National Republican., 1873-02-04
LET THERE BE FAIR PLAY.

Yesterday morning, In commenting upon
the credit mobilier Investigations, the scan
dals, the ordinations and recriminations to
which they have given rise, we insisted that,
for the interests Of the country, of the Gov
ernment aud Of the Republican party the
gentlemen who arc charged with this grave
and delicate task should do their whole duty
In the premisos, and that when the time
comes for the party to take action II should
not hesitate to take II, no matter how un-
welcome or unpleasant II may be. We are
glad that the same sentiment appears TO ami
mate the Republican press, or what Is termed
the party press, everywhere. The New York
Times OF yesterday, for instance, says; 1.-THE
labors Of Judge Poand's investigating com
mittee are drawing to a close, and 1t lie prob
able that the testimony will all be in shortly,
and the report promptly submitted. Thls
report will be awaited with great interest.
1t, preparation offers to the able men who
arc on the committee an opportunity to per
form service to the nation which, II not
agreeable, will be valuable. What
is needed, above all things, Is a direct, ex-
pllclt and full statement of the facts proven,
and the bearing they have either on the pre-
ylous action Of Congress or on the character
Of the Congressman concerned. Il
the stock was an improper one for Congress.
men to hold, let the committee state thai
conclusion and the reasons for II. II thert
has been a corrupt interest on the part OF the
managers Of the company or any Of them
followed by any acts iu the accomplishment
Of that lntenL that ought to be known. Ii
any Congressman connlved In any way a,
such acts, let him be pointed out. II any
Congressman endeayorcd to evade any direcl
or reasonable requirement Of his position, lc,
him be named and his course described"
This Is the true and correct ground to take
and we are glad that so prominent paper IL
the Republican party has taken 1t. Indeed
IL Is difllcult to see how 1t, as a representa-.
tive Of Republican ideas and policy, coulG
have taken any other course. 1t Ia true that
Republicans are mainly concerned in tht
credit mObiicr business; although when al
the evidence Is In and the report written We
are certain that 1t will be found that til,
Democrats corruptly concerned in II ar,
numerous DIrunt Is New York Demo-
cTat. No Republican was so unblushlng anG
so open and barefaced In his propositions II,
James Brooks. No Republican gloried In II
as Boyer glOred In It. No Republican de-
manded stock to take care Of the Republican
side Of the House as Mr.. Brooks did to taxi
care Of the Democracy. But, Us the Times
says, what the country expects and what the
Republican majority In the House VIC art
certain will demand, Ia that each mans part
and connection with the entire proceeding
should be pointed out clearly and explicitly.
There should he no ifs and "buts" about IT,
there should be no attempt to shield any one,
no matter how high his position or how great
and distinguished his past services and pre-
vious life. The country wants the whole
truth and any effort to suppress 1t, or por-
tion Of 1t, will be the worst blow that would
he struck at the country.
The Republican party has come upon a
grave and important crisis In its history, and
It must meet 1t with the courage, the herolsm
the honor and the honesty that have charac-
terized 1t at every stop Of Its progress. II
men holding high rank In Its councils have
sinned let that fact be known aud let the
party punish them; but above all things let
us have fair play. The party press has de-
nounced large number OF men, as we think,
unjusty. Senatorial correspondents OF sem
satiOnal papers have thrown so many drag
nets and hauled In the innocent and the guilty
together. It is for the committee to set the
public right, to sift the mass of contradictory
testimony that has been printed, and which
now only confuscs and bewilders. Let us
have the facls-nOt one word added or one
word taken away. And then let us have the
honest fair, impartial judgment Of the House
and OF the Republican party in the House.
That Is demanded by every consideration Of
honor patriotism and sound party doctrine
Above ALL IL Is demanded by the genius and
spirit Of the Republican party. Republican
ideas and principles are now triumphant
everywhere. Our platform Of 1850 has be-
come part and parcel Of the fundamental law.
In all the history Of the world no party pre-
sents record Of such marvellous achieve
ments. The years Of usefulness and glory
before II are almost illimtable, II It shall only
have the courage and the wisdom to do what
Is right, 10 meet each question as 1t should be
met. These credit mObllier Investigations in
vOlyc grave duties and responsibilities, and
1t Is to be hoped that the Republican party
will zee to 1t that their close mark the begin
ming Of a new lease Of life and usefulness.