Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-05-04
Democratic Insincerity in the Matter
Of Political and Official Reform.
From the New York Trihnna

Republican and independent voters
are willing to tolerate or shield cor
upton begin to appear in Democrat
10 Journals. Possibly a party, hun
cry for power, can win by impugn-
ing the motives and denying the
honesty OF the majority of voters.
but we doubt it. The more Demo-
Gratis insist that all who are not will |
ing to trust them must be in svmpa-
thy if not in league with the rob-
bory. the more the voters are likely
resent and spurn the nputation.
Democratic vexation is quite natur-
al, bnt not at all profitable. There
IS an obvious and sufficient reason
for the refusal Of public confidence,
reason which il would be wise for
Democrats to consider dispnssionatc.
ly. The people know that the corr
ruption which disgraces the country
is the effect of Il system of PERSONAL
ism and craftsmanship in the public
service. They know that they do
not desire the prevalence of fraud,
have no sympathy with corruption,
and do not intend to shield it in any
way. But they wait, and very prop
erly wait, for evidence that either
party is willing to abolish the demon
alizlng system which causes corrup
ton. The people are not destitute of
common sense. They understand
that the greatest rascal would be
swift to expose the frauds of some
body else, if he could thereby get the
opportunity to enrich himself by
fraud. Violent virtue in the outs is
no sign Of impregnable honesty. A
party OUT of office can generally be
trusted to make any amount of fuss
about the rascality of those who are
IN power. Knavish greed may even
so farther, in such investigation,
than genuine honesty; it may manu-
facture accusations or strain evidence.
Mere zeal in hunting down political
opponents gives no claim whatever
to public confidence. The question
which the people ask, and ought to
ask, is whether the Democratic par
ty can be trusted to break up the
system which causes corruption.
Thus far, we are bound to say.
not particle of evidence to that ei-
feet has been given. Party spirit,
personal favoritism, seem quite as
prevalent among Democrats as
among Republicans. Disregard of
public interest in the fierce strife of
partisanship has been quite as often
and clearly shown; personal greed
has been quite as Extensively indulg-
ed; the disposition to conceal miscon-
duct of party friends has been quite
as manifest in one party as in the
other. Where is the proof that De-
mocracy is animated by that grand
old spirit of patriotism which surren-
ders without question TO the public
good every hope of personal or par
tician advantage? There are Repub-
licans, and there are also Democrats,
who earnestly urge measures which
they know will not benefit their par
ty, because Of a sense of public duty;
but Is there the slightest proof that
Democrat leaders generally are gov
erned by such feeling? Is it not
notorious and undeniable that the
| course of that party as whole has
been shaped by a selfish calculation
OF tho chances of success? So true
| is this, that nine-tenths of the politi-
clans in both parties think and
| openly say that ii is Quixotic and
stupid to push any investigation or
any reform by which the prospects
of party success will be lessened
The most conclusive evidence that
the Democratic party is not better
than the Republican, in tails vital re-
spect Is the treatment which genu-
inc reformers received from party
managers. Mr.. Tilden is the most
| conspicuous reformer on the Demo-
cratic side. Is he not, also, more
persistently abused and hated by
| Democratic leaders than any other?
Throughout the west there are heard
threats that the party would not
support him healthy if nominated,
while from his own State contest
ing delegation is to be sent to the
National Convention to cut his
throat, if possible. Such is the spirit
shown, not by all, we are glad to
know, but by very many of the DEM
ocratic leaders toward their reform
ers. The people wait to see whether
the masses OF the party, through del
egates 10 convention, will show the
same spirit, or an honest hatred of
corruption and desire for reform.
On the Republican side, however,
there are seen reformers who are
jealous to expose not only Demo-
cratic but as well as Republican mis-
conduct. The more corrupt politi>
clans object, of course, but Mr.. Bris-
tow, the most conspicuous Republi-
can roformer, may justly claim that
he represents not only the best but
very large element. The Presi-
dent sustains him; Republican mem-
bors of Congress rejoice that bis f.
deity enables them to reply with
great effect to hostile taunts; Repub-
lican State Convention indorse him:
aud, whether he is preferred to all
i
certain that he will be one of the
very strongest candidates in conven-
ton. In brief, there is as yet no
| evidence whatever that it pays TO be
reformer among Democrats. But
among Republicans. the one man
who has been most active in fighting
corruption, though be had no posi-
tion or possibility as a candidate be-
fore, and though he has been COM
PEELED to make war rather upon Re-
publican than Democratic knaves.
has by thet single act been pushed
to the very trout of Republican cam
didates. Is it strange if, in view of
these facts, Republican and indepen-
dent voters are in 10 haste to con-
cede that the Democratic party, and
that only, can be trusted to break up
that system which causes corrup-
ton