Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-03-05
The Duty of Republicans.

A few Republican newspapers
appear to be laboring under the idea
that the frantic and spiteful Cleve-
land kick against David B. Hill is
in some underlined way calculated to
promote honesty in politics, aud
therefore deserves encouragement
aud support. This idea is futile
and mistaken. 1t is one that cannot
be entertained by any observer who
is thoroughly conversant with the
history of New York politics for
the past twelve months. No posi-
bile grounds exist for supposing that
the revolt Of the friends Of Cleve-
land is entitled to the slightest re-
spect as a movement in behalf Of
honorable political methods The
facts are all the other way.
In the raid which Hill and Tam
many conducted against this State
last autumn Grover Cleveland was
an active and vociferous partner.
As a citizen of New York State the
ex-President could have been under
no misrepresentation in regard to
the character and purposes of his
allies. He knew the corruption of
Tammany; he knew the utter an
scrupulouSess Of Hill; and he did
all that was in his power to place
the scoundrely combine in absolute
power over the Empire State. Hill's
infamous theft of the State Senate
was not only condoned but openly
endorsed by the Cleveland men.
The smirch of that fragrant crime
against honest government rests as
much upon Cleveland and his
present kickers as it does upon Hill
and his villainous tools. Even the
Cleveland adoring Mugwump pa
pers are forced to admit this fact.
The emphatic protest uttered by
Harper's Weekly effectually strikes
the mask Of pretended virtue from
the faces of Cleveland and his
friends:
1t is a striking fact, however, that the first
consequence of Democratic success r. the
moustrous outrage of Hin upon free govern
ment in the theft of the Senate of the State
did not apparently distress the Cleveland wing
of the Democracy. 1t was a tremendous blow
at fundamental rights, a crime against the peO-
pie, but it was an apparent party advantage,
and not only was no emphatic Democratic pro-
test made, no Indignation meeting called and
revolt begun against the boss whose power
the election had confirmed. but he was pro-
fusey and publicly praised for his great
services to the party by at least one of the
leaders of the present revolt.
1t is not the duty of an honest
man to take sides in a fight among
thieves ever their plumber. 1t is his
duty to take vigorous measures to
defeat the projects of the rascals
and bring them to justice The
Republican party has no part nor
lot in the present Democratic
squabble. The Cleveland faction,
as we'll as the Hin faction, stands
for free trade and the prostration Of
American industry; one represents
as fully as the other the tainted and
disloval past of the Democracy: and
both were concerned in the outrage
against the rights of the voters in
yolved ia the theft Of the State Sen
ate. It's the duty Of the Republic
can press and the Republican party
to assail the Democratic party 10 all
it's factions with equal vigor. The
true line Of Republican action lies
in aggressiyely advocating and dis
seminating Republican principles;
in organizing the forces of Republt-
cauism and arouSiug the energy and
enthusiasm of its voters Ii this is
done victory in November is sure
Nee York Press.