The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-02-02

LIE uoiedl OI beneTdl bragg Is one OF
these political crimes so frequently COM
mitted by representatives of the people |
and which bring disaster to the party /
whose welfare should govern their action 1
We won a great victory last fall through |
pledges to institute reforms which the |
people demanded, and the very first act OF
our representatives was to hug the abuse |
which was so emphatlcally condemned by
the election which gave them authority
to act. There was no mistakng the
choice of the people for Z. S. Senator.
Their wishes were not expressed with
whispered humbleness" but urged with
the perseverance of settled purpose, and
the vehemence of indignant feeling at the
bare prospe CT of their being disregarded.
So earnest was their wish that their old
cmeftain should be honored, that they
pleaded with those whose obedience they
should command, and begged as favor
what they had every reason to demand
as a right. The creator on Bonded knee
before the creature, and spurnedl That
is the first spectacle given US of the man
ner in which pledges are redeemed.
4 certain man in the long ago had fall
en- among thieves and was robbed and Sc
vereIy beaten and left by the roadside.
Soon bis sores were covered with flies and
his sufferings thereby greatly increased.
A traveller passed by and the only assis-
lance he offered the man IN distress was
to brush away the flies, but the wounded
man begged him to desist. These flies
have had their fill" he SAID Should
you drive them off their places will be
taken by othe: hungry flies and my suffer
ings will be increased"
Let no man misunderstood the demo-
cratic party of Wisconsin because it has
been mlsrepresented thus grossly in this
initial step, by those in whom it trusted.
That party has no stain of hypocrisy upon
It's conscience, but is as intent upon car
rying out the work to which it has adj
dressed itself as if it had been more for
tunate in the selection of its agents.
They have proved false-"what private
grefs they had, that made them
do it, alas, we know not" But the
rank and file of the party are true to the
pledges which the party gave, and on
which success was won. On a popular
vote to-day 80 per cent. of, the democrats
Of the state would give their voice for
General Bragg for the United States SEN
ate. They still believe that wealth should
not overshadow every other condition in
determining the qualifications of United
States senator. They 90 not accept sub
servlency to the dictation of Senator Vi
las as democratic doctrine, or the efful-
gence of golden ducats as the light which
reveals the path of duty. The democrats
of the state are for the time helpless but
not hopeless, though they have been de-
ceived and betrayed and are placed in the
morally pltlful attitude of preferring the
flesh pots to principle. Their conscience
is unseared by the turpitude of those
who yielded to temptation and basked in
the sunny smile of corruptlng power or
ate greedily of the golden mama shower
ed from the political heavens. Yes,
thank God, the people are still the source
of power. The peoples will may be
the winds will" but the thoughts OF
wrong done them are '.long, long
thoughts"
We will have much to endure in ridi-
cule at having our colors lowered without
even the formality of hostile demonstra-
ton by way of introducing performance
to promise; we will lose many supporters
because We have transgressed as deeply
on the instant as did those whom we had
driven from the temple, after years of IN
diligence in corrupt practices had weak
ened the moral fiber; we have earned con-
tempt by displaying ingratitude and Gift
ing up our voices in servie shouts at
sight" of those who accepted power at
our hands that it may be used to thwart
the consummation OF worthy purpose;
we have put ourselves IN the Illuminating
position of winning victory, and with
good intentions perverting, what might
be benehcent results, into a medium of
barter for the political advancement of
few; IN appearance, after emancipating
ourselves from the slavery of organized
wealth, we placldly put on the gives of
vassalage toa new potentate, not more
scrupulous, scarcely less insistent IN de-
handing subsidy in the shape of acquies-
cence in what he might choose to dictate
politically.
All this We have now to contend with.
But we have the advantage of thorough
understanding of all the circumstances
attendant upon our condition and realize
the danger of leadership which is narrow
and self-seeking, domineering and OBJ |
truslve. The rank and file of the demo- |
cracy OF this state are true to their prin- |
ciples and will assert themselves when
the proper time comes.
Nothing derogatory can be SAID of Col. !
Mitchell, the senator elect. He had a per-
feet right to be a candidate for the posi-
ton, and 1t is probable he used no means
which are not common in such contests.
He is multi millionaire but he has none
OF the arrogance of wealth and Is a plain
man, liked by every one of
his acquaintance for his good qualities.
He IS generous to all and true to his
friends. His reco-d as congressman is
and his election to the Z.
). senate brought to him with 1t sincere
sorrow at the defeat of his rival, Gen. Bragg
But with all his good qualities he was not
the peoples choice. and his candidacy
would not be dreamed of If it was not for
Dis wealth lhat uac ,,it.ol ..-a:.... |