The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10

| tluSJ by al Uut tno Neiy io"s Souiu 6cuIcoiy
form On opinion on the guilt Of the criminals
until long after the plumber was secured.
The frauds on the internal revenue tell
the same sickening story Of treachery,
triumphant stealing and increased public
apathy. A vicarious sacrifice satisfied the
little public spirit LETT Carpet-baggism, with
its atrocious usurpation and spoliation, found
its defenders as naturally as the army de-
frauders and revenue defaulters 1t had its
convenient offset in Ku Kluxism, which
found its defenders as naturally in the
opposition press. To do lasting service to
the carpet-baggers it was thought enough to
throw mud at the Ku Klux; for the contrary
effect the treatment was simply reversed
but the partisan press never dared to take
the Just course of condemning both and call
ing on the friends of good government to
put stop to both So with the Louisiana
imbroglio. The press of either party con-
tents itself with championing the Legislature
which it believes represents its partisans,
careless of the shame which continuance of
the burlesque upon popular government
brings to the nation. In our own
State, too, did not the Tammany "Ring"
frauds find their specious defer ders in
the democratic press and has not the press
of the dominant party here, since the over
throw of the "Ring," labored sedulously to
turn what should be the gain of the people
into the gain Of its associate politicians Of the
same stripe, and of the hungriest order?
The election frauds of 1868 and 1870 in
New York found their democratic press de-
Tenders the election frauds of 1872 in Penn
| sylvania and the Southern States found their
champions in the republican press. The
Credit Mobilier frauds and perjuries-whic
| brought to the dust men once so
highly esteemed-are smoothed over as
much as possible by the republic
con press, simply because the ma
jority of the slaughtered are republicans.
When one democrat was included it can be
recalled how fercely the most virulent among
them few at his throat View the Caldwell
case and the Pomeroy case. These men have
their partisans yet. We may step down from
politics and see how, even in murder, the
partisan press can fight over corpse.
Now what is the remedy? 1t is this.
Let the press all over the country, North,
South, East and West, in this crisis, fling off
that yoke which binds it to the sins, the
crimes and the frauds of any and all parties.
1t might be too much at once to ask them to
step boldly into the ranks of the indepen-
dent press in the high and full sense OF
the term; but, if it will not stand aside alto
%o1xa
sides against dishonesty without any sac
rifce that honorable men should regret.
We ask the entire press to unite in the de-
nunciation of corruption in every rank and
circle, political or social, republican or demo-
cratic. The Tammany ''ring'' should be
prosecuted in reality, and the Credit Mobilier
offenders followed to the limits of the
law. Offenders of every class should be
promptly presented, and the expulsion of the
guilty Congressman demanded Others who
can only be reached by Impeachment should be
dealt with in that way. It is work in which
all journals can unite which have the faintest
| claim to independence. II all not tied neck
and heels to the Juggernaut of corruption and
craftsmanship would fling small issues and
petty personal differences away, and join
heartily in the work we propose, the battle for
right and honesty could be gained in a day, and
every blackmailer and corruptionist, the briber
and the bribed, be driven into disgrace and
retirement When the liberty of the citizen
was threatened in the Orange procession
case, the united voice of the press
forced that liberty to be respected at
any cost. When Sumter was fred upon
the press Of the North rallied in o moment
of patriotic exaltation to the Stars and Stripes,
and the magnificent result is known. The
danger now is quite as grave and ten times
more subtle. The press by vigorous, united
front can stem it, Will it prove worthy of its
great trust and let honesty, worth
and truth be its party now and henceforth?
1t is a duty and necessity. Will the press Of
the country recognize the latter and oct up to
the former?