The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-29
Investigation Beneficial.

That the present unparalleled scope OF
investigation into official doings and
I misdoings will prove beneficial, can not
be doubted. Granting that it may be
prosecuted, to very considerable ex-
tent, as partisan maneuver, and for
the purpose OF promoting party success,
that does not rob the fact OF it's resulting
benefit to the country. The motives of
individuals do not change the final result
of the operations which they may have
under control. The mere fact that in
yesttgation is instituted on scale SO
wide and prosecuted with a vigor SO
thorough, is Of itself good omen to the
public veal, independent OF any wrong.
doing that may be thereby revealed.
/. There is no instance in history where
long lease of power did not beget Off
cial corruption. This is as true Of the
power Of a political party in a republic
as it is of imperial power in monarchy.
Human nature is not changed by differ
ent forms of government. And, under
our republican form of government, in
Yestication into its mode of administTa-
tion is the great safeguard of the COM
monWeaIlh.
: And even though it may be prose-
cuted under the auspices of partisan
hostility, official investigation is, on that
very account, the more useful, because
the most thorough and unrelenting.
The investigation that merely scabs
the sore without probing it, leaving the
hidden corruption to continue its work
of wrong and Generalization, is pub
lie mischief and not benefit. And re-
cen revelations most amply affirm that
the body polite has been afflicted with
Ulcers that demanded, not the poutice,
but the escharetic. This treatment by
the caustic could not be expected at the
hand. of sympaihizing friends. 1t needs
the stern hand of the unsympathizing
opponent to apply the actual cautery.
This thoroughncss of investigation
will result in more good in the official
misdoings that it will prevent in the fu
Z ture, than in the disclosures it will
make Of misdeeds done in the past. II
is q lesson, dating in this centennia!
wear, that public men will learn and moi
forget till another centennial shall come
This lesson is TO become historic; anc
men who aspire to place and power il
the Republic will forever hereafter take
note of the Nemesis that investigation
will place on their track. They will per
ceiye that to be worthily renowned as
distinguished leaders in the Nation
they must SO order and direct theil
ways, in both public and private life
that investigation will show them to be-
not only pure, but above suspicion.
Then, what matter though few cor
rupt officials and public men among us
be stricken down by the crushing mace
of public indi gnation. the very fact o.
such exposure OF their corruption is 6
heatirg process to the BODY OF the Ma
tion. II was an apothegm with Napo
leon. that s'no man is necessary" Ant
certainly no corrupt man is necessary
rot even useful, except as an exampl
OF infamy warning others from lik
ways leading to like ruin. To presum
that because improper men are found ii
the ranks OF any one party. therefor
the whole party is equally corrupt, is
libel the people of the whole country,
whom all parties are composed. An
vet the advantage of parties is seen
their thus mounting guard as again'
each other in defense of the commo
welfare. In tbis mode 1T is that sue
investigations as are now in prcgres
can not fail to prove beneficial to bot
political parties, and consequently rt
suit III good to the country.