Wilmington journal., 1876-06-23
KERR AND BLAINE.


In our yesterdays issue we en-
deavored to show that when the Dem
ocratic House determined to investi-
gate the official conduct of a number
of prominent Republicans, it was
forthwith determined by the Repub-
licans to destroy the effect of the ex-
posures, as far as possible, by vicious
and slandorons attacks upon promi
nent Democrats; that in pursuance of
this policy the Republicans had
singled out Speaker Kerr as shining
mark for the couspirators to level.
We had only to quote the report OF the
Committee on Expenditures in the
War Department, and the manner in
which that report was disposed of in
the House, to show that the policy
had failed and that the villanious ruse of
the Republicans had added to the
Democratic strength. The report of
this Committee was adopted by the
House, and, at thu suggestion of Mr..
Garfield, by standing vote, every one
of the two hundred and ten members
present rising to their feet. Now that
this was done in sheer justice to MIR.
Kerr, some of the Radical papers have
commenced to beg for Mr.. Blaine, and
put up the plea, that inasmuch as the
Republican members of the House
voted with the Democrats to exon
crate Mr.. Kerr, the Democratic ma
jority in the House should let Mr..
Blaine off from all further investiga-
ton.
The new dodge of the Radicals de-
stroys the grace which we accorded to
just action, and again exposes to view
the true character of the Radical lead
ers.
Under. the caption-Lnconsistc
the Baltimore Gazette has the fol.
lowing editorial, which still furth-
er illustrates the baseness of Radical
political trickery.
''It is ludicrous to observe the atti-
tude of the Republican press through
out the country since the vindication
of Speaker Kerr. They seem to take
old adage as their nd-point, that
"what is sauce for the ga,ader is also
sauce for the goose" They verify be-
Iieve, because Mr.. Kerr has been vim
dicated, SO ought Mr.. Blaine. They
seem to forget that the cases are not
parallel. In the case of the Speaker
one man only has been found-no
doubt hundreds have been sought after
who dared bring the slightest iipu-
tation against his character, while in
the case of the ex-Speaker many have
been willing to testify to the corrupt
ness of the man who wears the ''bloody
Shirt" and wearing it, was stified on
Sabbath morning, while entering a
house of prayer
Contrasts are bad things, and be-
ing bad things, is it not unbecoming to
draw conclusions from those having
two sides, when but one side is ex r
posed to view? The Blaine papers
are endeavoring to convince their
readers that the Republican members
who asked the acquittal of Mr.. Kerr
are above the level of ordinary NOR
tails, and should be held in high regard |
by every one throughout the country,
in other words, be esteemed as politi-
cal philanthopists, while in the case of
those men who are investigating the
charges against Mr.. Blaine they are
usirg unfair means, because he is not
delivered from the charge of his Of
tense as readily. Claims that Mr..
Bass and Mr.. Danford are much bet
Ter lawyers than Messrs. Knott and
are being used as an argu-
nent. Even though this be true, is it
/ proof of Mr.. Blaine's innocence
because of Mr.. Kerr's? The sum
md substance of all these arts
les is an apology to their read
RS for the justice done a dem
'crat by republicans. The thing i
J of such an unusual occurrence they
re compelled to offer something |
oothipg for the privilege Of being