Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-12-01
PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYsELF."

In feSreCful, even penltentlal. MOOD,
somewhat mellowed by the soundest of
drubbings as recently administered by
national Democracy the echoes of whose
huzzas are but just dying away, we are
quite ready to admit, that the Republican
party has only itself to blame for it's de-
feat, that it has ''done those things
which it ought not to have DONE" that
it has paltered and truckled where it
should have been firm, and failed to give
to the people those things which they
had good right to expect. So much by
way of confession and without admitting
that the people will find themselves
very much better satisfied with the new
regime-which is another story.
In such a mood, criticism and advice
are generally welcomed by the fair
minded. Passing the hard point of con-
fession, the average man will listen to
good counsel, to admonition, to even
harsh criticism. He may not follow the
one, and he may throw off the other, but
he will listen to and consider the opinions
given, recognizing the underlying good
intent of the censor. This attribute of
man will be largely termed sshindsight.'
and it will be bitterly deplored that such
uncommonly good sense is fruit which
ripens SO slowly. Yet it seems to be
well establishe ''way of the world"
Here is something sensible along that
line from the New York Recorder, and
while it applies particularly to the mu-
nicipal politics of New York city, it
might very we'll point the way to Re-
publicans everywhere:
The agitation now going on in the Republican
organizations of this city for hange of men
and change Of rules and methods is healthy
sign. 1t proves that although the party is beaten
1t is not discouraged or discounted and means
to fight the battle over again the first opportunity
This is the right American spirit. If the charge
be true that the rules governing the admission of
voters to the district organizations are in many
cases so stringent as to drive men away, the
sooner they are altered the better. The growth
of the Republican party must be encouraged in
every way possible, and the barriers erected by
selfish personal machines must be thrown down.
In the future we must all work for measures, not
men; great principles. not personal ambitions,
must be advocated and advanced. Above all,
the young men must be admitted into the party,
and front seats reserved for them, too. The
Recorder, In the organization of its brigade of
first voters, has shown what can be done in this
direction. We must have an infusion of new
blood everywhere, and the sooner the better.
Make way for the young Republicans. Let
them have chance to show what they can do.
We believe in such sentiments. The
Republican party, perhaps naturally by
reason Of continued power, has allowed
itself to be dominated by men who, in
the pursuit of personal ends too: readily
lost sight of the principles which made
it great, and it has been sharply called
down by the people. We believe, to-day,
that it is the better of the two great par
ties, but it has lost the confidence of the |
people, and must set about regainiDg it.
Is there any straighter way to such con-
fidence than back along the same path
which it has come since Lincoln's time
ignorance, prejudice, section
alism, and all adverse handicaps, it is
yet possible to regain lost ground, and
forge ahead. But measures, not men,
must be supreme.
Coming to our own state, the Repub-
lican party is warned and admonished |
by few papers, notably the st. Johns
bury Republican. This paper has advice
in about the same proportion that Mr.
Cleveland is credited with "luck." 1t |
has dead loads of ito sell, to give
away, to force upon public attention. In
almost every issue may be seen by sterical
calls upon the "youpg men - to assert
the old men to get out; all
hands to smash the ring etc. Here
IS sample:
"Give the old FOUNDERS a rest, and let the
Toung men have chance. By the way, would it
'e bad idea for the young Republicans of Yer
mont to pull themselves together and break the
late In ls9I?"
1t is pleasant to note the earnestness
With which the Republican wages its war
against the /" old uns." The writer is q