The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-03-27
..ocoecTs &c REPUBLICANS.
Morally Degraded and
SUPPORT.

Norsiiy Degraded ana
support.
There are still some republicans NV.
irg who remember the great Gays VI
their party-thc days when hoes oi
philosophical and sincere men let 'he
ranks of the wings and OF the deDlo-
Gratis TO found new organizatitn de-
voted 70 high moral and political IN ulS,
under the leadership OF statesmen 90
eminent character, commanding abliity' ,
und the courage of sincere convictions.
The contrast between the spirit and con-
dition OF the republican party in those
days and its present plight calls forth
melancholy reflections. The time Tor
its national convention Is approaching
The original anti-slavery mission OF the
republican party has long been fulfilled
ind new problems Of great importance
crc pressing for solution. The repub-
lican party still pretcnds that IL con-
Trims in It's ranks the best OF popular
intelligence and virtue. 1t claims pub
lie confidence and support on the
ground that by this superior intelligence
md virtue it is best fitted to solve the
great problems before us. What these
problems are every candid observer
knows. The business community OF the
country admits that the tariff is 10
longer one of them. While some selfish
interests still clamor for higher protec-
ton, the business world nt large Is
known to be on the whole satisfied, Tor
The time being NJ least, with the taTlll
as 1t stands, and wishes itsubstan1ally
TO be let alone. This is so true that even
many of the old protcctionists hesitate
to touch it. They are well aware ina
! what prevents the revival OF prosperity
: Is not the low tariff, but the currcnc.
disorder. The questions really ana ur
. gently demanding the attention OF IN
l. country are those of the currency, am
Of administrative reform by the aboii
$ ton of the spoils system.
- If the republican party were sti
&c what 1t once was, its leading men woul
- recognize it as their obvious duty I
Z come forward and boldly TO expires
=, their sincere convictions on these sui
:" iects. They would seek by every legi
~ innate means to summon to action ana
~ organize the supporters OF these OPP
. ions within their party, TO the end
securing from the national conventC
On a clear and strong approval of thel
(" and the nomination OF candidat
en- known to be in accord with them. y
70 convention would thus become, as I
go early republican conventions WERE
er truly representative body of honest
or liens intent upon serving the pub
',h interest by making certain polio
10 prevail through party effort. WI
" do we behold? a large number OF
'er leading men of the republican par
among them some of the most pow
ne full, are open advocates of the spo
ne system with all its demoralizing ehee
Vi and even of those who Occasional
rs' express their disapproval OF II. 2
inc have a good word for reform, but !
hE are courageous enough to advoc
ieu reform with aggressive emphasis.
fact. in most states the regular orga
III cation Of the republican party IS r.
ing ing upon the spoils principle ana
&c" together by spoils methods. And ~
'he IL no prominent republican leader
0n least no prospective candidate ior
presidency, who openly demands
fidelity to civil service Ieloi IA y -
'ne one of the cardinal tests of republic
ing ism. Almost all of them are willins
heu let the boys" understand that u
,mo republicans win. the loavcs ana us
III Of party spoil will go to them as M
the as possible in the old fashion.
~ Never since the close of the civil
~ ~, has the republican party had
:. opportunity to render great servic
'sy the American people by taking IN
the problems of the day honestly
ne fearlessly. Never has it had q be
chance to win the support OF u
~ citizens whose political action Is
'Nen tcrmined rather by their sense OF
~ lie duty than by party spirit.
',nR never has it appeared in so reruisl
mn, state Of moral degradation and so
"'iu worthy of that support. Some
IL " oro IL seemed impossible that INC
.,,... publican party should he Geiea'c
'u'n the coming presidential election
iun seems impossible no longer.-l-es
Weekly.