The weekly standard., 1870-06-22
Charges of Corruption.

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~ Charges of Corruption.
1t becomes an independent newspaper to
do justice to friend and foe; it becomes a
partizan newspaper to assail its enemies; but
in making such assaults, the truth is the first
requisite, for the truth hurts, when false .
hoods and ISLANDERS are forgotten. We pro-
pose to adhere rs nearly to the truth as we
can, but human nature is weak, and man,
will err, nor are we exempt from such erroys.
However, while we do not feel as the Phar-.
isee felt towards the Publican, neyerthelfss
we thank God that we do not err US widely as
other men have done
8 The charges of corruption preferred
against certain men of both parties in this
State, have been scattered broadcast every
where. The opposition has exulted in them.
1t has stigmatized the whole Republican
party as o corrupt organization upon the
basis of these charges. How would it be,
therefore, should We retaliate Retaliation,
some might say, would be just and proper
but we say, as the charges are false, in the
first instance, or stand unproven, that if we
retaliate we admit them and do another in-
justice to right the wrong. 'T
Therefore, we have seen tit to forbear, yet
in forbearing We have not failed to remind
the people that leaders of both parties have
| been criminated, and especially in this coun-
ty. ..+.. ..-,....
However, We have not given credence to
the charges of corruption so frequently ut
tered BY the Sentinel If it believes them,
how can itsupport Judge Fowlea How can
it support and encourage Mr.. Haywood
How can it countenance and sustain Messrs.
Cowan, johnson and McAden
We believe that Judge Fowle, the pomi-
nee. of the Democratic party for the Senate
in this district, is an honest man, because
We believe that the charges of corruption
preferred against HIM by the Sentinel are
false. As u partizan journal, we might have
let this matter stand as it was placed by
| the Sentinel, but as Just man we cannot da
so and if there is not enough manliness LEFT
in his own organ to do him justice, there i!
enough in the Standard and it will slway,
remain there.
Still in making this disclaimer toward
an opponent, whom we personally respect
y 20 tba hot
party, which nominated him, does no
show spirit of magnanimity toward
Republicans. They are too full of malic
and hatred to do justice, even to their owl
friends, and to expect it from them toward
their enemies, Is to indeed expect "som
good to come out Of Nazareth
We observed on Saturday that Gov
Vance denounced corruption, in his speech
on both sides. We ask him if he admits cor
! ruption IN the Conservative side of III
house. Ii he does, where is the PROOF. w
have plenty of charges, but VIC have no proc
as yet, and when that comes, it is time t.
take some action for the punishment of cor
ruptionists
| But it is proposed to punish them now
to punish u whole purty-to lay whole Oh
ganization under the ban. because as Gov
Vance says, there is corruption on both side,
Is this justa Is itright, because a man ha
charges of corruption preferred against him
to condemn him without the proefs W
ask the intelligent people of this State t.
give us an answer
We desire to conduct u rcspcctabI
journal, and to leave felons to the law
and when they appear in this paper t
| appear in the court reports, where thei
names properly belong. But to drag theu
before the public, and to so cast about thei
characters line of fire, is unjust, and he
longs to a system of political ethics wit
= which we have hitherto been unacq uainted
| However, as great philosopher las said
it is not the man who fights the war, but th
man who provoked it,that is responsible
and we feel that we are now in the discharg
ofa public duty in charging the enemy home
and hitting him straight from the shoulder
If Republicans are guilty, the Democrat
are guilty also. If Republicans are limo
cent, Democrats are innocent also. This i
the inevitable conclusion of the logic of th
opposition. We say, however, that if ma,
is guilty, Republican or Democrat, that lie i
not guilty as Republican or as q Democrat
but that he is guilty as man, and. as maj
he will be punished.
Therefore, we have abstained from utter
ing charges of corruption. We can max
no defence by retaliation. We can show n,
justification by saying to the opposition, tha
"you did it also.n There is u higher Law
and that law is that no party as party
corrupt, but that men are corrupt and hav
been since the fall of Adam, and as me-
must answer before God and man for thei
sins
Few and far between have been either th
just or generous articles of the opposition
papers. Gentlemen, we propose to. defea
you, and bring you lower than ever, befE,
the people of this State, because you hay,
made an issue as party which is not tena
Bile andas a party you have the sins of oil
organization to bear, which like the shirt o
Nessus, would PROSTATE the strength o
| Harc,,lac