The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-03-15
The RePHREic1a .Party RespOnsi-
bic for the Acts of its Agents.

The changes that have been brought about
from time to time by popular edict have
been effected through the operation of
this rule. The elder Adams went out of
power and gave place to Jefferson by vir-
tue of it. The Democratic party sus-
tanned defeat under Van Buren,, be-
cause it was held responsible for the de-
falcations of Swartwont and other noto-
rious malefactors. They had put them
in office, and who but they were accoun-
table for the manner in which they de-
Belknap, Robson, Schenck, Babcock,
Mcdonald, Joyce and other malefactors,
who can be held responsible if not the party
which gave them the trusts they have
abused Who elected Grant The
Republican party. Who appointed
Belknap and the other wrong doors that
have converted the national admins ira
ton into a den of thieves? Surely no
one with grain of common sense will
say that the Democratic party is respon-
sible. The culprits were but the tools
and accomplices Of the principal, which
is the Republican party and that party
is now on trial. To show that we are
not taking a mere partisan view of the
subject, we submit the following extracts
from the independent press which pre-
sents the case without fear, favor or
affection, in its true light:
New York Herald.
There can be no reasonable doubt that
not only the administration but the whole
republican party must share the deeper and
more damning disgrace which has now
fallen upon Belknap. 1t is impossible for
call of us" to shrk it without denial of
that party responsibility which is essential
to the success of the republican in
situations. 1t is the accepted rule of our
politics that the party in power Is answer
able for the conduct of the men it puts in
office-a rule which is never disputed ex-
cept in some astounding emergency like
the present, when the thick-and-thin or
i gans of a disgraced party try to limit re-
sponsibilty to the individual offenders.
Party responsibility does not mitigate in
dividual guilt, but the public security re-
qnires that both personal and party Obliga-
tiols be rigdIy enforced. If the doctrine
were accepted that only individual officers
are answerable for their personal crimes we
should lose the chief guarantee of honest
! government under republican Institutions.
It is the nature of free institutions, where
government is possible only through
the agency of political parties to put
the successful party under bonds for
the good behavior of all its members
whom it elects or appoints to office.
The public security requires that each
political party be held reponsible for the
conduct of its members in office; and
party justly forleits power when the OFF,
GERS whose character il guaranteed by elect
| ing or appointing them disgrace themselves
and it by scandalous malversation. 1t does
not answer at all to pretend that their 'tiso-
lated acts" and Findividual weakness en-
tail no consequences which reach beyond
themselves.
In the present shocking case, which fills
the whole country with disgust and indig
nation the blame, to be sure, lies primarily
upon Secretary BeIknap, but it is justly
shared by Presi1en Grant and by the party
which gave political bonds for the purity
of President Grants administration. 1t is
preposterous to whine about the injustice of
other people suffering for crimes not their
own when il lies in the very nature of FREE
/ government that political party stands in
the relation of bOndsmen for the officers it
puts in power, and that the condition of the
guarantee is political forfeiture if the Off
GERS fail in their duty. 1t remains for the
people of the United States to declare, by
the regular method of elections, that the
Republican party has justly incurred this
| forfeiture.
! 1t will not do to make a scapegoat of Bel
KNAPP, nor even of President Grant. The
Republican party is responsible for both of
them, and for the multitude of other Off
GERS who have abused their trust and dis
graced their country.
N. Y. Tribune]
| No, Republicans! this will not be passed
as an exceptional case. Grantism has come
to judgment at last. This infamous abuse
of the public service for personal and par
tsau gain has borne its inevitable fruits
The stubborn partisan may excuse and pro-
test as he will. In every State there are
thousands of voters whose minds are made
up this day, beyond possibility of change,
to redeem the honor of the American
republic by such votes hereafter that
neither Grant nor any of his fayorites, nor
any man who has Impudently called our
civil service ''the best the world ever saw"
nor any defender and apologist for this
most scandalous administration, shall ever
again be able to claim that he has the Amer
lean people behind him. Democracy NAV
be dangerous, srne; but it is not filthy with
brides and stealings. Against disloyalty or
reputation the people can protect them |
selves in many ways; against dishonor
they can protect themselves only BY tramp |