The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-10-13
WHAT 1T MEANS.
Richmond Times.1

The abandonment Of the Republi
can party by such men as Judge
Gresham, Judge Cooley and Wayne
MaCVeagh has significance.
These are not mere politicians
actuated by motives of seltinterest OF
ambition. They are not ignorant
they are not tickle; they are not cor.
rupt; they are not soured.
Why then do they leave the party
of which they have been members and
leaders tor generatlon?
1t is because the party itself is
changed in character, purpose and
practice.
The purposes it was organized to &C
complish, and which at the time ap-
pealed to the patriotism and conscience
of such men, are substantially accom-
plished. This they recognize, and
doubtless each of them is proud of his
share in aiding the results.
But the party has now become the
instrument Of selfish classes to serve
their selfshness. 1t despises the broad
and safe principles of constitutional
right, esteems power and privilege
above duty and responsibility, and has
contracted itself to conspiracy OF
plutocracy and corruption for service
in defrauding, expressing and debauch-
ing the people.
1t has relieved the rich Of taxation
upon their wealth, while it burdens
the poor with taxes upon the neces-
saries of life and the tools of their
labor that are heavier than those
imposed in time of war and heavier
than are required for the support of
the Government.
These burdens are not imposed for
the purpose of supporting the Govern
ment, but for the purpose Of putting
more money into the Golfers Of the
already rich,
The natural, the logical, the inevita :
bic, the actual result of this perversion
of power is not only the greater
poverty OF the poor and the creation
of a vulgar aristocracy of wealth, but
the subversion of the principle of
equality in rights and privileges, the
corruption of the national life and the
debasement of public morality.
Seeing this and rightly dreading it,
patriotic men everywhere are publicly
Withdrawing from a debauched party
lest they may seem to countenance its
iniqu;ty.
Mr.. MacVeagh, after reviewing the
economic aspects of Republican pro-
lection, SO called, says:
But the economic evils. however
great, of the Mckinley bill, and the
unreasonable system of protection it
represents. are Of far less Importance
to my mind than the moral evils which
follow in their wake. While
such system cndures political cor
ruption is absolutely sure to increase,
as such system not only invites but
it requires the corrupt use Of money
both at the polls and in Congress.
living " liio JuuiS!di oiliNG, lbNSS
Gresham has been very careful about
publicly discussing specific political
questions, bat he lately gave utterance
to these emphatic words:
| would say that the control Of cleo
tons and legislation by the corrupt
use Of money more than anything else
menaces popular government and the
public peace. If these causes are not
speedily checked the consequences are
likely to be disastrous. The most
insldious of all forms Of tyranny is that
Of plutocracy. Thoughtful men see
and admit that our cou1try is becom-
ing less and less Democratic aud more
and more plutocratc. The ambition
and self-love Of some men are SO
great that they are incapable Of loving
their country.
In these quotations may be discov-
cred the sufficient reason why these
men have felt it to be their duty to
abandon the party that is led by Harrl-
son, Wanamaker, Quay, Mckinley
Ried and Platt.