National Republican., 1876-04-03

1t is becoming significant matter that
tie name of Mr.. BIistow is being uJed
daily by the Democratic press Of the couu-
try in terms Of flattery and praise. His
great ability and unquestioned honesty, as
exempliied by his tenacious pursuit Of the
Whisky Ring there's, has given them an
opportunity for covert insinuations which
mean Just one thing, namely: Is Mr.. Bris-
tow to be cajoled by our insidious tempta-
tions into accepting the nomination on our
ticket for the Presidency? Their approaches
10 this purpose have been sly-''devilish
sly''-and shaped in the way ofsafe, glitter
ing generalities But they have been uni
form, and the fact that Mr.. Bristow is the
only prominent Republican whom the Dem
ocrats praise raises Just suspicion thatthere
ismethod in their extreme courtesy. Presi-
dent Grant is the head and front of the
attack on the Whisky Ring, and his lieu
tenant, Mr.. Bristow, merely acts under his
orders ''to let no guilty man escape with
dutiful zeal, and yet, somehow or other
the Democratic press have failed entirely
to praise the President for his energy in
this notable raid; but, on the contrary, in
stead of beng a work Of grace with him, it
is argued to be an evidence OF completely.
The deduction is as clear as Democratic
conclusions usually are, but We have no
intention to try to discover the sequential
chain OF reasoning by which it was reached.
1t is sufficient TO note that they are
baying in loud chorus against the Presi-
dent for doing exactly what they praise
Mr.. Bristow in dulcet tones Of flattery for
accomplishing This remarkable consist
cncy points to the conclusion that they are
acting under orders, and are sounding Mr..
Bristow as to his availability for their uses.
And Mr.. Bristow remains silent under their
approaches. Nov, perhaps, to certain
extent, this is commerdable and prudent,
but the times are such that there should be
no chance for misunderstanding as to party
fealty. 1. is disquieting matter to Re-
publicans to read these repeated comments
on the virtues Of Mr.. Bristow from the
Democratic files, and to know that there is
such studied effort TO get on the right side
of him. 1t does not necessarily reflect
upon Mr. Bristow that he gives no at
tention to them, but q widespread feeling
of insecurity about it is, perhaps, not an
unnatural result in the light OF experience.
Mr.. Bristow is a Southern man, and needs,
therefore, to give an unquestionable as
surance of unaltered allegiance to the Re-
publican party. His utterances on the
subject should be strong and unmistakable,
and, above all, it is dangerous in the ex
ireme to his interests TO have food of
Democratic praise poured out in his behalf
The very fact that it is done argues that
there is a want of knowledge about his real
convicuons that gives enough ground for
the Democracy to base hope Of winning
him TO their side. We canuot but believe,
for these reasons, that Mr.. Bristow owes it
to himself to snuff out these little tapers
that are being lighted to his honor by the
Democratic press, for we feel very firm
assurance that if they continue to blaze
they will only light up the figure of a po-
1itical corpse. Mr.. Bristow has elements
pf strpnCth almost I1nrivoled Iut thnv are
the property, in him, Of the Republican
party. He won them in its cause, and
there should be no room to question 10
which party they belong. The captivating
glances of the Democratic graces should be
: met with frown that will turn them in
their search for an available subject, to
that arid field where Democratic figure
heads stand like monuments of the past.