Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-10-05
HONESTY IN OFFICE.

II any people ever had occasion to know
the difference between honest and dishonest
men in office, we are that people. AT the
opening of the five years rebellion against
the government, we had man at the ma
tion's head who with half dozen strokes of
his pen could have quenched that consuming
IRE But unfortunately he was dema-
gogue-a sinister, dishonest politician, who
never had risen above the selfish lust Of
power He professed opposition to seces-
sion in one breath and in the next declared
that the nation had no right to put it down
by force. Right before his eyes and with his
tacit or open approval the whole business OF
preparing to destroy the government, went
forward. He dishonesty and treacherously
permitted the arms and military resources Of
the nation to be scattered, put into traitors
hands OF squandered. And so he bequeathed
crippled, ill-armed government with its
heleaguered capital to his illustrious success
soL He stood in the boldest imaginable
contrast with the cold-hearted, dishonest,
tricky politician who for four long years
had with the aid of party that 10 this day
has never risen above it, wasted the nations
life.
Through period of the severest trial that
any mortal man was ever called to fill, he
stood unscathed, untainted - his unselfsh
devotion to the cause Of his country and his
answering honesty never questioned, save
by those who would have pulled down the
Il tpmplp nt Ihnrftr
pie felt the force of honesty and unselhshness
in Abraham Lincoln. They felt that with
such man in the chief place of power
somehow the country was safe. The hand
of an assassin put successor in his place,
who seems to want every quality fora wise
and safe ruler.
How do the American people feel now!
There is everywhere lurking, expressed
or unspokcn sense of insecurity. A dread
OF impending troubles is apparent in all the
ranks of men. There is feeling that An.
drew johnson is the very impersonation
of dishonesty, demagogueism and malig-
nant, unreasoning ambition, tina; will hest
tate at no method for its qualification.
Now in our own little State we have had
perfect copy of these three men on re.
duced scale in our Gubernatorial chair. 1t
is quite sufficient to state the fact. At the
opening of the war we had Democratic
incapacitate whose chief ambition seemed to
be to serve the interests of the montgomery
chief The less he could do for his country
and the more he could do for its ruin the
better were he and his party pleased.
He was succeeded by William Cannon, as
pure-minded, honest man us ever breathed.
lie wrought with his whole soul for the
honor of his State, through the salvation OF
his country. Though hampered and hin.
dered at every step by party that would
fam perpctuate itself (though it is really
twice dead) he stood with unsclfish honesty
by the men who stood by or fell for the old
flag
Death at length placed successor in
power. 1t is enough 10 say of him that he
never was known TO do, or dare, or suffer
anything that would NOT in some way ad
vance the Democratic party and especially
his oson Share Of IL. He IS notoriously a
demagogue-a political wirc-puler in full
and hearty sympathy with rebellion. Ht
never yet was suspected of looking at the
demands of his State or country above hi.
party, and is too old probably to change.
Fellow citizens and friends Of Delaware
we propose to put in the Governors chair q
man who has never been a politician. A
man OF the people and for the people Above
all we mean TO have an honest man IN tba
place Whoever knew of stain of dis
honesty or political corruption on the fail
name of JAMES RIDDLE? We ask YOU tc
think of these things without prejudice
Rest assured that the man for whom W,
would have you vote will never deceiy,
you. He is just what he seems. An homes
patriot, an uneorrupted man, who has ne
personal and selfish ends to crafty and ne
object but his country's good to gain.
All this can be said also of our candidat,
for Congress- We mean to send an honest
unilinching patriot 10 the legislative hall,
where honesty, answering fidelity ouph
ever to command premium. To this IN,
American people must come if they will
purify and preserve the government of The
Republic TO unborn generations.
Once more friends and fellow citizens O
Delaware without party or name, we cal
upon you to rally to the support of fire.,
government against usurpation and des
potism, of liberty and the sacred rights o
man.