The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-11-04

five infamy, and the presidents good
friends from Pennsylvania, John Wan
amaker and Matt Quay, might read
the after portion of Judge Gresham's
address with interest if not with profit.
"Men who contribute money to buy
votes and to bribe the peoples repre-
sentutives, as we'll as those who dis
burse it, are deadly enemies to the re-
public. Their greed and love of power
are greater than their love of country.
They impair popular respect for law,
which is the only safeguard for life
and property; and it will be an evil day
for the nation when its preservation
depends upon their patriotism and
courage. They may masquerade in
the garb of righteousness and address
the people in the language of patriot
ism, but their virtues are assumed:
they are hypocrites and assassins of
liberty and would welcome a dynasty
rather than shed their blood in defense
of popular government Their shame
less and insidious attacks on free in
stitutions are infinitely more dangerous
than the revolutionary teachings and
practices of q comparatively few Wis
ionary and misguided men and women
in our large cities"
These are words that ought to sink
deep into the heart of any political sim
ner capable of repentance But will
it be possible for the Pennsylvania
and Indiana boodlers and managers of
the republican party, the fatfriers, and
the blocks of-five rascals to hear and
heed? President Harrison has little to
learn about Grant from Judge Gres-
ham or any other orator. But if he
will ponder on what Judge Gresham
calls the "baleful influences and
practices which lower our national
standard and, unchecked, threaten dis
aster" he may discover that when he
rewarded a campaign money-getter
with cabinet place he set a premium
upon baleful practice and lowered
the standard of our national honor and
of public life in the republic. Judge
Gresham is essentially democrat. It
would not be possible for other than a
democrat to give utterance honestly to
the remark:
1t is not such men as these, but the great
multitude, engaged in active and hardy pur-
suits, who constitute the real strength OF the
nation. They are not enemies Oh law and
order; they do not envy or hate those who have
acquired property by honest methods; they
bear their full share Of the public burdens, and
so long rs the powers OF the nation are not
perverted to their injury for the enrichment OF
few they will rally to its defense with un
selfish and devoted patriotism. Their energy
and courage have not been deadened by ease
and luxury There can be no prosperity with
out public tranquility, and the people will not
long remain tranquil under a well,founded be.
lief that the corrupt use Of money prevents
free and honest expression Of their choice Of
men and measures. If public opinion cannot
be honestly expressed in authorized ways our
elections wilt become expensive and useless
mockeries, and free government will exist
only in name. Let us not be deceived by
mere forms. Radical changes in government
may be effected without perceptible change In
the mode of administration Some of the
worst tyrapniss the worldha ever known were
maintained under popular forms.
The president of the United States
would do well to read the Grafton
which he perfunctorily commended in
advance of Its delivery. 1t touches
him and his party nearly. 1t was not
for the orator to turn Nathan, but
reading Judge Gresham's condemna-
ton of bribery at elections, and recur-
ring, as every one having knowledge
of the shameless corruption practiced
by the republican agencies in 1883
must rssas, to that period Of lsw!sas'