Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-02-13
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1878.
Credit Mobilier Again.

This painful matter like Banquo's
Ghost twill not down." though the pub
lie are getting sick aud weary of the
scandal. Recent developments indicate
that there may be more guilt than we
have been inclined to believe. Ii is no
occasion however for any one to assume
a triumphal tone. The opposition party
are apparently full of exultation at what
they claim to be the decentralization OF
prominent men. They have not the
credit of exposing or rebuking it. Their
wild statements made before the October
elections have been talsified. They
struck out wildly at Speaker Blaine be-
cause his was a master mind in the Re-
publican party. His position of Speak
er perhaps required him to take some
notice of these charges OF nalieasance,
and il was he that procured this investi-
CATION. y Republican House ordered
the investigation and put a majority of
Democrats on the committee. The re-
suit so far is that Blaine is triumphantly
indicated, and even the opposition press
say as much Others whom they bella
bored with hard words prove to be I'M
deserving of them. while the men who
appear 10 be unfavorably affected by he
investigation were never named by these
accusers.
While we shall not iooli>hlv refuse to
believe credible testimony, we cannot
bring ourselves to at once Join in the
hne and cry after men who have stood
50 high in the confidence of both parties
The public are always too swift to con-
denim, and many man whom the public
has denounced has been acquitted by the
courts. SCHUYLER Colfax's reputation
has stood too high for him to be con
demned until all his defence i in.
We admit, however, that the case looks
very dark for him, and almost hopeless
for Patterson. They have been fairly
put to their defence, and the affirmative
l. now on them 10 counteract the add
verse testimony, and the public will not
wal; long. We earnestly hope. as every
good citizen hopes, that they can remove
this cloud. II they cam IT. they must
forfeit the high places they have held in
the esteem of the American people, and
retire to ob>curity, where there are les,
temptations. Had they avowed the
truth al first they might have successful
ly pleaded justification or even de-
murrer, on the ground that there was
nothing wrong i'll their acts. The con-
gressional record does not show any
corrupt influence. The public are even
now generally Of the opinion that it i
only a huge mares nest that has been
discovered. II is not wrong for Con-
gress men to make investments, and it
i almostimDossibl Tor them 10 have any
property that may not be affected by
legislation.
These accused parties have chosen to
put themselves on the country with
square simple denial of any connection
with Credit Mobilier II this issue is
found against them, the judgment of the
people will righlfully be that they are
unworthy OF confidence and public trust.
As we said above, it is no occasion for
party or personal exultation. That some
o; these men are members of the Re
publican party. is no point against that
party. When they were advanced TO
their present high stations they were of
spotless reputation not a breath was
against them. The Republican party
has advanced them only while they were
believed to be worthy. If the party /.
should still commend them to the peo-
pie after they are found to be unworthy,
the party might then be held rcspo.si- |
bic. The Republican party has been
sadly disappointed in some OF it, trust |
ed leaders before now, and it la, been |
the first to retire them from their sta
tons. The Democratic party has need |
of charity III this matter, for one of its |
proudest members has also Welded to |
the temptation.
All good citizens will mourn at this |
view of the weaNness OF public men
and will pray that the like may not oc.
cur again. Ii is no reproach 10 Repub- |
lican government, for greater faults are
every day committed in Monarchical |
Ii is no peculiar reproach |
TO the dominant party for Tammany's |
exploits cast it into the darkest shade. |
1t is simply arcproach to poor weak hu-
man nature.