The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-10-28
The Duty efIRepablicans.
From the La Crosse Leader.

The Republican party of this State ha
performed a duty sometimes deemed
perilous it has .'swopped ho,ses in the
middle of the stream"-in plain words.
it has removed E. A. Spencer, candidate
fer Secretary of State. frnm the ticket,
and substituted L. Bree.e in his place.
I The facts that led to Mr. Spencer's re
moval are these: In his capacity as
| Assistant Secretary of State. he retained
in his hands some IS, 600 belonging to
the State, and paid it into the Treasury
only when exposure was imminent. We
/ do not charge Mr.. Spencer with intend.
ing to embezzel this money, but we do say
| that his conduct was unwarrantabie in
public officer. The money should nor
have remained in his hands single
hour. The State Committee did right
| in removing him, or in taking action
equivalent to that-1equesting him to
resign, which request he complied with,
and afterwards, 1t seems, by a dispatch
extensively published over his own name.
withdrew his resignation. His sub>e-
quent determination makes no difference
Mr.. Breese is the candidate of the peo-
pie: MIR. Spencer Is in fact removed.
vi hat is the result7
Democrats are gleeful They have
found-not any defalcation of an officer
elected by the party-nst any money lost
to the State-but Republican candidate
whose conduct has been unju>tifable, and
now they claim vociferously, that the State
Government should be passed over to
their hands.
What should be the effect upon Re
publicans? 70 fill them with distrust? ?
to make their arm nerveleas and their
spirit weak? No 1t should inspire
them with firmer faith, with stronger
confidence, with a more enthusiastic zeal
1t should add to their strength, increase
their vigor, rekindle their love.
The Republican party proposes to be an
honest party. 1t not only advocates the
cause of humanity by giving the treest
personal liberty and the largest political
privilege to every man, but 1t processes
to be governed by the principles ofh homes
ty, economy, and regard for the public
good, in its administration OF government
tai affairs.
Now how is this claim affected by
recent events? 1t is simply made strong
er-its truth is proven.
/ The Republican party is not made up
f! of saints or honest men exclusively.
Rogues belong to every party. The sol
dlers Ut fortune, the camp-fuilowers, the
lovers Of gain and the searchers for plum
der, inevitably follow the banner of the
victorious army. The Repnblicaa party
IN this State has many offices to ill by
election or appointment. 1t would be
strange. indeed ifall were worthily filed:
But this one thing the Rep blican party
does. 1t discharges unworthy or incom
petent officials, when their unitness is
known. 1t has just done this thing. 1t
Will do it again, az often as 1t Is neces-
sary. The cancer will be probed to the
qulck-the rottenness will be scraped
from the very pone-the sealpel will be
used with frm, untiinching hand-the
leper, whoever he may be, will be driven
out and branded "uncean.
Let Republicans grid on their armor
anew. Let the N draw fresh inspiration
troIi this evidence Of the vigorous deter
mlnatlon of the party to regain its purity
and keep its officials unspotted by tant
OF disl onor. Let the word again pass
along the line that integrity alone is hon.
ored, that its wants will bring swift con-
demnatlou, and SO close up the columns
aud move forward to victory. If further
discipline is necessary, it will be admin
lstered by drum head court marshal
without breaking the ranks.