Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-09-04
ADVERTISING RATES

The financial administration of the
Republican party has given to the
country stability and confidence. Under
its rule the business men of the nation
count with confidence upon the wears
to come, and know what they NAV
reasonably look for, and enterprise
leaps forward as it never did before.
With the advent of the Democratic
party to power would come vacciIIa-
tiOn, destruction of confidence, tamper-
ing with the currency, threats and fears
of reputation. The accession to power
of party pledged to free trade, and
violent changes in the revenue system,
would paralyze with fear the great
manufacturing interests of the country,
and check every new investment and
enterprise in that direction. The fact
that the Democratic party, upon all
financial questions, has no policy, and
is in state of utter confusion, would
not prevent the mischief. Their known
hostility to manufacturing interests,
their blind strikings out, their threats
of change and revolution would result
in consequences as disastrous as decis-
i've action.
What the country needs is not a
change of policy and measures, but
wise, honest and vigorous admin:stra-
tion.. The Government is much In the
condition of a man whose business is
well established and uuder good regu-
lations, and whose success does not de-
pend upon the introduction of radical
new methods and projecting new en-
terprises, but upon the industry, skill,
economy, and integrity in the manage
ment of his affairs. Reforms in ad-
are always possible, and
should be diligently sought for, lust as
every wise business man may improve
from time to time in the manner of
carrying on his regular business.
A RAILWAY ILLUSTRATION.
In illustration of the enormous
growth and development of the coun-
try under Republican administration,
/ may refer to the fact that on the 1st
of january, 1873, there were i'm opera
tion in the United States 67, 122 miles
of railroad, and that of this number
over 30, 0,00o miles had been built since
the war, at cost Of not less than eign-
teen hundred millions of dollars. And
the great fact, which the most stupid
cannot deny, is that from the time the
Republican party came into power up
to tho present day, Notwithstanding
the war OF the rebellion-a Democratic
all its dreadful waste of
blood and treasure, the Nation has
grown and pro5pered as it
never did before, and rs no other ma
tion has done in the same period of
time. In contrast with this fact, all
the complaints and snarlings of the
Democratic party are but as the little
h1llOcks raised by the prairie dogs COM
pared with Pixies Peak and the mighty
range OF snow clad mountains of Colo
RADIO.
INDISCRIMISATE CHRGEs.
To the general charge of corruption
in the Republican party have return
ed a general denial. That there cor
rupt men in the Republican party, and
have been in every party in this and
every other country, no sensible man
will deny. While human nature con-
tinues fallible and imperfect there will
be weakness and corruption among the
members Of every human organization.
Even in this good old country of Athens
you can scarce find a congregation
which does not contain one or more
black sheep.
Those who charge and believe in
universal corruption are themselves
most likely to be corrupt. for out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh, and when we hear brawl-
ing demagogue on the stump denoun-
cling Republican officials as generally
the chances are that man will
be thief at the first opportunity.
IMPROVED MORALS IN POLITICS.
The standard of public morals is to-
day higher in this country than it has
ever been before. OF this I am satisfi-
ed from somewhat careful reading Of
the history of our country for the last
one hundred years. So far from the
public morals having been debauched
and deteriorated during the twelve
years OF Republican rule, notwith-
the war with all its conse-
queEces and demoralizations, they
have been greatly elevated and i'm
proved. Let it be understood that the
of the Credit Mobilier,
and all others that have taken place,
were ordered by Republican House
and Senate, upon the motion and at
the instance of Tepublican members.
1t is not that Congress is more cor
rupt than formerly, for in my judg-
ment it is less so; but it is that pnblic
opinion demands higher standard of
rectitude on the part of public men
than was ever before exacted. Let it
be said of the Republican party, as q
matter of simple justice, that this great
progress has been under its dOmina-
ion.
CONGRESsMEN GROWING BETTER.
There was less intemperance in the
asst Congress than any one that ever
before assembled i'm the capital. In
hat respect there has been a marked
in the last ten years.
As to gambling, 1 know not of u
iingle Senator who.iS now charged as q
gambler; whereas, we well remember
hat in former times some of those who
tood fist in the ranks of party, and
'ated highest for intellectual ability,
we're known as gamblers who spent
many of their nights, and even their
lays, at the gaming table.
There have been one or two flagrant
,ases of bribery in Senatorial elections,
,ut upon these the seal of general con-
has been set so deeply
,urnt in, as it were, with iron--and
public attention has been so profoundly
lwakened to the enormity of the crime,
bat we cannot doubt that upon this
ubject public morals and those of de-
lucrative bodies have been elevated
md advanced.
REPUBLICAN SELF INVESTIGATION.
1t was once said by a distinguished
tatesman that no danger was to be
pprehended from error as long as truth
vas left free to combat it. 1t may be
aid that no danger is to be beapprehended
rom corruption as long as political par
les are free and prompt in its inyesti-
,ation and punishment. While hu-
nan nature remains weak and fallible,
S it now is, there will he corruptions
nd Shortcomings; but while there is
,ublic virtue to drag the offenders TO