The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-07-27
SPOKEN REGRETFULLY.
From the Illion Citizen Republican


For years past and because we felt tito
be proper and right so to do, we have
cheerfully and unfalteringly supported
General Grant. While reports rejecting
upon his character and habits have been
repeated by his political opponents, we
have steadfastly held to the principle ac-
cepted in common law and in all social
life, that any man is innocent until he is
proven guilty. Of the many things to
which we now refer, and which have been
laid to the charge ofthe President, no one
has been proved. and he must in justice
be held free from taint in those directions.
But, while we hold firmly to that posi-
ton now, there are some things thatneed
to be said. We have fallen upon times
when men of all parties demand that all
departments of the government shall be
honestly administered. 1t is an unms,
taxable fact that the be0be stand ready
to applaud integrity in any public officer.
Because this has for some time been a
fact and because it is fact to day, null
titudes Of people who never saw the face
of Mr.. Bristow would have rejoiced to
vote for him for President For the rea-
son that he was vigorously prosecuting a
band of thieves who had fattened by
plundering the United State Treasury,
they rallied at the sound of his name.
For similar reason, those who assisted
him in his work were likewise held close
to the popular heart.
There was general rejoicing amongre-
publicans when Marshall Jewell of Con-
nectcut was appointed Postmaster Cen
eral. He was known as man of large
ability, ofunsullied character and ofgreat
executive and business capacity. He like
wise has gone to work heartily to correct
every fault or abuse in his department.
Ithas lourished under his administration.
No fault could be found with him.
But, see how matters have gone. The
ablest attorney in St. Louis was dismis-
sed while in the midst of the famous
whisky trials, for no cause except thathe
spoke disrespectfully of the President.
Then,--Secretary Bristow resigned"
Was it not because he foresaw what
would be the result if he did not2 In
very few days, one of Bristow most eff.
fective aids was peremptorily dismissed
by Gen. Grant, and for no cause at all
satisfactory to the public, The excite
ment occasioned by this act had hardly
passed over before District Attorney
Dyer of St. Louis was removed. The
next man in the way was Postmaster
General Jewell, who, on Monday after
noon was sent for by the president and
his resignation demanded. On Tuesday
morning Mr.. Pratt, Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue was ousted. He had
furnished evidence in the examination
of Secretary Robson when called upon
by committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives to do so. These were his Of
fences, and for these Gen. Grant turns
out one Of the most capable and efficient
officers of the government.
Did we say one? There is long list
of them. Look at the names; Broderick,
Dyer. Bristow almost Yaryan, Pratt,
Jewell. Every one of these men have
been actively engaged in ferreting out
wrong against and robberies Of the gov
ernment, and in the correcting of abuses,
and they have been one after the other,
kicked out of office. How comes it to
pass that no bad men fare that way ? How
came it about that almost in the same
week that Pratt, Dyer and Jewell were
unceremoniously thrust out out, Fisher,
the suspected, should be nominated for
office, and another nomination of the
presidents own son for promotion in the
army be sent to the Senate
These are the questions that are pas
sing from lip to lip among the men that
have stood true to Gen. Grant through
years of strife. We are at the beginning
of political campaign and have many
difficulties tc face. IfGen. Grant were a
pronounced foe of the party that has
twice placed him in the high position of
President Of. the United States, we could
understand why he should follow the path
he has pursued in these matters. AS tits,
we can see nothing in any reason pub
lished that should lead to such actions as
those of which we speak. If Gen. Grant
can Justify his course we shall be glad to
hear from him at once. But, unless the
justification be given promptly and fully |
he will have placed in the way of the |