The Portland daily press., 1876-02-12
Contrasts.

Somehow this investigation business lags,
and the uncharitable thought intrudes itself
that the Democrats prefer indulging in vague
insinuations and monstrous charges as form
less as chaos to setting on foot examinations
which may result in the dsprova of their
accusations. For months they have been
telling us that the national honor is tarnished
by the retention of Mr.. Schenk at the court
of st. James; but it was left for Republi-
can, Mr.. Pierce of Massachusetts,, to move an
inquiry into the scandal. For years they
have been telling us that the civil service
was reeking with corruption, and that the
government money stolen by dishonest
officials reached an appalling sum total; but
it was left for Republican, Senator Sherman
of Ohio, to shape practical resolution call
ing upon the Treasury for full statement of
balances due the government by defaulters
1t is unfortunate for the Democrats that so
many of their guns have been spiked. But
the truth is the Republicans have been so
thorough in their exposure of frauds that
little remains to investigate-and that little
the Republican executive and legislators are
honestly bent on searching out The hollow
ness of Democratic pretences is clearly shown
by the fact that the practical propositions for
investigation and reform have originated on
the administration side of Congress. and that
the measures to carry them into effect have
been unhesitatingly taken by the Republican
administration. Indeed the Republican party
has strictly obeyed the Scriptural Injunction
physician, heal thyself."
In marked contrast is the course of the
Democracy. The majority of its representa-
tives in Congress were nominated on plat
forms pledging them to reform. The peo-
pie accepted them sat their own huge valua-
tion," and they were elected. OF the abundant
professions they made not one has been car
ried out. Possibly they should not be held
responsible. The one distinguishing trait of
the Democratic party is its conspicuous ina
bility to fulfill any pledge it has made There
is a possibility, and the occurrence is not
wholly unprecedented, that it may pass a
beneficial measure to the adoption Of which
it is not committed. But if it binds itself to
adopt great measure there is a certainty that
1t will Iepudate its promise. It has as little
moral responsibility as an idiot, and not
much better idea of government. 1t is a de-
formity. Now as in past years its brains and
heart are together-in the South. So long as
it had Southern leadership it showed some
political sagacity. So soon as the South with
drew from the Union it began to drift; it no
longer had policy, only dog-like yearning
for Its old masters, and it came near dying o
grief Now that the Southerners have come
back it hastens to enroll itself under their
leadership. At their dictation it abandons
all its professions without protest. Profess
sing to care for the union soldier it appoints
confederates to posts at the capitol in place of
union soldiers discharged, and cheers the man
who defends on the floor of the House the
atrocities of Andersonvie. Because the
South hates the army as officered by loyal
men the Democracy makes an assault upon
West Point. Because the South asks the
payment of $50,000,0O0 in claims and subsi-
dies the Democracy strikes at the consular
service and the commercial system in order to
save few cents to go into the pockets of ex-
rebels. At the dictation of its masters it
calls for reversal Of the verdict at Apo
mattox and revives the old heresy of State
rights. Everything in its action leads to the
conclusion that its restoration to national
power means the placing of the government
in the hands-of the South. The loyal North
is not yet ready for that.