The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-07
MeaDueSS.


1t is not an uncommon thing to sec party
journals charging upon their opponents that the
peculiarly Of political opinion entertained by
their foes is sufficient cause for the personal
misconduct attributed to ii,iluals throughout
the country. If Democrat does some devil
mcnt, it is hurried into the columns of Re-
publican paper % a proof of the wickedness of
Democracy in general, and the party ofcoursc.
is asked 10 shoulder its lame member and de-
fcnd him to tho best advantage. II Republic
can steals money or rolls hcn-roost, it is forth
with trumpcted to the world that Republican
sentiments arc fatal to the safety of property or
the quiet of the chickens r ...
This is not quite the way 10 discuss public
measures if the disputants expect to convince
each other of error, or even to retain each
others good will. The Profession Of peculiar
opinions in politics does not necessarily imply
goodness or corruption. Men of bad character
often ally themselves to party for the opror-
tunity it may give them to practice roguery, in
the same way that villains sometimes join a
church the better to secure cover for knavery |:
but no mans experience will enable him to say
that he has seen more bad citizens in one party.
or in one church, than in another, and it is re-
ducing political discussion and christian contro-
versy to the mercst blackguardism, to assume
any such thing. II is true that party may sub.
ject itself to closer criticism by making rre-
tensions to superior honesty aud virtue, and any
dercliction of duty is exposed with more rcadi-
ness by an oIpn'nt than if the prctensions
were not SO patent; but the political opinions
Of the delinquent do not make him bad man.
Success in politics often give men opportunities
Of displaying the latent rogucry which, crcum-
stances only, were required TO develop.
We havethe highest regard for the principles
of the party with which we act, but we disclaim
any intention to undertake the task of white
washing tho characters or defending the per-
sonal conduct, of every one who may attach
himself to its organization.
Wehave seen great knavcs in our own ranks,
and We have heard of many among our oppo-
ncnts, but if we want TO deal with man, or
place him in relations of confidence with cur
selves, we do not ask him, how he votes
The robbery Of the Ohio Treasury by BREs-
LIN the late Democratic custodian of the public
funds, and the subsequent covering up and evil
dent participation in the theft by his Republican
successor GIBSON, are plain demonstrations of
the folly of charging crime on party, because
Of the acts Of its members. In this case both
are guilty and the political friends of each after
bclaborng each Other for weeks, are now com
PEELED to admit that here at least were officers
whose politics though quite opposite, did not
prevent a sacrifice OF character and public cen
iidcncc for the sake of money. When YOU vote
for plinci pies select man who will carry them
| out--whcn you speak of mans private con-
duet, leave lis politics oft of the question 1t
ispcrsccut ton in n small way 10 reflect uron an
individual for the exercise of freedom of opin-
ION. Refute his lositions if you have the abil-
ity. but don't throw mud at lin or apply cpithets
a mode of warfare that always bctrays weak
ness.