New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-14


"believe springs from q distorted virtue. "
The phrase very happily describes the
most conspicuous weakness in the Presidents
character; the quality that has been most fatal
to the success and popularity OF his admlstra-
ton; and it describes as well one of the most
prolific sources of political corruption, and one
of the most powerful elements OK strength In
the constitution and perpetuatiOn OF corrupt
Rings. "Sticking to ones friends Is
virtue. It has i'm it certain quality OF
chivalry that is never without great attrac-
tons even for the most refined and plllo-
sophie natures, and it suggests naturally a
degree of self-denial that is admirable and OF
faith in human nature that disarms hostility.
1t is the one virtue-knOwn strangely enough
i'm that relation as "hOnOr"-amOnS thieves.
When we say "thcre's honor among
thieves" we mean simply that thieves
stick to their fIends-that they do not
"throw them off" or "give them away"-or do
any other of the things which in that vocabu-
larry mean putting truth. honor or honesty
above friendship or counting the rights OF the
community as of any weight or consequence
against the qualification of the vicious propen-
sites of "friend."
TO stand by ones friends is naturally enough
considered virtue among thieves. 1t is not
difficult to understand that among the MEM
bers, say of q Tweed Ring, Canal Ring, or
an Indian Ring, it would be virtue more
highly priced than any other. But it is not a
comfort to think that it is the essential virtue
demanded of successful politicians Not the
only quality required, perhaps, but always the
first. ale sticks to his friends" Who has
not heard it in political conventions when cam
dilates were being urged for Office till he was
fairly sick of the sound of it That is what
fills the Hobbies of conventions with gangs OF
red-mouhed loafers that packs caucuscs and
primaries that cheats in the ballot and swindcs
in the count; that makes elections a mockery
and legislation farce; that does, III short all
manner of mischief in all manner OF ways
it's to get somebody into office who "tal,es care
"of his friend.r And these idle foul- mouthcd
yagabonds are the "frcnds' to be taken care
of. That's the story When some one said
Tweed was thief, the unhnng scoindrcls and
the silly-patcd fools whom he numbered IN his
following said all at once, as if that answered
every thing "0h, we'll. he sticks to his friends"
So the lawyers and lobbyist, and the whole
lazy gang of retaners aud dependents OF the
Canal Ring say, when thc Facts are
brought ont showing how the Ring has
robbed the State of millions III the most
impudcnt and unblushing manner, Yes, but
they re good fellows; they know their
" friends" And so it goes, month after month
and year after year. Men are nominated and
elected to be Governors, and congressman and
Senators. and TO all sorts of official position
oil r.,ti no
TO discharge those official trusts themselves, or
are men who will secure faithful and efficient
service for the State! By 40 means. They
are chosen by their - friends" upon the under
standing tliat-wlatevcr becomes of the state
the friends" are to be remembered.
In this letter to the President, after citing
evidence sufficient to warrant Mr.. Delanos
removal, Mir. Welsh says III recognition OF this
state of things, Il an not among those who
"have censurcd yOu So stIongl, f0r refusing
"tO remove Secretary Delano when he be-
"came justly liable to evil report. You
allowed him to leave the Department of
the Interior in charge OF subordinatcs
for months together. that he might canvass the
country and secure your reelection To the
"Presidcncy His efficient services entitled
CHM under the rules of all political parties,
"to claim continuance Of Office unless lie
committed some gross miolcmcanor OF pos
"sibly some criminal act In other words.
the President was not 10 consider the wants
of the Government or the demands of the SER
vice, but simply TO "remOve for his friends y
and especially Mr.. Delano. And this too il
distorted virtue" 1t is a happy phrase. 1t
describes the principal stock i'll trade of the
successful politician and it covers ali the CAPT
tai of the thief. But we have had enough of
this "dstortcd virtue" for the present.
There's pretty general desire abroad now
for public officers who are known for SOME
thing else than merely standing by their
f,i.uJa