National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-16

they were, they were more becoming
than this utter abjuration Of all princi-
pies. You may not like to employ, but
you do not wholly despise, the zealot
who consistently asserts that sarsspa-
rilla viii cure every disease and so urges
it upon every patient; but who can re-
spect the charlatan who persistently
cries to the sick, "give me your money
and you may take what remedies you
please ?"
When in 1850 Democrats said, Con
tinue us in power and we will f1eck the
Territories with slavery )" when in 1884
they said, "restore us to power and we
will barter with rebels, giving freedom
for peace" when in 1858 they said
again, "restore us to power and we will
abrogate three great amendments to the
Constitution, secure government to
white men, and return slavery to col
ored men, it could only be replied that
such invitations were very unattractive.
But when in 1872 they cried, restore
10 W OAuCC OAlCO LuOLO anu nC VIII w
everything that anybody wants DONE"
the invitation was utterly repulsive.
And when they supplement this
brazen Indifference to principle by
a stolid indifference to truth when,
weary Of opposing the measures Of the
majority, they combine to assail their
characters when they abandon false
reasoning only to resort to false asser-
ton, they exhibit an opposition hard If
not impossible to parallel.
And yet that opposition, while itnever
was so bad, was never so dangerous as
now. People can better Judge the mer-
its of a measure than the merits of
man. They can more readily detect
fallacious argument than a false state
ment. When the opposition denounced
as misguided statesmen,
the people could safely compare our
measures with theirs, and judge which
were best. But when they denonnce
as thieves it is not so easy
to try the truth of the assertion. Besides
two circumstances give slight color to
that allegation. First. Republicans have
possession of the Government, and have
the best chance to peculate. Second.
It has been the especial labor Of the
present Administration to detect and
punish peculation. Some cases have been
found.
He was a great stateman, as well as
great poet, who made Cassius say:
In such time as this It is not meet
That every nice ofIense should bear his CON-
ment''
However specious that theory may
sound, many great rulers have been COM
oelled in turbulent times to practice |
lpon it. William III was an honest |
He had a world to fght5 |
md he was compelled to be very lenient
,oward the treasons Of Godolphin and
Marlborough. He was slow to punish |
he entertainments of Torrington, and |
le never did punish the manifold rascal
ties Of Oxford. During the struggle
md excitement which attended the re-
)ellion some bad men found their way
nto public employments. Mr.. Lincoln's
administration was too much occupied
Nth graver matters to keep strict watch
# every individual offender. The adj
ninistration which succeeded was quite
s uuprepared for that duty. Congress
vas then much absorbed in the great
york Of reconstruction, and the Presi-
ent was not happily fitted to criticise
ficial misconduct. But the present
administration has no exemption from
hat work. If tits not attended to now,
he Administration, and not the times,
aust be held responsible. But it is at
ended to. 1t is prosecuted with that
1hexible energy which has character
zed every labor led by President Grant.
ONE offenses have been exposed. And
very time a rogue has been punished
be opposition has shouted: "See how
orrupt Republicans arep' 1t is as if,
Thenever a surgeon removes tumor
rom his patient the mob should shout:
How very rotten the doctor must bep'
o, this unfinching reform is prosecuted
/ the risk Of this twofold peril: First.
very time we remove rascal We lend
Iausibility to Democratic calumny.
econd. Every time we punish one we
lake Democrat. For fewyears that
arty has been recruited, not only by
lose knaves we have dismissed from
flee, but by still larger number who
ave been unable to get Office. 1t is not
npossible that by this process they may
| time recover a majority. Good men
IN not, without uDeasiness, contem-
ate the possibility Of the country once
ore falling into the control Of that
lrty, when, in addition to the devils
hich always paralyzed it for any noble !
fort, it shall have been REINFORCED by
! the unclean spirits expelled from the
epublican party.
INTERNAL REFORM.
The success which has attended the '
fort Of this Administration to effect I
ternal reform is forcibly indicated, but
lily partially measured, by these facts: I
First. In thirteen wears It has not once '