Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-24
From the Boston Advertiser.

THE PURGATORY OF CANDIDATES.
Many fair regulations have of late been
blasted beyond recovery; and in the rage
of investigation now going on others may
share their fate. There is no protection ior
public officers who have williuliy or
thoughtlessly put themselves in the way
where exposure could hurt them. The
consequence may be bitter, but they must
drink to the dregs. The mischief they
have done is vastly greater than that
wrought by ordinary criminals, because
they are more or less representatives, OF
the national character, aud the vices they
practice are plausibly imputed to the ma
ton itself.
There is another mischief and danger
growing out of their misconduct, but
which they are not altogether responsible
for,-that is, the craze of defamation now
raging against the most eminent men in
the public service, and with especial ami
mostly against those to whom the people
are looking for greater and more honora-
BILE service hereafter. On the republican
side not man escapes. The more exalt-
ed and conspicuous the position, the more
persistent and venomous is the attack.
Mr. Blaine and Mr. Bristow are the marks
for all shafts to-day. Tomorrow, if For
tune should seem to favor Governor Hayes
or Mr.. Wheeler, SANDER would outrun the
IL, 10 r;, hor
Thus far Mr.. Bristow is even with his
assailants. He has had the exceptional
good fortune, too, of being treated fairly
by the reputable journals of both parties.
The fact that he held nigh office, and might
aspire still higher. has not been used as
presumption against him. The slanderers
in this case have had to prove their
charges, or clear out. They have not
been taken into favor. and pulled into i'm
portance in the interest of rival candidates
for the Presidency. Mr.. Blaine, TOO, is a
mark for unsupported charges, but is less
fortunate in the treatment he is receiving
from reputable journals in both parties,-
and by journals hanging upon the skirts
of both.
The charges relating to Mr.. Blaine's
operations, lately published, have been
current for many weeks. The affectation
of secrecy about them only gave strength
and speed to their wings. There has been
time and motive enough for the produc
ton of all the evidence there is 10 support
them. Where is it? Transactions of the
nature imputed to Mr.. Blaine are not Sc
cret. The knowledge of them is not con-
fined to Mr.. Harrison. or to any half-dozen
or score of men. If there is any record
or recollection anywhere worth believing,
to show that in these transactions he was
guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer
of the government, let US have it. 1t be-
longs to the country. 1t may appear that
those who have had faith in the integrity
of Mr.. Blaine, whether agreeing with him
or not, must abandon him. If so, there is
no help for it. On the other hand, if the
facts were printed, it might appear-we
have the utmost confidence in saying it
would appear-that there there was not
the slightest improperly in Mr.. Blaine's
part in the transactions referred to that
the story is in effect and purpose false
hood, with the slightest possible founda-
ton of truth, and of truth which would be
found to be in no way discreditable to
him