“The Overthrow of Popular Government.”
By Conrad Wilson
In a recent leading article of the Times, under the head of “New Phases of Popular Government,” the writer has revealed a condition of public affairs which is entirely too critical and startling for the people longer to slumber over it. But the one fact in this connection is perhaps more critical and amazing than all the rest is—that the people do not realize the situation. They do not seem to be conscious of the actual and degrading subjection to which they have been reduced by the desperate and daring men who, having first usurped the power, are now everywhere devouring the substance of the people. They do not seem to be aware that through the persevering and defiant invasions of their rights by the arch leaders of Tammany, our citizens are already virtually disfranchised, and their sovereignty is practically extinguished. There is, indeed, no longer any doubt as to “the utter overthrow of popular government which,” as you justly affirm, “has been accomplished here.” It seems to me that the guilt and infamy of the demagogues you have so vigorously arraigned will be found, when all the facts come to light, even more aggravated than any representation yet made to the public. Incredible and astounding as are the facts repeatedly exposed in the columns of the Times, we do not yet fully comprehend the tremendous force and magnitude of the peril that surrounds us. Is it not then the highest duty of the Press everywhere to keep this subject before the people with ceaseless iteration, till they shall be compelled to see and feel the utterly abject condition to which their political masters have reduced them? To my mind it is perfectly clear that the one single event that, more than any other, accounts for the present situation, the one immense and overshadowing fact that has colored the whole of our recent politics, was the election of Hoffman in 1868. That election was a deliberate, premeditated, clearly-defined system of fraud, forgery, and falsehood, without a parallel in history. It was a virtual act of treason against the inherent rights of the people. It was a foregone conclusion; a calculated and intended seizure of power; a naked and predetermined usurpation; and as such, it has held its position, and means to hold it with immovable firmness. Since that event no election has fairly represented the public sentiment, or expressed the popular will. Since that event there has been no rightful and legitimate administration, no supreme authority emanating from the popular choice, and the government of the Empire State is at this hour essentially a government without the consent and against the will of the people—a despotism, absolute, unmitigated, and intolerable. In this dark hour of our humiliation it is satisfactory to know that we have one solid ground of hope, one firm foundation left to stand upon. If the people have no longer a government, they have a public Press, which, while it continues free, fearless and unbought, is abundantly able to cope with, and will eventually crush the despotism that is now grinding us in the dust. Journals that can be purchased cease to be a power in the community, and can work but little harm. Those that stand firm in the hour of trial, and “hold fast their integrity” to the end, grow in influence and power with every blow they strike, and rally to their support the aggregate intelligence and the unwavering confidence of the loyal millions.—CONRAD WILSON, in N. Y. Times.