Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-10-16
The Work Remaining.

succeed IN November, re-eectiDg Gen. G-an
President by Decided majority Of the Eer-
toral College, and securing in the mex
Congress probably larger majority Of Repuh
Jicans than in the present Congress. We re
dice in this promise Of victory, not, howevrr
because it is mere party triumph bu, be-
cause we believe 1t is evidence that the PEG
pie still stand by principles and by the me
who most ne try represent those prime PIE
If We thought this verdict at the election.
last week was % be received as an urquli
i6ed enforcement Of everything Congress 0
Gen. Grant had done, We SHOULD fad ltt
occasion for graduation in 1t ; but bectu-
We hope and believe there is far create
probability OF reform and honesty IN admin
istrution in a Republican victory than Il
country could possibly have looked for in
Democratic triumph, We see cause ior th
sincerest cOngratulation in the retult Of l.z
Tuesd4y's voting.
We hope now to see the Republican
party and its trusted leaders al iress them
selves to the work Of reform. The civil ser
vice presents a field in which reform is sad
need d the legislation in aid of what are
called pub ic enterprises needs vigorous cur
talment and a searching economy IL
every branch Of administration should ~
absolutely insisted upon. IL has been Often
and truly saId during the canvass, that the
Gree ey party were spurious refOrmers; tht
the Repu 0lican party had proved itself ready
TO 90 farther than could be hoped from it-
sdversares in restoring the governmen
TO is legitm ste province Of activity and il
introducing every needed reform. The pei
pie have believed this and nave sho Fn thei,
faith 10 the future Of the party. IL j. nos
for those entrusted with the adnjnistrt
Of public aff,irs to receive this popular en-
dorsement 10 its true interpretation. who
is more an expression Of conf isncs in in
future course than an unqualified approval
of tie past policy.
No party has any claim to the support o
the psjple except as it is faithful 10 the
true principles of government, and il pro
gressive in its course Of public administration
The Republican party has a speniii repI
tation, because it has pushed throug to c 'u-
plete success even m IRE than it frsv proposed
in aid of liberty But purity 10 govern
ment,-absoluse purity IN a ImjnisJr4ti11-
is as desirable in public IN private life
Corruption d,stroys government as surely
az vice destroys manhood and honor. amt
the statesm an should Il shs the first as RESP /
lurely and as persistently as the mJrlllst
AMI the pbilanthr1piss fight the latter. The /.
law holds trustee to the most rigid hon
esty 10 the administration of his trust bun (
a givernm snt u the highest ? si5.e trds-,
and the m1st austere virtue, the strics.s
honesty, ought to be demanded OF every one
with it's administration. We
trust we do not have too high h,pes Of t.e
Republican party when We ioJz forward -
this achievement as the work which. for the
future, it will set itself about.
Ia THE work the Press can do much, both
IN it's commentator and 10 its criticism
Aud IN this connection we commend tn.
following from the Neto York Times. printed
the morning after the election
We should take little pleasure IN our suc-
cess il we did not feel conf lent that Gen /
Grant will give US good Administration
that past mistakes will he avoided thar /
geyd advice will be needed tina, many re 4
forms will be carried out which could nUr /.
even be hOpei for under a corrupt alliance /
Of Republicans and Dem lcr ats. Gen Giant I
is a conscientious and sagaci1us mao, ana /
We are convinced that he means t. do well {
He cannot fail 10 he touched by the supper /
which the people have ten tered u him and /
we are sure that it will be his ardent de-r,
10 prove himself worthy of their confidence
As for curse. YES, We have stood by him be-
cause We thoroughly believed in him, and u
far as our influence can extend, tt shall De-
exercised freely and candidly on the sd. b.
reform and good government. II we think /
the President 10 going wrong, we sh al play /
the part of a sincere friend, and tell him Sd,
and we are much mistaken IN him If be doe /
not receive any sucn suggestions IN the same |
frank spirit. lie knows better than ans !
man that we have nev-r asked any itvJr Ji !
him or his Admins ration. and never intc ia 1
20 d. so. We want No off - for any III an H. I
there Is nothing which the @ Jvernn mt car /
do for Us. We have given the President d /
support which we may take the liberty d 4
saying is honorable to b,th parties Tnt /
be will justify the expectations wnich the /
people wIil naturally form, and chat hI- I
second Administrator may BE- free fr1iu /
blemish or reproach, is the best wish we clu
express from him; and since he is at one. at
able, patriotic, and earnest mlu, 70 nav
not the slightest doubt that our wish wall
De realized.
If tue Republican press of the cout trs
will, IN toe next four years, speak the hJn
est CONVICTIONS of the honest AMI Intelligent
people of the country, it will prove itself
power higher aud better and stronger than
party. Candid criticism never hurt a.,
party or any man it ofrene- proves arest5r- !
er and purifier. What any party or ad
minlstration does that is right, seldom
needs defence; it is what of wrong it does.
or what Of right it fails to d., il which j.
seeks advocates and defenders But th-
should n yer be the Office of the press or OF
the people. Truth AMI justice are highe,
than party success; and that party cinno,
long appeal successfully u the support Of I'll,
people Which needs apologists. The Re
publican party succe ;ds aud deserves success
now because it is nearer right than its adj
versary let It's success 10 future be earned
snd deserved upon the still higher ground
that u Is right. To this end the Press can
aud ought to work with siugleuess of pur
pose, with tireless patience and unremittIng
energy.