New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-04
rrr RrLKyAP EXPOSURE.

THE HELANA1 LA V0~A"
The nation will be shocked with the ex-
posure CT this extraordinary crime. "A
member of the executive Cabinet makes
a deliberate and lucrative sale Of the
patronage committed to him by con-
fidipg executive. An officer of high repu-
tation in the army forfeits the respect OF
his comrades and the confidence Of his
country. by a fragrant betrayal OF his
trust.
We take no responsibility to the Repub-
lican party for the fact that this appoint
ment has been from a member Of the
party.
The Republican party having estab-
lished its principles, has been charged by
the people with giving those principles
legislative and executive effect. They
have had the power to appoint something
like one. hundred thousand officers fol
that purpose. We suppose the most
reckless partisans would not assert that
the majority of the American people are
corrupt. Nor could it be assumed that
among hundred thousand men who
had sought Office by the means usual with
all parties, there ore not very many
capable of fraud.
Why, then, should the Republican
party be reproached because it had
suffered from the imposition common to
oil business interests, as well as to all
political parties? The Republican party
rejoices whenever any dishonest official is
detected, because it gives the party a
timely notice of dangerous responsible
ity. 1t would be absurd to reproach a
directory with the frauds of their cashier,
because the loss and modification falls
upon tho directory. Should, however,
either a political party or a business
house conceal q fraud, or shield de-
faulter, public sentiment would justly
brand such authorities as accomplices
after the fact.
The next political campaign will be
conducted on the issue of personal char
acter. Either party which permits to be
imposed upon it nominee with bad
personal record will find the people luke
warm in support Of the ticket. We are
prepared, we are pleased to see every ex-
posture which convinces the Republican
party that any Of its candidates are unfit
to run the heats. We prefer to draw, pay
forfeit OF not enter horse in the race, 10
having our entry beaten, losing our
money on his defeat and sharing in his
disgrace.
1t is not the Republicans who are NOR
tilted at the exposure of Belknap. They
are gratifed, as one would be who should
receive information of an unseaworthy
ship or an incompetent captain before tho
passenger committed his fortune to the
voyage. Our indignation is exclusively
lue to those infamous and selfish men
who would conceal their villainy, impose
upon the party, and then
having accumulated gains for themselves
cave their party to bear the loss and
shame Of their personal rogueries. Such
exposures as this Of Belknap will teach
our people the importance of watchful-
ness in the selection of candidates. Let
hem not attempt to carry knave SO
oaded with stolen gold as to sink the
,arty to which he clings for succor and
or safety. Better say with St. Paul,
Thy money perish with thee" We look,
therefore,, to the Presidents uncompro-
missing order, to ''let no guilty man es-
APE" and extend as far as our humble
Utility will enable US to carry it out to the
etter.
We have great confidence in the national
spirit Of inquiry and prosecution. 1t be-
IAN with the Credit Mobilier. The DEM
ocracy seized on the complication Of such
as Ames and such Democrats
IS Brooks, and put in claim that the
government should be committed to their
hands as the political Puritans of the
period. Just about the same time thu
millionaire robberies of the Democratic |
hief of the century, Tweed, we're exposed |
hrorgh the investigations Of the New York |
Tines and other Republican journals.
Connolly, Genet and half dozen other
hieves Of the Tweed ring fled the country,
md the great Democratic centennial thief
gas clad in striped apparel aud COM
nitted to State prison. Democracy !
vas then compelled to admit that crime
vas not restricted by politics any more
ban by religion, and that Democrat and
Catholic and Protestant, were
like subject to be tempted and to fall. |
This national determination to reform
nd punish comes to US honestly. We
ave inherited it from the only nation
'hich ever did punish and reform its
Official rogues according to the power Of
IVY. Mother England has suffered as
luch from public corruption as any ma
On ever did From Bacon to Warren Has
ngs the public officers have committed
ublic frauds. She had impeached those
1 Office. She had expelled represen-
stives in Parliament. She had pulled
own the peers from their high places
nd thrust them into prison. She had
onfscated the estates and Cancelled the
ties to honor OF thieves in high stations.