Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1873-08-09

see, and to move forward in accordance with the
apirit Of the age, ii ought to die, and It viii die
Tna Republican party as whole = The be-
party that aver existed IN this conntry. 1t =
the bast party because it Is composed largely Of
the best men in the country Ihinking man. who
will not follow any party blindiy or support any
party that does not aim to come up toa high
moral standard and that will not expose GER
ruptionists and reform abuses, when they shall
be found to exist. This the Republican party
aims to do, and In thisSrespect it can very we'll
afford to challenge fair and honest criticism.
Last winter ii had an overwhelming majority In
Congress. 1t bad the power, therefore, to cover
up abuses and refuse Investigations. Habit fol-
lowed the precedents Of the Democratic party II
would have covered up abuses, but 1t did not.
On the contrary, il ordered an Investigation of
every charge preferred, whether by friend or
foe, and Il made Investigations which led to ex-
poeures that destroyed the political lives of men
Of both parties. Again, with reference to the
salary steal. This was denounced by the He
publican press without an exception. IL has
alao been denounced by every Republican
Convention held since the passage OF
the bill. 1t is strongly condemned in
the Ohio Republican platform. 1t Is not only
condemned, but its repeal is demanded, in the
strongest terms. Furthermore, Republicans
who voted for the steal, and are out Of Con-
gress, are politically dead; and Republicans who
voted for the steal, and are in Congress, with
those who are new members, who will not, in
good faith advocate and vote for repeal will
lose their standing In the party, and will not
have strength enough left to make an appear
ance again before the people, unless they should
find their way into some new party. The salary
steal has damaged some good mon. These, we
believe, voted conscentously for the increase
but they made mistake that Republicans will
not forgive. The people are more than usually
sensitive at this time. The Credit Mobilier and
other scandals have awakened the public CON
science, and the Republican party has responded
to public sentiment by condemning the acts and
the men who are responsible for those acts.
The party that has the moral courage to take
this position is worthy Of confidence. 1t does
not seek to hide the faults Of leading members
Of the party, but openly condemns them and or
ders the guilty members TO back seats. Men
who were not concerned in the frauds-men
whose skirts are clean must now come to the
front. These will go into office with warning
that will not pass unheeded In this way abuses
will be corrected, and it is the only way to cor
rect them.
We do not ask anybody to support the Repub-
lican party upon it's promises. These are good,
and we commend them, but there must be men
to correspond II we would realize what is prom
iBed. Therefore, wo turn from the promises to
the candidates, and ask that these be fairly and
severely serutinized II an unfit person Is
the interests of the Republican party,
that he be defeated. We should be glad
to have the defeat 20 emphatic that
there need be no discussion as to its mean
ing. This is the way to reform. 1t il the only
way to keep the Republics party in the ascend
eney. 1t is the way to appeal successfully TO the
Judgment OF those who do the voting, and who
are at this time g good deal dissatisfied. But
dissatisfied Republicans will not run after sham
reformers like the leaders in the Columbus cor
vention, unless driven to it or driven to give the
movement negative assistance by not voting, by
the folly Of putting up candidates that would at
this time be an insult. With men who can stand
squarely upon the Republican platform, and
whose character will be an equally good plat
form the Republican party can be relied upon to
reform abuses, and under these circumsi auces
real reformers can support it with good con-
science, and will supportit