National Republican., 1877-12-13
Republican Duty.

III nus bccu NCiy kiluiy anu Behus iht-
mated to us that the NATIONAL REPUDLI-
CAN, as u Republican journal, is too free and
outspoken in its criticisms Of q Republican
administration. We do not think so. We
think with the President that "he serves his
party best who serves his country best"
The public interest is first to he considered,
and party interest to be sustained only as it
subserves the public good. The
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has enlisted and
docs battle under the Republican
standard because it firmly believes that the
future welfare of the nation centres in Re-
publican principles and policy. Act uated
by such sense of duty it will continue ac-
cording to the best of its abilities to con-
tend for the prosperity and supremacy of
that organization. 1t will contend for hon
est government-for honest money-for q
preservation of implicit fhith in the dis
charge of all public debts and obligations,
great or small-for the equal rights ofall the
people before the law, and for q
just and impartial administration of national
affairs, so that all the American people may
be happy in trust that all their rights and
interests are being respected by their rulers
in every department of the Government.
While we love the Republican party, be-
cause We revere and conide in the justice
OF its principles and general aims, we have
not that binding and sycophantic zeal
which would cloak wrong or brook the
violation of clearly defined law or duty
ON the part of q Republican President
or Cabinet Minister, or any other Federal
official, who has attained to position under
Republican confidence and support To do
so would be a violation of Republican faith
and common honesty. We are not of those
who think the President or his Ministers
can do no wrong. Neither can we consent
to hold party relation which demands
that we shall hide'those errors and wrongs
incident to human judgment when they
are discovered. The Republican articles
OF faith demand honesty, purity, and jus
tice at the hands of every official who is
placed in position under its influence and
power, and If the Republican press, which
takes the position of sentinel on the walls
OF party, fails to rebuke the wrong as well
as to applaud the right, when it becomes
apparent, 1t is untrue to its mission. Hence,
| if the policies of the President or the of
fetal acts of his Cabinet Ministers do not,
in our Judgment, accord with Republican
principles and the rules and requirements
of right, we shall criticise and rebuke them
plainly and fearlessly,. !. with the purpose
merely of securing n change and reform.
The welfare of theecountry demands this
and what Is good for the nation is best fol
the party whose cause we advocate. 1t is
no part of independent journalism to hide
the faults of political friends and magnify
those Of the other side, but whenever q
fault is discovered anywhere in any party
to antagonize il fearlessly but justly, witt
a view to early correction and public bene
l fit. In whatever we see in the present Ad
ministration that is to be commended w
shall cheeriully and gladly yield to it ;
hearty approval. But if its policies o
measures fail to- square by Republican
principles or the public welfare We shall
as we have done heretofore, interpose fear
less dissent and stand firmly in defense o
the right, as we understand it; and in thi
we feel that We are serving the Republican
interest in the future more notably than W,
can in any other way, though the task may
not be entirely grateful to our feelings ant
tastes In all this we have no ends to an
swer save those which relate TO public ben
eft.