The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-03

Scandals In Politics.
The eagerness with which the republican
candidates for the Presidency are striving to
cut each Others Threats in this preliminary
canvass for the Presidency suggests some re-
Elections which may not be inopportune
What is the republican party to gain by de-
monstrating that all its leaders are scamps !?
If it can be shown, for instance, that Blaine
has been as bad as Colfax in the bond bust
ness; that he shared in ths plumber Of the
Treasury by the Pacific railways; that Conk-
ling was engaged in the Emma mine; that
Morton was robbing the treasury of Indiana
at the time when we thought he was saving
the honor of that noble State; that Bristow is
vulgar and thieving claim agent, who has
used his place to run jobs through the
Treasury-what is the inference, so far as the
party is concerned? Namely, that it is alto
gether corrupt; that the tree from which such
fruits can spring is a upas tree, and that it
should be cut down as one that cumbereth
the ground.
We have always felt that corruption and
jobbery are not characteristic of any party;
that there are good and bad men in every
party, and that jobbery in Washington is .
matter of men and not Of political organiza-
tions. In support of this view it has been
seen in every investigation that the dis
closures affected democrats and republicans
alike. In the Credit Mobilier matter the
resolution of expulsion of members of the
House involved one democrat and one repub-
lican. The Belknap business has thus far
brought down one republican Secretary of
War and one democratic candidate for the
Presidency-Mr Pendleton. The Washing
ton Ring investigation has discovered two
democrats in the gang-Eldridge, of Wiscon-
sin, and Young, OF Georgia. In fact, there
has not been an inquiry which has not in
volved both parties. This is natural SO long
rs human nature is what it is. Men do not
steal because they accept the teachings Of
jefferson, nor are they honest because they
follow the flag of Lincoln.
The charges against Blaine, Morton and
Bristow are the unpleasantest features of the
canvass. We have studied these charges
carefully, and we are surprised that any of
them should have moments consideration
MI. Bristow seems to have done his duty in
every case where his honor is now impugned.
Mr.. Morton, so far from deserving censure
for his action as Governor of Indiana, where
he held the State true to the Union in spite
of q copperhead majority which had deter
mined upon stopping all war supplies, de-
serves lasting renown. This action will be
remembered to his honor as one of the brave
deeds of the war long after the burning
questions Of this hour are forgotten. To in
vestigate that would do the democrats about
as much good as if they were to investigate
the battle of Gettysburg and the capture Of
Richmond. So far as the charges against
Mr.. Blaine are concerned we do not see the
shadow of evidence upon which to convict
him of any dereliction Of duty. One man
says to another that he heard a third man
say that certain bonds were given to Mr..
Blaine to buy his influence as Speaker and
member of Congress If evidence like this
is to be entertained when the honor of our
statesmen is involved there is not a reputa-
ton in the country that is safe.
Mr.. Morton, Mr.. Bristow and Mr.. Blaine
are gentlemen who belong to the history Of
the time, men in whose genius and achieve
ments we should all take pride We may
have our own opinions as to their fitness for
high place; we may think that Morton is
too desperate in his views of many questions
to be trusted in the White House we may
think that Bristow is too young and too in
considerate for the duties of this supreme
Office; we may feel that Blaine is too much
Of trimmer and politician but this does
not justify us in assuming as consequence
that they are all corrupt, bad, wicked men,
who use their Offices for personal gain; who
are vulgar jobbers; who have forfeited the
confidence Of the people, and who should be
in jail. Let us take some things for granted
in dealing with our public officers, and
among them this, that when men attain the
eminence of Morton, Bristow and Blaine
they are not as a general thing corrupt.
Until corruption is proven incontestably let
us at least give them the benefit of their
services and their fame.