Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-02-05
- as DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSIBLE

-aE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSIBLE
Is the Democratic party responsible for the
viilainy perpetrated by men elected to Office ~
il! s.ss Ia
I: The above question, asked by the Madison
Patriot, though not difficult 10 answer, pre-
sumo is one that has been little Thought on by
large portion of our Democratic friends. That
every political party IS responsible for the pub
lie acts of the men elected TO office by such
party. far those acts are sanctioned b. The
party, cannot be questioned In what way can
the Democratic party exeulpate itself from the
charge of corruption, while it sanctions and en-
dures the corrupt and fraudulent acts of the
officials of that party, by casting their votes for
the reelection Of those same men, after their
unworthy acts hare been made public? What
ever the acts of A[r. Barstow's administration
may have been previous TO his nomination FOR 4
reelection, the party that supported him and
lent its influence to keep him in power became
accessory to those acts, and cannot be held other
wise than responsible for them.
4 political party may place in high office men
who may prove unprincipled and corrupt, and
far as their acts are repudiated by the party,
so far the party clears its skirts from the charge
Of corruption; but while the party looks with
approval, or even Indifference, upon those acts
it cannot he considered less liable TO censure
than the persons who actually committed the
offence.
The administration of Mr.. Barstow was ac-
cused of committing a great wrong upon the
people in their favoritisrn in disposing Of the
school lands, and the evidence was produced in
the Ludington purchase. 1t was accused of a
grand scheme to enrich few OF its leaders al
the expense of the people, as in the LUnatic
Asylum contract. 1t has been accused of vari-
Gus schemes where official power has tended ID
injure the many at the benefit of few, and The
proof has not been wanting in a single instance
to fasten guilt upon 1lr. Barstow and his State
officers; and previous to the holding of the Con
vention by which Mr.. Barstow was re-nomina-
ted, scarcely = member Of the Democratic party
COLD be found who doubted the truth Of the
many accusations of corruption, made not by
Republicans alone, but by many honest Demo
Gratis, against the State officers In re-nominat-
ing and supporting Mr.. Barstow for reelection
with these facts before the world, the Demo
cratic party made itself, in legal parlance par
ticeps crimilaS to all the corruption of tie State
officers.
If the State officers have committed, or caused
to be committed, fraud in the late Stale can
vass, and have attempted to deprive another OF
the Office Of Governor, by giving the certificate
wrongfully to Alr. Barstow, and thereby setting
af naught the viii OF the majority, the Demo-
cratic party, so far it countenances and fayors
such frauds, is responsible for the acts Of the
State Canvassers, and justly ehargeable with
guilt, even though but few members of the party
could be found who would have dared to perpe-
trate the fraud themselves.
If man becomes accessory to the crime Of
horse stealing, and attempts to seerete the stolen
property and aid the thief in bis endeayors to
escape the offices Of justice he Is held guilty in
the eyes Of the law, and subjects himself to
punishment. Nor is the Democratic party less
guilty in attempting 70 screen from public cen
sure the men they have placed in power. by at
tempting to cover up make light Of their
faults, sanCioning their acts Is they certainly
do,in supporting their uufaithful officers for a
reelection. The love of pelf increases with
the pelf,' and if Mr.. Barstow, during his two
years administration, has enriched himself by
making an improper use of his official stat ion.
the party has no reason to suppose that be viii
be more honest for the next two years: and
should he succeed in holding the place lie now
occupies, doubtless through fraud the party
that elected him and sanctions his course. viii
be responsible for lis acts, whatever they NAV
be-
The same principle viii apply, as we'll TO The
National Is the State Administration Franklin
Pierce was undoubtedly elected to the office he
now holds 10y The vo;e4 of men Who never
dreamed OF aiding III he extension OF slavery.
Many of the most ardent admirers of Stephen
y. Douglas among those who considered the
Missouri Compromise as sacred IS the Constitu-
ton itself Such men are not responsible for
the political acts Of Douglas or the administra-
ton Of Mr. Pierce, unless they approve those
acts and act with the party that lends It's infiu-
ence TO carry out their schemes. The Demo
cratic party North may claim TO be opposed 10
the extension Of Slavery. but when it acts with
the South in her endeavors 10 flsten the curse
OF Slavery upon free Territory, and by the aid
Of the Democratic party the South succeeds in
her endeavors (and she cannot do it without \
IS not the Democeatic party responsible for the
acts of its officials both in and out of Congress
This question of party responsibility Is one
that is worthy Of serious and candid consitera-
ton, and should be 50 looked upon by men Of
all parties
IhpSF NIN.-The Democratic Assembly az
Madison have ordered about 10000 copies Of
documents, such as Mr. Bar,tov's MESSAGE. and
the Reports of the different departments. pub
Gshed IN nearly all the languages sfcken in
Wisconsin, the object Of which is 10 give the
State Printer and 4 few pet publishers Of Bar
stow papers in foreign languages, ! good plat