Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-27
INDlsCRiMINA7E CENSURE OF Of
FICE- HOLDERS.

the public mind and produce crop OF
evils of large magnitude. Denunciations
of office-holders to be effective must be
based upon truth. There must be the
same discrimination exercised in dealing
with them for corruption or unfaithiul-
ness as in dealing with any other class OF
persons in community. Indiscriminate
censure of any class works mischief in
stead of curing it. The good are placed
on level with the bad. The faithful Of
ficer is debased, the rogue stands on the
same plane with the honest man. The IN
nocent suffers, the guilty escapes.
IF other classes were denounced for the
sins of individuals belonging to them as
office-holders are, there would be no conf
dence in anybody or anything. Suppose
that ministers of the gospel were treated
as class in this manner, where would be
the man among them that could escape
the faint of corruptionP Every pulpit
would be suspected of being the hiding
place of crime. The church would be re-
garded with distrust, and the gospel it
self would cease to attract listeners. De-
nounce the courts in the same sweeping
manner, and down they must go in the
dirt. and civilization return again to bar
barism and the rule of the knife or
bludgeon. Accuse everybody engaged
in traffic with dishonesty because one
cheats, and of course the effect is to de-
grade the whole class.
Now let office holders be treated with
the same charity and consideration that
other classes are. AS general thing the
Office holders of the republican party in
Maine are men of fair characters. We
challenge an investigation in this respect,
take them man by man, and invite a com
parison between them and those who held
office under democratic administrations
state or national. 1t is not possible that
all office-holders are without blemish.
There will be some black sheep. let par
ties and the appointing power do the best
they can, just as base men sometimes are
found in pulpits and on the bench. The
morale Of the republican party is high,
and its office-holders as class correspond
to that standard. Take this example to
illustrate the difference between the dem
ocratic and republican parties: The DEM
ocratic party does not and never did take
stand in favor of temperance. 1t was
considered no disparagement to man as
an ofiice-holder in that party if he was an
Incorporate man. The republican party
sustains temperance in its platforms and
in the legislature, and intemperance is a
bar to the promotion of individuals to Of
fee in the republican organization. The
practical result is seen in our custom
houses, where the most prominent class
Of ofice-holders in the State under the
general government is found. In demo-
cratic times there was not custom house
in this State where drinking Intoxicating
liquors was not the rule. Generally the
officers drank, and kept liberal supply
on hand for convivial and electioneering
purposes. 1t was required Of them to do
so. It was democratic to drink. An Off
Ger was considered niggardly who did not
furnish liquor to guests. In the same
custom houses under republican office
holders the rule of temperance prevails
from Kittery to Quoddy. When Abraham
Lincoln became President and controlled
the appointments to Office the reign of
temperance began among the Office
holders in Maine, and although excep-
tons are unavoidable that rule continues
to this day. So much as contrast be-
tween democratic and republican Office
holders
But If we were to believe what we see
In some newspapers we should have to
believe that republican Office holders are
the scum of creation. Beginning with
our senators, whose private and public
characters are above reproach, we should
be obliged to condemn all who hold office.
We are told that all the ce-holders in
the State are in league against the people
TO elect Mr.. Hamlin again to the United
States Senate. and yet one Of Mr. Ham
Inns competitors holds the most impor-
tant Office in the State in the disposal of
the President of the United States We
claim that such misrepresentation are I'M
justifiable. wrong, and can only result in
evil to the community which unfortunate
ly believes them. We regret that papers
claiming large share of honesty. and
from which tair statements are expected
by their readers, join IN the inconsiderate,
rash and sweeping abuse of ofiice-holders.
We have no objection to their speaking
the truth, but we do object to their poison
ing the public mind by assertions not in
agreement with facts. We trust the in
telligence of their readers viii not be de-
ceiyed.
DEMOCRATIC ANNOYANCE or RE
PUBLICAN MEETINGS.
We are always glad TO learn of the pres
ence of democrats at republican meetings