Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-09
THE TRUTH PLAINLY SPOKEN.

The following article is from the editorial
columns of the Sunbury Gazette. "a Democrat
ic paper), which contains 80 much truth and
so much good sense, and so justl, rebukes a
certain class OF rebel sympathisers and dis.
honest politicians, that we transfer it to our
columns and commend it to the especial atten-
tion of the honest masses of the Dem ocratic
party. Coming AS it does from the pen of a
life long Democrat, 1t should have double
weight and influence with all thinking readers.
But read the article;
eHad il not been for the frauds committed
in the army contracts, by spectators who
rrshed TO the heecng ofthe government from
all quarters and from aN parties, our Breckin-
ridge contemporaries would have very little to
put in their columns. They will publish no
articles supporting the government; they viii
insert nothing that may encourage the Presi-
ident iu the performance of his duty; they can
find no room for anything that looks like de-
nunciation of the rebellion; they have too
great regard for Floyd to pitch into him
too much respect tor Davis, aa old party lead
or, to.giye him his dcserts and too tender a
feeling for Breck kinridge, their late standard
bearer, to publish his proper pedigree; the
Union victories appear to be distasteful, so
they say as little about them possible; but
the army frauds, the army frauds what
would they do without them 1t seems TO be
the special business of these newspapers now
TO prove that the present Administration is as
rascally as was the last, and by proving that
they think they can establish their claim TO a
reinstatement in power. But they appear not
TO comprehend the fact that the reputation Of
an Administration is not materially damaged
by the misconduct OF those under it. 1t is
the encouragement or conceai,nent of such mis-.
conduct, as ,eas the case in the Buchanan I'D
ministration, that produces the damaging effect
Any principal may be unfortunate enough to
employ dishonest agent; but the principal
can be considered as bad as the agent only
when hcconceals or approves of his ishonesty.
In the present war u most extraordinary OPP
.portunity was presented Tor the commission of
frauds. A great army and navy had to be
created, equipped and supplied, in hurry,
10 meet the emergency. The necessity of the
government compelled 1t to employ untried
men OF whose character they had no means of
Judging, and of whose politics no questions
were asked, as men ot all political parties were
aitowed TO participate in furnishing supplies.
Frauds were the result. But what then
Why il then the government had concealed
these frauds, through fear that it might be
damaged by their development, or through
dishonest collusion between the heads Of the
Administration and the delinquents, it would
now be as culpabe as its dishonest agents.
But we see that this tcGJ not the case. The
frauds ,rere brought TO light by the Republican
Congrcssmen, with the aid and countenance of
tue Republican President. The party in pow
er might have acted ditferently--it might have
followed the example of the Buchanan Admin
lstration, and used its influence to keep the
frauds from public view, leaving the drain on
the Treasury continue unchecked, until the
country was brought to bankruptcy and ruin
U Under the Buchanan Administration the fact Of
immense frauds and other reprehensibls prac-
tices, in the passage of the Lecompton Bill,
in the army in Utah, in army and navy con-
tracts, and in influencing elections and Mem
bers by money, was dragged TO light by the
opposition, with those in power making the
most determined and malignant resistance
against Investigation. This is not the case
now, yet the BreckinrIdgc press can give no.
credit TO party which does not wait for an
opposition to expose the dishonesty Of IT'S
agents, but make the exposition itself This,
senal press sees chance of making votes by
cryihg s'frauds, frauds ~ and with that cry, in
connection with ''taxes." they hope 10 carry
the next election"