Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1885 — LEAVES BAD COMPANY. [ARTICLE]

LEAVES BAD COMPANY.

A Prominent Ohio Republican Deserts His Party and Joins the Democratic Hanks, Because the Republican Party Leaders Are Trying to Maintain a Barrier of Sectional Hate. [Toledo (Ohio) special to Detroit Free Press.] The political sensation here is the publication of an authorized interview with Capt. P. H. Dowling, in which he renounces allegiance to the Republican party and anchors himself safely in the Democratic ranks. Capt. Dowling has always been one of the leading Republicans of the State, was Postmaster under Grant, revenue agent under Hayes, again Postmaster under Arthur, and one of the of the larger faction of the Republican party in the State. Last June a Post reporter interviewed the Captain just after the Republican State Convention, with this result. He said: “The platform is made up of a bundle of inconsistencies. The attempt to force a false issue by raising the cry that the rebels have taken charge of the administration of the affairs of the Government exhibits a degree of demagogism unparalleled in the history of the nation.” To-day ho was shown this paragraph by a Blade reporter and asked if it was correct. After reading it he said: “Yes, that is substantially correct,” “The platform of the Republican party Mien is not in harmony with your views?” “No, it is not.” you vote for the Republican candidate on the State ticket?” “No; I decided at that time not to do so, because such action would be an indorsement of sentiments not in harmony with my conviction of duty, and subsequent events have only strengthened me in the belief that it is not only unwise, but unjust and unpatriotic, to co-operate with a party whose acknowledged leaders are attempting to carry an election by appealing to the passions and prejudices of people residing in one locality with a view to create bitterness and hostility against those in another locality in the same country. The brave and patriotic men who were instrumental in organizing the Republican party, and who were the exponents of the principles of that party and controlled its actions during the days of its purity and usefulness, do net now and never did share in this feeling, but the men who are now assuming the leadership of that once honored and useful party announce to all who march under its banner that the first test of a good Republican is to assist in building up a barrier of sectional hate between the States of the North and those of the South. The Republican party in Ohio this year is seeking success at the polls upon the assumption that more than one-half of all our American citizens are enemies of the Government awaiting a favorable opportunity to overthrow it. The cry that Democrats, because they are Democrats, are dangerous citizens, should be rebuked by all patriotic citizens. The cry raised by the Republican leaders in the Springfield Convention that the administration of the affairs of the Government has fallen into the hands of its enemies demonstrates that the leaders and managers of that convention, in their zeal to promote party interests, disregarded every rule of rectitude and honor.” “I do not understand your reference. ” “Well, to make myself clear, and in order that there may be no misunderstanding, I -wall say that the Republican party of Ohio, for some years past, has been slowly drifting into the hands of men who have been using it to advance their own ends. Gen. Grant expressed my meaning when he said that the men who did not get enough of fighting during the war are doing the fighting now. Why, just look for a moment at the covy:se of some of those men. The very fellows who were undermining General Grant, when he was doing all in his power to carry out the reconstruction policy and secure a lasting settlement of affairs, are the men who have been the most rampant for a fight whenever they saw their own personal advancement depended upon it. But these are not the days when men are driven like cattle or led around with hooks in their noses, and the intelligent voters of Ohio are not going to be deceived into believing that another rebellion is brewing when the very air is vocal with a jubilee of peace and good-will.” “But, Captain, is there not a good deal of emotional sentiment in all this?” “No, sir. The men who fought great battles, both North and South, are heartily in’ accord in desiring that the issues that have so long divided the country be forever settled. Trade and commerce, the development of almighty country, all combine in asking for living legislation and a grand advance movement. For many years the platforms of the Republican party, both State and national, have rung out for economy and purity of the public service, and yet when a man has been found who, like President Cleveland, makes vital the very principles that they have been maintaining they turn around and denounce him as an enemy of the Government. The truth of it is that in one of those strange evolutions of American politics the Democratic party has swapped principles with the Republican party, and a Democratic President is doing for the country to-day

what would have been accomplished years ago had the professed principles of the Republican platforms been adhered to. It was just so after the revolutionary war when the Federalists and the Tories changed places entirely. The fact of it is, this is a democratic government, as Lincoln said, ‘of the the people, by the people, and for the people,’ and if one set of men fail another set will be found to do the work.” “Captain, do you think there has been any real change? Has there not been a show of doing much, but in reality doing little ?” “I believe much has been done. President Cleveland’s course as Governor of New York is simply being repeated on a grander scale as President. Every branch of the public service has profited by the reforms inaugurated, and the result will be the saving of millions of dollars to the people and a better civil service than has ever been seen in the country.” “Do you think the Republicans should have indorsed t is administration ? That seems to be the drift of your conversation,” “I most certainly think the Republicans should have given President Cleveland full credit for the good work he has done. It has been for the best interests of the country as a whole, and not for any particular clique, faction or even the Democratic party as a separate organization. President Cleveland deserves the support of every thinking A merican citizen, irrespective of party, in what he’s doing. Those who denounce him are recreant to the commonest principles of patriotic duty, and are not fit to be intrusted with official place or power. Holding the views I do, I most emphatically decline to march in the so-called Republican procession this fall. I cannot obey the commands of such leaders, and shall strenuously resist every effort they may put forth to subvert good government and exalt themselves at the expense of a reunited country.”