Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-08-13

denounce Republicans as thieves 1T ls
not so easy to try the truth of the
assertion. Besides two clrcumstan-
ces give slight color to that allega-
ton. E rst. Republicans have pos
session of the Government, and have
the best chance to peculate. Second.
1t has been the especial labor of the
present Administration to detect and
punish peculatlon. Some cases have
been found.
He was great stateman, as we'll
as a great poet, who made Casslus
say
s'In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice ohense should bear his comment
However specious that theory
may sound, many great rulers have
been compelled in turbulent times to
practice upon it. William Ill was
an honest magistrate. lie had a
world to fight, and he was compelled
to be very lenient toward the trea-
son Of Godolphin and Marlborough.
He was slow to punish the embezzle-
ments of Torrlngton, and he never
did punish the manifold rascalities
of Oxford. During the struggle and
excitement which attended the re-
bellion some bad men found their
way into public employments. Mr..
Lincoln's administration was too
much occupied with graver matters
to keep strict watch of every indi-
vidual offender. The administration
which succeeded was quite unprepar-
cd for that duty. Congress was
then much absorbed in the great
work Of reconstruction, and the
President was not happily fitted to
criticise official misconduct. But
the present administration has no
exemption from that work. If it is
not attended to now, the Admins
tration, and not the times, must be
held responsible. But it is attended
to. 1t is prosecuted with that infex-
ibie energy which has characterized
every labor led by President Grant.
Some offenses have been exposed.
And every time rogue has been
punished the opposition has shouted:
"See how corrupt Republicans are !"
1t Is as IT, whenever surgeon re-
moves tumor from his patient the
mob should shout: Chow very rot
ten the doctor must bel' SO, this
unfinching reform is prosecuted at
the risk of this twofold peril First.
Every time we remove a rascal we
lend plausibility to Democratic cal
jimmy. Second. Every time we
punish one we make Democrat.
For few years that party has been
recruited, not only by those knaves
we have dismissed from office, but
by still larger number who have
been unable to get Office. 1t is not
impossible that by this process they
may in time recover majority.
Good men can not, without uneasi-
ness, contemplate the possibility of
the country once more falling into
the control af that party, when in
addition to the devils which always
paralyzed il for any noble effort, it
shall have been REINFORCED by all
the unclean spirits expelled from the
Republican party.
INTERNAL REFORM.
The success which has attended
the effort of this Administration to
effect internal reform is forcibly in
dictated, bat only partially measured,
by these facts:
First. In thirteen years it has not
once been forced to resort to loans
except by the exigencies of war.
Our rivals in popular favor, as has
been seen, repeatedly resorted 10
loans in time Of peace.
Second. In six years taxes have
been RENTED at various times
amounting to moro than three hun
dred millions annually.
Third. The principal Of the pub
lie debt has been reduced in the same
time by the sum Of three hundred
aud fifty-fve million dollars.
Fourth. The Treasury note has
been appreciated from 76 2-1O per
cent, its gold value in March, 1869,
to SO 2-10 per cent, its gold value
in March last.
Fifth. In spite Of the financial
disasters which overlook the coun-
try in September, 1873, the public
debt was diminished nearly five mil
lions during the fiscal year just end
ed.
Sixth. The cost of the Govern
ment, excluding expenditures for
improvements and disbursements
made necessary to meet obligations
imposed on US by the rebellion, was
less per capita during the last fiscal
year than during the year ending
June 80, 1860.
Bad men, doubtless, are still left in
the Republican party, as bad men
are in the Democratic party. So
good men are in both parties. The
difference is this: In spite of the
bad men in tho former, it has in
thirteen years raised the country
higher in true national greatness
than any country was ever raised be-
fore in the same length of time
while, because of bad men in the
other party, the country constantly
declined in character and dignity
while it had control A party bet
ter than either, lottier in its aspira>
tons, wiser in its methods, bolder in
its endeavors, is unquestionabIy de-
sirable. Such a party might be at
tanned, if the wise, the upright, and
the patriotic in the Democratic ranks
would unite themselves with the like
in the Republican organization. But
| l. g, L
by reinforcing the etfete Democracy,
which has not achieved a single no
BILE end, nor set before the country
single noble aim in forty years, with
all the reckless adventurers and
hungry pIace-hunters who in former
years focked to the Republican par
ty, not to aid its enterprise, but to
fatten on its strength.
ELECT REPUBLICANS.