The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-09-05

ahu WHOsc SUCCESS uOtS uOt utptuu
upon the introduction of radical new
methods and projecting new enterprises,
but upon the industry, skill, economy,
and integrity in the management of his
affairs. Reforms in administration are
always possible, and should be dill
gently sought for, just as every wise
business man may improve from time to
time in the manner of carrying on his
regular business.
In illustration of the enormous growth
and development of the country under
Republican administration, L may refer
to the fact that on the 1st of January,
1873, there were in operation in the
United States 81, 122 miles of railroad,
and that of this number over 10000
miles had been built since the beginning
of the war, at cost of not less than
81 800, 100000. And the great fact,
which the most stupid cannot deny, is,
that from the time the Republican party
came into power up to the present day,
Notwithstanding the war of the rebellion
"a Democratic legacy-with all its
dreadful waste of blood and treasure,
the nation has fourished, grown, and
prospered as it never did before, and as
no other nation 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 hillocks raised by the prairie dogs
compared with Pixies Peak and the
mighty range of snow-clad mountains
of Colorado.
To the general charge of corruption
in the Republican party / have returned
general denial. That there are corrupt
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 continues
fallible and imperfect, there will be
weakness and corruption among the
members of every human organization.
Even in this good old county of Athens
you can scarce find congregation
black sheep.
Those who charge and believe in uni
versal corruption are themselves most
likely to be corrupt, for out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh and when we hear brawling
demagogue on the stump denouucing
Republican officials as generally cor
rupt, the chances are that man will be n
thief at the first opportunity.
The standard of public morals is to-
day higher in this country than it has
ever been before. OF this l am salts
fed 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, notwithstand.
ing the war, with all its consequences
and demoralizations, they have been
greatly elevated and improved. Let il
be understood that the investigation OF
the Credit Mobilier, and all others that
have taken place, were ordered by o
Republican House and Senate, upon the
motion and at the instance of Republic
can members.
1t is not that Congress is more cor.
rupt than formerly, for in my judgment
it is less so; but it is that public opin
ion demands higher standard of recti
tude on the part of public men than was
ever before exacted. Let it be said Of
the Republican party, as matter o.
simple justice, that this great progress,
has been under its domination.
There was less intemperance in the
last Congress than in any one that evel
before assembled in the capital. Ii
that respect there has been marked
improvement III the last ten years. A,
to gambling, l know not of a single Sen
ator who is now charged as gambler
whereas we well remember that in forme
times some of those who stood first il
the ranks OF party, and rated highest TO
intellectual ability, were known IS gam
blers who spent many of their nights
and even their days, at the gaming
table.
There have been one or two fagran
cases of bribery in Senatorial elections
but upon these the seal of general con
donation has been set so deeply-burn
in, as it were, with iron-and public at
tention has been so profoundly awakened
to the enormity of the crime, that w
cannot doubt that, upon this subject
public morals and those of deliberativ
bodies have been elevated and advanced
1t was once said by distinguish,
statesman that no danger was to be ap
pretended from error as long as trutl
was left free to combat it. 1t may b.
said that no danger is to be apprehend
ed from corruption as long rs politica
parties are free and prompt in its inves
tigation and punishment. While In
man nature remains weak and fallible
as it now is, there will be corruption
and shortcomings but while there i
public virtue to drag the offenders t.
light, the patriotic need not be alarmed
for the country. We claim that tn
Republican party has been pre-eminent
ly distinguished for its self investiga
fion and publication that when it ha
found an unworthy member it has no
failed to drag him before the publ
gaze and cast him out. The Democrat
ic party of other times was never dis
tinguished for this virtue, and long be
fore it had passed from power had be
come utterly incapable of its exercise
That virtue is its own reward is q
, true in politics as in any other sphere {
life. That honesty is the best policy
J as true for parties as for individuals
| and will tell you little secret, whic
} the Democratic party in the days of II
power never discovered, and fear me-
er will, and that is, that the best wa