Middletown transcript., 1873-02-15
Political Dlshonesty.


The ressst disclosures made through the
Ctsdis Ms6iliee Investigation hes awaken
ID The people, in come degree at least, to
. knowledge Of the fearful smount Of cor
sspsion thst exists smong their leaders and
sslers. Men hitherto regarded honest
sss proved 70 have bsep guilty participants
II shia criminal enterprise, aud to have
bssa engaged in this terrible abuse Of the
psblie confidence. By which millions have
bssn 6lshed from the government treasury
ssd applied 10 tho enriching Of the indi-
vidssls connected with that scsndslous At.
lAir.
We have watched with interest the pro-
srsss Of that investigation, but have stead
lily rsftainsd from joining in the denuucia.
sion Of those against whom the charge was
preferred. We deem il far more humane
aad charitable to give to every man m
opportunity to prove his innocence before
sondsmniug him. But when his guilt is
thoroughly established wc have no sympa-
thy With that mock philanthropy which
sosld shield him from the punishment due
10 bic nisdceds. BE his position high or
lsv every man should bear the coussquen-
css Of his acts. and il guilty Of wrong he
alone should bear it.
That many Of those Who wore accused
have bsea proved guilty cannot be denied.
asd shall men. who. while occupying high
.osi,ions Of trust. have thus betrayed the
eou6deuce placed in them, and been gull
y Of dishoucst practices, 60 uupunished !?
There is no doubt but that il the acts Of
whish those men are guilty had been done
BY mea 10 more humble circumstances
the Law for the prevention aud punishment
Of crime would be enforced against them.
Then Why should these man escape? The
lsw should be impartial in i.s dcaliugs, and
shoss Who advocate the equality Of all
should not hesitate to mste out equal pun:
tshmeut vi.hout respect Of persons to all
sho are guilty Of violating the laws.
The safety. honor and welfare Of society
demand the punishment Of these men. II
crime and corruption in high places are
permitted to 60 unpunished the result is
fearful to contemplate, II public officers
are alle~sl to pursue, unchecked, u ca
reet Of decentralization. viii not the bad 10.
Aylence Of their rernicins example be ex-
estcd upon the masses /: Will the latter
net follow 10 the footsteps OF their lenders
until corruption and Generalization spread
like great pcs'ilcncc throughout the land
Then what will be the condition Of society
On oil sides 10 manifest the fruit Of the
sorruption that has existed for several
years past 10 high places. Crime in every
phase (bribcry. fraud, murder, robbery
il rampant Throughout. the land. The
country is fast becoming a paudmonium
and 10 rushing on with railroad speed to
moral destruction. and unless check,
God only knows where il will end.
Nseh has been said about " reform y
Asriss tbe past year. and many reform.
hsvs been promised by ,hoss in power
but thus far none Of those promises have
bssn fsl6llvd. II reform is ever brough,
abeus !. must be done BY ,hs people them.
selves. Tho'c Who have proved them.
selves unworthy Of the positions they oc.
supy must bc ousted from those positions.
and men chosen who will DO faithful tc
their trust. aud those who abet crime BY
rsfssiog to exercise the power belonging
TO them and punish the evil.doer, mus. bs
removed from tho place they disgrace and
their places 6Iled by men who will mol
eountsnsnce evil in any phase.