Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-09-13
COMPARE THE FRUITS"

have stood out as the apologists and de-
tenders of the Tammany ring in its UNI
blushing usurpations and unparalleled
frauds. attempt to break the force of the
blow such q state of affairs infiiets upon
their party by arraigning the Republican
party for similar frauds in the South.
There are explanations for misgovern-
ment in the South which eXonerate the
Republican party, as party, from respon-
sibility therefor. Explanations that do
not and cannot be be true in New York.
The reconstruction of the Southern States
was naturally one of the most difficult
problems ever presented to a political par
ty in the history of this government. The
reconstruction first accomplished was inev-
itably superficial and imperfect work.
The Republican party was divided as to
the best policy to pursue. The work it ac-
complished was wrought in the heat of
passion and prejudice which the war pro-
voked. 1t was work done amid desola-
ton and with such aid as could be COM
| manded.
In carrying out the policy of reconstruc-
| ton decided upon by Congress, the re-or-
ganized governments found on the one hand
the stubborn, incorporating bitter OPP
position of unrepentant enemies, and on
the other the ambitious adventures who
always follow in the wake of armies to
fatten upon the miseries they unavoidably
| entail. With these aids, in some in
stances incompetent, and in others corrupt
men secured position, and bad government
often followed. But no sane man would
judge the Republican party by govern
ments founded and administered under
such circumstances.
In many of the Southern States the cor
ruption that existed was shared as much
by Democrats as by Republicans. If the
corruption in Tennessee could be disclosed,
it would be found that stolen mon
les went into the hands of rebels and
Democrats oftener than in the pockets of
Republicans. The same is true of North
Carolina and Georgia. 1t is eminently
true of Tennessee, for the last Democratic
Legislature dared not begin general and
impartial investigation. They began it but
feared to carry it through and if the Demo-
cratic newspaper writer of this city has
any recollections at all of the few days he
attended the deliberations of the last Legis-
lature, no one knows the truth of our de-
laration better than he.
But the fruits of Republican rule are
to be determined by its record in States
where it has been controlled by its leaders,
and upon the traditional policy of the
party. The incompetent administrations
in the South have met with no severer de-
nunciations than from the leaders and
press of the Republican party. They have
not defended corruption in the South, or
anywhere, but have boldly denounced it
and exposed it.
What, on the other hand, is the record
of Democracy? Take its administration
in the Empire State of the Union, in q
time of profound peace, where its leaders
have been untrammeled, and where it has
had no extraordinary difficulties to over
come. While in the South some State
| debts have been increased by incompetent
rulers, in building railroads and encourage
ing internal improvements, in New York,
the city and State debts have been in
creased by downright robbery and riNdiny,
and the punishment of the guilty parties
prevented by corrupt courts and corrupt
high officials. While corruption in COM
paratively limited form under Republican
rule has been exposed and punished by its
own press and leaders, robbery and usur-
patton on an unparalleled scale under
Democratic administration, has been pro-
tected and defended by venal press and
cowardly, truculent leaders. While mis-
rule under Republican ascendancy has
been on the skirmish line, in the
advanced posts of the great army plum
dering and rascality on a magnificent
scale has characterized Democratic rule in
the very stronghold of its forces-in the
Ring that dictated the nominations of tn,
Democratic National Convention and con
trolls the whole machinery of the party il
the metropolis OF the continent and in thu
first State of the Union. Corruption Their
means something. 1t is the result of tn,
settled policy of the party-a part of it
scheme for buying its way int
national ascendancy and something
of what we have a right to expect, i
it succeeds.
If this comparison of records is agreabl
the opposition are welcome to such com
fort as it affords.
.