The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-05-17
THE RESPOvsTBTLfTY or TIE REPUB-
LIC4N PARTY.

THE RESPONSIBfLfTF or TIE hEA'Ob-
LIC4N PARTY.
For some months past the Confederate
House Of. Representatives now sitting in
Washington, composed of large number
OF members formerly engaged in the Rebel
lion, with the ssergeant-at-arms' of the Confed-
crate Congress MS their door keeper, and until
recently having Clerk who named his child
In honor of j. Wilkes Bootl,--has been prin-
cipally engaged in investigating the acts OF
the Republican officials ard particularly the
acts of prominent Republicans who are likely
to be dangerous opponents in the PRESIDENTIAL
race That there is not so much desire TO
correct abuses as to make political capital Is
plainly to be seen from the manner OF con-
tuciag the investigations, which are carried
on secretly so that if, las is asserted has been
the case number Of times)" Democratic
statesman y is discovered Mt the bottom, the
matter may be quietly dropped, while II some
living blackguard tells one of these one-sided
secret investigating committees some second
hand story derogatory to the character OF some
Republican of standing las was the case twice
with Secretary Bristow) it is at once flung out
to the carrion-press to feed upon and lie
about.
Outside of the revelations duplicating Sec
rotary 3elknap (which also brought to light
some damaging revelations in regard to a
prominent Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent,) the game captured has been rather
small; and no justification has been shown
for the besmirching Of the honorable charac-
tors of prominent men by Investigations bascd
on idle rumors circulated By men of bankrupt
character. 1t is the first time, we believe, in
the history of the country, when concerted
attempt has been made by party to make
political capital by such questionable means,
The Republican party does not objec. to in
yestigation, evenif it suffers by 1t, il it Is
based upon some evidence to Justify it, but 1t
has n right to object (as one would suppose
all honorable men would) to casting shade
on untarnished names by wholesale investi-
cations on idle rumor.
That some things have been broughs TO
light which are dishonest and disgraceful, all
will agree, hut that they are exceptionally
great beyond other administrations in years
past, taking the corrupting influences always
and everywhere incident to war into acconnt)
we deny. But the party does not Justify these
acts-t feels mortified and disgraced by them,
and desires the punishment Of the guilty
Whatever individual members of the party
who have betrayed the party confidence may
have done, the party, as II party is sound and
true to the principles Of honesty and integr-
ty. The very fact that few unworthy ones
have dishohored the confidence of those who
have honored them, will make the party more
careful of its appointments in the future
The spirit which now animates it, (Which as
to its members will bear favorable comparison
in intelligence and moral character with the
Democracy any day and anywhcre) shows that
1T intends to svindicate itself FROM the least
suspicion Of completely with fraud. The can.
: didate nominated ut Cincinnati will be one
that no honest man win fear to vote for, and
who will be guaranty that no Jobs or
rings" win be knowingly allowed
We contend, then, that the Republican par
~ is in no wise responsible in a moral sense,
for the acts Of men whose conduct 1t totally
disapproves and disallows. 1t is simply in
the position of a bank whose president, for
instance abuses its confidence and embezzles
its funds, Certainly the stockholders and
directors who appointed him, believed him to
be honest, could not be held morally respon-
sible for his shortcomings.
Notwithstanding all the atteTptso of the De-
mocratic Congress to bcfog the people, they
see this matter in its true light, and the people
have shown by their votes AZ the ballot box
in the recent elections that they still have con-
fidence in the grand old party that has re-
deemed the nation, notwithstanding that a
few have betrayed its confidence and cast
reproach ppoD it.,