, 1876-11-03
THEN AND NOW.

The time was when all IhOncst-thinking
men considered il a gross imprnpricty for
those holding high official positions to en-
ter the political field As party managers.
The best guaranty to continuance or pro
motion in official station was integrity OF
character, ability and strict attention to
the duties of that Office, whatever 1t might
have been, unbiased by any show of partl-
san feeling. 1t was thought that purity
in public affairs required IL; the welfare
of the people demanded it, and certainly
good taste and common sense inStinctively
suggested that those who are entrusted
with the public business should not be
found running primaries and stocking con-
ventiOns.
But times are changed. and to-day we
have presented TO us As nation lament
able spectacle, which should cause the
blush of shame to mantle the cheek of ev-
ery true American One of the highest
public Otiicia of our Government, a cabi-
net minister, serving at the same time as
Chairman OF the Republican Executive
Committee, and combining the partisan
management of his political party with
the grave respOnSil ilities CT Secretary OF ln-
ttriOr Under the present administration
the surest passport to place and power is
the reputation of being an adept political
wire-puller, compared with which honesty,
business qualification and craftsmanship
count as naught. The Federal Otfice-hold-
| er or clntrac or who succeeds i'll wOrmlng
the most money out OF his jobs, aud Is lib
era in spending the same In advancing
partN interests i always sure of an office
or Government contract. Under the cloak
| of "lOyalty and patriotism" pecuation
1 In 1,11hlin lif ln.lv haan vtrilE-
ed at and tolerated to such shameful ex-
tent that stealing from the public treasury
is scarcely looked upon as crime. Men
who would scorn to associate with one
guilty of robhing hen-rOosts are ever
ready to tOady to prominent political lead
ers who owe their success to the Vilest of
| tIickery, and see nothing wrong in those
who occupy the highest official position in
our land aSsociating with and attempting
to paliiate the most malignant crimes OF
one who while holding cabinet Office rob-
bed the poor soldiers on our frontier out of
tens of thousands of dollars, and even
swindled the dead soldiers out OF their
gravestOnes!
II beJple have permitted tlieir sense OF
prOprieIy TO become blunted little by little,
aud allowed to grow up in our midst an
official ariStOcracy based upon intr que
and corruption, which, if not arrested at
once in its mad career of usurpatiOn, bids
fair to undermine the fundamental princi-
pies of our Government. In the result of
the coming election We have hopes of re-
turn to an honest Government. The tidal
wave that swept over the States in I S74 is
fair Indication that the better men of
the Republican party can no. longer be
hoodwinked by that siren song of loyal
ty, latriOtism aud progress" forever
harped upon by those vaiida who seek
political power by creating sectional strife
and waving the bloody shirt with one
hand whilst the other is plunged into tile
public treasury.
When we see such men as Charles
Francis Adams, William Cullen Bryant,
Peter Cooper, Professor Seeley, Gen. Joe.
Hooker, and a host Of other good men
.eaving the Republican ranks and raising
their voices for reform and pure Gov
ernment we feel that thele Is yet hope.