Year: 1876

tiioi shau ever DttOTc. L DclIcVe Tue
issue in the coming campaign is the
reformation of great abuses which
have grown up under Republican ad-
ministrations, and the campaign must
result in the renewal of those things
that strengthen the Government. or a
continuance in that path which will
make Republican Government an i'm
possibility in the future.


have had an opportunity. of late
years, to observe many of the systems
which, while fatal to the existence of
our Government have received the ap-
parent approval of a majority of the
people. l believe the time has now
come when the people are conscious of
their danger, and in tend that there
shall be change and thorough re-
formation, which shall bring our
Government back to the condition it
was in when its founders handed it
over to their succeeding generation.
How shall this change come, and
what reforms are needed? If the peo-
pie believe the present condition of
affairs is safe, desirable and does not
imperil our Governmental existence,
then 1t would be unwise to change
But do they believe SO? Oh, no! From
| every portion of the land comes the
cry for help and the people are dis
tressed. Business is stagnant, Industry
paralyzed, property has shrunk in
value, and men have no confidence in
the future. There are now, more un-
happy, distressed men looking anxi-
ously to the future aud finding no hope
than at any other time in the history
of our country, In our own city and
State how is it with labor and indus
try? Is it as you would wish? Is labor
abundant and are wages high? Or has
it not been season of trial, or anx.
lety, with work scarce, wages low, and
credit strained beyond the reach of
the poor man? Are not our industrial
establishments closed, or working
with small force and enjoying no large
contracts?


Ard why is it that this condition of
affairs exists all over the country? 1t
is because there has been a recent fic.
titious, prosperity, aided and sustained
by paper money of credit. 1t caused
the people to depend upon such a
money for their prosperity. and to en-,
courage and foster feeling of hatred
and animosity towards certain sections
of our country, instead of assisting in
the general advancement of the busi-
ness interests of those sections, in
manner that would tend to enhance
our national prosperity.


| 1t Is just as reasonable to suppose
that a man can become wealthy by
putting up printing press and prin-
ting notes in his own name, as to ex-
pect the Government to become rich
by printing notes in the name of the
people or its own officers.


! But there is another reform, needed
broader, deeper and more sweeping in
its extent. OF what use is our tariff.
revenue and civil service, if we do not
have honesty in the administration of
our Government? 1t is vain for men
to economiZe, or labor, and build up
the Government, If the money collsc-
ted from the people is to be stolen by
dishonest officials.


Can you doubt the great need for
reform in this respect. when YOU
learn that of all the money paid to the
Government during the last ten years
over one half has been stolen by dis
honest officeholders. | wish that this
charge could be less easily made or
more readily answered.


But when we see these guilty thieves
absolved, the people begin to lose
their sense of security. When we see
rogues exposed only to be continued
in office and even promoted, l feel
alarmed that our government and its
methods of administration are becom.
ing so corrupt. We see none of the
old time honesty In the present admin
istration of public affairs, and the
want of it Is not deplored and regret
ted. and rogues punished by the Re-
publican party, who have controlled
the Government for the last sixteen
years.


NO Republican can deny this, and
now the people recognize the great ne.
cessity for change, and admit that
it can only be effected through the
success of the Democratic party.


1t may be. and doubtless is. true
that there are bad men in the Demo-
cratic as we'll as in the Republican
party. But here is the difference: The
bad men do not rule the Democratic
party, and the rogues do rule the Re.
publican party. 1t will be our duty
when we como into power to Law
.A"AiuS Va ehCoo ioSueS, DOIu out ana
in the party, and hurl them from the
places and positions which they dis
grace, as did SAM'L J. TILDEN, our
standard bearer, in his own great
State of New York. [Applause


Ihe Democratic House of Represen-
tatlves, upon assuming power in
Washington, last winter, went at once
to work to investigate the great wrongs
which had been committed in the past
If they were. as is charged by the Re-
publicans, stimulated by party feel
ing, does it make the results any bet
ter or worse! 1t will not do to stop
and nnderrate any public service by
stopping to impugn or doubt the mo-
tives of the man who perform it.


They disclosed enough to make the
people feel insecure in the possession
of any public money, and to speedily
arrive at the conclusion that such
things can not continue and the Gov
ernment be able to pay its just debts;
and that we were fast losing all our
old time official purity, and high