The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-07
Gae 4ailg Atgns,
From The N. Y. Tribune,
A Criaie

The Republican party has reached the
decisive crisis in its history. Within a
short time i will either shake itself clear
of the rascaiities which have disgraced it,
or 20 down to dishonor and defeat. The
exposure of Secretary Belknap, though
but one more item m the evidence which as
been accommodating for years, is the last
link ia chain which can be broken only
III one way. With other cumulative proofs
of shameless corruption, reckless partisan
ship, and wantcn contempt for public in
terests, it will surely convince the people
that the Republican party is unfit toI
govern the country, unless the party clears
itself, promptly and completely. of all COM
plicity with this administration. and the
fonl creatures who have gathered round it.
Republicans cannot afford to nnderrate
the significance of this event Some in
dividual in any administration may yield
to temptation, but public opinion has been
making that excuse very long and patiently
for this administration. When it was
known that somebody about the White
House held scandalous relations with
Curbin, that was passed as an exception.
Somebody disgraced the party in the Leet
| and Stocking affair, in the selection of
Casey and Murphy, in the sale of arms to
| the French, 10 the Santo Domingo affair.
in the nsactions of Boutwell,, Richard
son, and Akerman, in the Secor business,
and in the Chorpenning claim; but these
patient public opinion called exceptions.
Attorney General Williams rode in a
landauiet, but that was an exception. Sec
rotary Delano and his son John caused a
shameful scandal, but that was an
exception. Secretary Robson was
accused, but men thought that par
tisan hatred might have prompted the
accusation, and that if he was guilty that
was an exception. The District of Colum-
bia was outrageously robbed, but when
Shepherd was appointed con- missioner,
and Safe burglary Harrington met tne
president as welcome guest. men called
these exceptions. Minister Schenck drags
the flag of the United States through the
cutters of London in order to escape from
a British court, but that was an exception
Mcdonald went to Jail, deceased but
most trusted friend of the president was a!
a party 10 plundering conspiracy, ant
the presidents private secretary was in
dicted, and was saved from the peniteE
] tertiary only by the evidence of the presi
dent, and most extraordinary order from
the Encouragement preventing evidenc
for the government; but these, it wa
Z cnaritably said, were exceptions. The
the private secretary, thus acquitted, visit
the convict Mcdonald in his cell, and re
turns to announce to the senate of tn
United States message from the presi
ldept," and even while these words, fror
lips so long silent in the prisoners dock
were yet echoing through the senat
chamber, and senators were crowding {
congratulate him upon escape from safe
prison, in another room of the capitol
= witness was presenting, under oath an
with unauswerable documentary evidence
the proof that the secretary of war had Il
: years been selling offices in his depar
menf.
No, Republicans! this will not be passa
as an exceptional case. Grantism h;
come to Judgment a: last This il
famous abuse Of the public servit
f.r personal and PARTISAN gain h;
bornc its Inevitable iruits. The stu
: turn partisan niay excuse and protest
he will. In every state there are thousani
81 voters whose minds are made up th
: day. beyond possibility of charge, to redee
the honor OF the American republic
such votes hereafter that neither Graz
nor any of his favorites, nor any man wi
has impudently called oar civil-seryi
the best the world ever saw nor al
, defender and apologist for this mo
| scandalous administration, shall ever aga
! be able to claim that he has the Americ
rcople behind him. Democracy may
o dangerous, true; but it is not filthy wi
brides and stealings. Against disloyal
ow or reputation the people can prote
n themselves in many ways; against dishon
they can protect themselves only by tram
ling under foot every man who has p'
ticipated in or excused that infamo
ion system of public service called Grantis
ysm If the Republican party cannot rid its
,ers absolutely of this faint and shame,
hey Republican candidate will have bett
,om chance of election than Boss Tweed hi
in self
a ana There is a candidate who, though
Re- stanch Republican. has been foe
for thieves. In rotten administration
has been Abdiel, faithful found among
faithless. Such man, because his Fl.
y against corruption has been unsparing, ;
- known to all men, the Republican pa
- can still elect. But it cannot elect ;
u man whose very nomination is not c
elusive proof that the Republican pa
has declared war against those whose C
1ls1 duct has disgraced the nation.