Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-24
OmciaI Thieres in Maine.

Official Thfeces Ia Maine.
Il appears only Just and consistent that
the charges OF theft and thieves should
be confined TO Name in the present can
yass. None but Stale officers are to be
voted for at the coming election. None
of the officers of the General Govern
ment can be in the least affected by
arraiguiug them before the bar Of public
opinion. Their merits or dement's cannot
in any marked degree be changed by any
action which the people may see fit to
take, in the election about TO take place.
The charge of "thieving juuto." 50
often applied to the Republicans of Maine,
ought TO be fixed on somebody, some
where and at some specified time. To
uake this general charge and give no
name of any man in office or candidate
for office. is simply SANDER unworthy
OF notice. II there are any thieves in
office now. or any candidates of that
character, let the proof be produced, and
Republicans will be as ready 20 discard
them as Democrats. The people are not
yet so corrupt as to tolerate or desire dis
honest men in official station.
The war did produce some Republican
as well as Democratic rascals. Maine
did not esSpe the dire effects OF Jeffs
Rebellion. she lost heavily by the
treachery and thievery OF Buchanans
Cabinet as well rs by the bloody conflict
which slavery and its sympa.hizers in.
augura.ed. Jacksou's Administration
also suffered on account OF the terrible
defs,cation Of Swartwout, Collector Of
New York, by whom the L, 5 Treasury
loSt 500. 1000. The city Of New York,
under Democratic authority has been
sYiuUed out Of $2j,OOo.O 900 by the dem
ocrat Tweed and his ring Of thieves; aud
through the iechuicaliiies OF law, as con-
s,rued by . Court OF Democratic judges
and q Democratic Governor, be Is deliver
Cd from punishment. and the people have
10 remedy against this most gigantic
swinde Of ancient or modern times.
This simply shows that ihieying is not
entirely q modern invention, bu: is con.
s,autly recurring evil against which no
wisdom can guard and no party can
eH;erminate. fall the thieving done by
President Grants officials were embodied
in one grand larceny j: would not equal
that Of Svartwout; and il would not be
the twenty part as large as the
Tweed steal, which must be borne by
single city.
Destiny seems to bring around these
terrible calamities. which every Just man
lamen's, and which every party should
condemn, and which the people would
no; tolerate If they could prevent.
But the question before the people OF
Maine is not who stole. ten years ago, a
Certain amount Of money, or who swim.
died the government out OF lis Jus; dues
ard claims. These swindles are outlawed
by the statute of limitations and what
is worse the best investigating committees
that could be appointed, could only find
some shadowy glimpses OF the sSindlers.
This does not justify the swindle. whether
done by Democratic or Republican col
fusion. On the contrary. these transac
lions deserve and receive the condemna-
ton Of every honest man.
This general charge Of theft.unsubstan.
tia,ed as it is by any proof. is too shallow
and baseless 10 arrest the attention Of any
rational man. Ii any OF the Republican
Fostmasters OF Maine or The Revenue
officers, or any of the State or County
officers have stolen or embezzled the
funds OF the people; or if any of the
candidates 10 be elected are likely to do
the same thing. their names ought TO be
placed before he people. Ii any snch
tibet can De pointed out By any Demo
cratic paper. he shall have the benefit OF
our advertisement. But if no such names
Can be giveO-as Stewart aud Hayden
are given by the Republicans-the
atrocious false charge should be with.
drawn.