New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-04

One would have supposed that the habit of
| misrepresentation so assiduously cultivated by
the Patriot during the late election would
find rest after the struggle is over aud sound
drubbing had been realized by itself and
friends; but such does not appear to be the
case. 1t continues its violation Of truth and
fairness such an ex tent as to lead to the concu
sion that the habit has become chronic and in
durable.
That the Democrats should mourn their de-
feat is not surprising, but that they should
have no respect for the public comfort in their
dismal howlings. gives evidence that they have
lost all sense of propriety and decency in the
hour of calamity.
The Patriot Of the 22d ultimo bewails the
overthrow of its party, and attempts to break
the force of the blow in outbursts of wrathy
departures from truth, in this wise
"And, when it is considered that their
triumph was achieved by a coalition of ele-
ments, which represent neither the ntelli gence
substance, nor worth Of the stationary com,
munity, this exultation becomes indeed, pal
try"
That the Republican victory represents
neither the intelligence, substance, nor worth
Of the stationary community" will be news to
the property holders and business men of this
District who united their efforts to defeat
party Of traitors, rebels; and their ignorant
vassas.
Every person in the public employ, from
the highest to the humblest was required to
register, and to vote the Radical ticket, upon
pain of removal. 1t is now estimated that the
departments furnished 2 900 or =, 500 votes and
that the Navy Yard, Arsenal, Government
Printing Office, and other public places con-
trbuted l, 900 more from among the mechan-
les and labOrers."
We venture the remark that the above para.
graph contains an untruth in every sentence.
That every citizen Of the District connected
with the departments discharged duty they
owed to themselves and the public welfare by
registering and voting at the late election there
is no doubt; but to say that they did 80 under
menace of dismissal, is an insult alike to their
manhood, their intelligence, and their indie
pendence.
This prescription was 80 extreme that sew
eral of the best workmen at the Navy Yard
were removed simply for expressing prefer
ence in favor Of the Democratic candidates. and
yesterday number ofprinters were discharged
for no other reason than exercising the common
privilege of freemen"
Such foul aspersons as these upon men in
position might have been tolerated in silence
during the excitement of warm political con-
test, but now there is no excuse for it. The
misrepresentation is gross and indefensble.
We have it from the sest authority that not a
single printer or any other employee of the
Government Printing Office has been dis
charged since or pending the election /" for ex-
ercisins the common privilege Of freemen."
'Of the resident community proper the Rad,
Icals did not receive respectable fraction.
Ofhce-holders, carpet baggers, and negroes-the
latter constituting three fourths of the aggre-
gate, and three or four thousand Of them i'm
ported for the occasion-make up the stock in
trade of the great triumph with which the
partisan managers have tried to deceive people
at q distance. more audacous fraud was
never witnessed than that perpetrated in the
negro vote, and we are assured that those who
controlled it have unblushingly asserted that
they could have swelled the ma Ority still more
had it been necessary to increase the desired
effect"
But We are not disposed to pursue this ia ISL
fer of fact and traducer of honest and intelli-
gent citizens in its reckless TRADE under the
smarting of defeat. 1t has been slaughtered
by popular sentiment, is now enrolled in its
political shroud, and should rest more quietly
in its coffin of defeat. 1t can excite no sym
patty by its indecent howlings, while it may
challenge feeling of disgust that its fallen
state would otherwise escape
If the Democratic party was in power, not
Republican vote could be found in either or
any Of the departments of the Government
and yet the Patriot calls for public sympathy
becsuseths Republicans now in the depart