New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-05
THE MORAL QUESTION.


the life or death of the nation appeared to de-
pend upon the election of Abraham Lincoln,
the actual results were widely different from
the most careful canvass. In one Massachu-
sets district, which was generally considered
doubtful one, the Republican party only
claimed majority of four hundred, and re-
ceived as many thousands. AS the election
was known TO be an honest one, the astonlsh-
ment at the result was extraordinary. A local
politician, attempting to explain 1t, SAID, with
more reverence than profanity, " Heaven has
" stuffed the ballot-boxes." The case was,
after all, not so inexpicable as it appeared
Hundreds of citizens who, up to the last hour,
had intended to vote for the candidate OF
their party, on their way to the polls sud-
denly concluded that the risk was too great,
that the need of the country was too urgent,
that they must vote for Lincoln.
Again, last year, up to the morning oil cleo
ton there was the gravest doubt as TO whether
the honest people of New-York or the Tweed
Ring were the stronger. The enemy had so
much money, such unlimited control OF the
lawless and irresponsible classes, and was so
reckless and prOiuse in the use OF all corrupt
means, that even the bOldest could not be sure
of the victory against them. But we all re-
member how complete and startling was the
triumph when it came. 1t would have been OF
course impossible, if thousands of Democrats
had not resolved that the welfare of the city
and the cause of good government were IN
fnitey more important than the success OF the
crowd that had usurped control OF their party.
1t will not be surprising if we see some such
result next week. In spite of all the dust ana
confusion of this campaign, i'll spite of the
clouds of lies and sOphistres with which the
air is filled, the issue is more clearly defining
itself day by day, and it is evidently moral
one. The Liberal cause means Honesty in
administration, and Charity as the controlling
impulse of national politics hereafter The Re-
election party are fighting for renewed tenure
of the power they have used so i'll, and if they
should succeed we should have nothing to ex-
pect but continuance of corruption and waste
in Office, and a perpetuatiOn of the hateful
strifes and animosites of the war.
These are not mere assertions. Look at the
proof. In Indiana, Mr.. Hendricks, the most
eminent citizen of the State, represents the
marty of Honesty and Cancellation, and the
utmost malice of his enemies cannot deny
that he represents them worthily. Against
him, Senator Morton heads campaign whose
only spirit is that of furious Hate of the
South. and whose only methods are those Of
the most open and shameless crimes against
the ballot box. Senator Morton is to-day a
moral outlaw, though he may have avoided
placing himself in the power of the violated
laws of his country. In Pennsylvania, the
issue ia no less sharp and clear. BY the side of
Mr.. Buckalew are ranged the best and purest
of the Republicans of the State, those whom
their fellow citizens have always delighted to
honor On the other side are all the Rings and
bandits of Pennsylvania politics, rallying about
a proved malefactor, and sustained by jail
birds released from their cells to justify pur-
chased pardon by purchased peTjuries. Up to
this hour no word has been said for HaItranft
except that he was a soldier. This is no longer
enough to cover such multitude of sins.
Let no one say these are merely local issues.
The Administration has thrown in its fortunes
with these reckless gamblers. The President
of the United States joined in the panic
stricken counsel which resolved on Yerkes's
pardon. The party at large support and as
sist the Infamous crime of Morton against the
suffrage in Indiana. They have, we religiously
believe, assumed load too heavy for any
party to bear in q country where the majority
are men of good intentions They stand ar
raigned before the conscience of the Ameri-
can people as guilty of deliberately adopting
theft and fraud as means of political action,
and the spirit of Hate as a guide in political
sentiment. 1t Is the duty of honest men and
of Christian men to reflect if they can sustain
these offenses against the laws of men and
the laws of God.