reap gains for the purposes of directing
the government in the channels which sus-
tain the policy of monopolies and euriches
tie few at the cost of the many and the
toll of the people.
Reform, in the application the reflections
of the people are now giving it, has paral
lels in the past history of the country. A
large amount of good was effected by its ap
plcation then, and it is evident the people
are in state of mind now which shows
that they are only awaiting the opportunity
to enforce IFS strength with hearty good
will. The principles embodied in the re-
form now engraph:ng itself upon the pub
lie mind are comprehensive. They ara
exercised to save the rights Of the people
and tho peace of States ard communitie.
and in checking an interruptions party
ard an administration which is bent OF
putting them in peril, as well to enforce {
governmental policy which will equaliz:
its burdens and lis benefits alike to all the
people.
A minority President who holds his sea-
contrary to the expressed sense of the peo
pie in their utterances at the polls, Con
gressmen in their places from districts
formed into shape for the'purpose of sitting
majority of voters, and now turning ou'
members TO strengthen feeble majority
which seems determined to overwhelm, i
possible, the people of the South with force
bills, will give the reform which Other
considerations started on its mission or
impetus which cannot be arrested, anG
that will Danish the Republican party for
ever from the control of the country.