The daily gazette., 1876-06-05
Whs Originated the COnOressiOn.
al Investigation

The Philadelphia Chronicle makes a
fair, pointed and truthful reply to the
charges OF the opposition papers in the
following retort: Tue allegations of the
Press, that the whole business of de-
famation-(referring to the Congression-
al investigations) originates with the
Democratic party, and upon their shoul-
ders should be forever fastened" is SIM
ply a misstatement of facts. That the
Democrats have carried on the investi-
cation, as they were in duty bound to
do, is true, but that they were the origi-
nators of them is false. They were
thrust upon the Democratic majority in
Congress by members of the Republican
party. 1t Is not possible to point to
single instance IN which the accusations
against Republicans were not from men,
bers Of their own party household. Be-
ginning with Macdonald, Joyce, Mckee
and Babcock, down to the latest instance,
Republicans have stood godfathers to
every single charge of official malfeas-
ance. In fact, it has been with that
party sort of "dog eat dog business.
The principal actors have been the lead
ing men of. the party. Morton, Blaine,
Bristow, Conkling, ETC., have all been
fighting each other with a fierceness that
very closely betokens the eagerness Of
their desires respectively to get the
whip hand at Cincinnati. Every witness
who has volunteered testimony has been
a Republican, and the unwilling ones
have been Of the same party stripe. The
Democrats have had nothing to do but
hear testimony, and hence are not re-
responsible for anything save faithful
discharge Of sworn duty.
But admitting that the Investigations
did originate with the Democrats, what
thenP Has there been anything said or
done that was not in perfect accord with
the line of sworn dutyP II Republi-
cans, with full knowledge of official
corruption, refused for mere party sake
to order Investigations, does it follow
that Democrats must prove equally dere
lict In duty? There is not an honest
Republican in the country to-day thai
does not unhesitatingly admit the wild,
prevalence of corruption in every de
partment Of the Government, not on
that does not openly deplore it. nor on
that has not called and is not to-da,
calling for reformation of the scandal
ous governmental abuses. Every plat
form promulgated by the Republican
party for several years past, whethe
emanating from national, State or Coun
ty Conventions has teemed with de
mands for honest administration, sucl
demands being based wholly upon tn
fact that the general administration O
the Republican party had been corrup
to an extent hitherto unknown to tn
Government. And yet the Press, an,
the party with which it is affiliated, ar
endeavoring to impress the public min
with the idea that the Democrats in an
earthing Republican Official rcttennes
are guilty of high misdemeanor. w
submit the matter to every honest mar
whatever his political proclivities, an
are very willing to abide tho verdict. ]
there have been more committees of il
vestigation than ever before, it is bt
cause there has been greater occasion fe
them. Hence they are not only pei
fectly justifable, bat, if possible, MOI
than that, for the pure and simple re;
son that they have been forced upon Ii
Democrats by Republicans themselves.