Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1874 — Is It Good Faith ? [ARTICLE]

Is It Good Faith ?

Who says the work of the Republican pnrty is done and therefore it ought to go down ?„ Not a single man who was ever a sincere genuine Republican. Some who followed that party for the “loaves and fishes” say so, and those who could see no way for themselves to be leaders and office-holders by Republican suffrage say so. But no man who looks beyond the narrow circle of self, to the elevation of the universal brotherhood of mankind, ever has any such ideas. The party that has the power to accomplish what the Republican party has, and shows itself ever ready to grasp and deal with any question that affects the welfare of the people, is certainly able to purge itself of the corrupt, who are certain to attach themselves to any party that is in power. The Republicans have shown the disposition to bring to account and punish corrupt officials, high or low. It needs to go a step farther and shake off its dead weights before election. Because a man has a great mauy relatives and friends who are Republicans is no reason that be must be accepted for office when he cannot command the confidence and respect of the people generally. We should shake off all those whose interest is evidentley the seeking of an office. There is not as much danger from the operations of an open enemy, as from the luke-warmness of a hanger-on for office. We ought, in justice to ourselves', to sever from those whose treachery will betray us, whenever the enemy can, with the least assurance promise them office.

In a previous issue we gave a little ventilation to the independent movers in Tippecanoe county, wherein they were shown to be so fuithless to their own tools that they could hot retain them till their work was done. <-» The Fountaiu county editor, imported to work for the reformers, and working for them faithfully, was so shamefully abused and plundered, that human nature was compelled to assert itself, and he went over to the party of human rights. In onr own county, Mr. Patton of Remington was the regular nominee of the Independent party for tbe office of Sheriff; and it was “ruled” in the preliminary caucus of that party, before their primary election, that the candidates should “support the nominees or be considered boltera.” The mau who proposed the "rule” was a candidate at the primary election that nominated Mr. Patton, and in violation of that rule, when the campaign was nearly over, gave his whole influence for Mr. Rhoads of Rensselaer, and electioneered, and circulated votes for him thereby defeating Mr. Patton. Of course we do not wish to complain that Mr. Daugherty was elected in consequence of that proceeding; but we do wish the "people” to see that it is not to their interest to follow the lead of those whose sense of honor will permit them to betray any person’s trust, at any stage of a campaign. When a man is nominated for office by "the people,” that man should feel that the people will not be led away from his support at the only time they can do him any real good—at the election. It was supposed by the leaders of the movememt in Tippecanoe, that Mr. Spence would starve and beg while they plundered him, and that he would continue the delusive cry of "reform. ” The leaders of the movement in Jasper county now expect Mr. Patton and his friends to brush the dust of battle from their eyes and get ready for another race-for "reform.” Will they do it? Will the people put men in nomination to have them sacrificed in the house of their political friends ? It would be eminently appropriate for those seeking reform and political purification, to avoid deception, intrigue and faithlessness.