New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-07
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, MAY :, 1873

and transfers of money about Oregon. 1t will
be ecandalous to hunt for evidence that some
Republican counted votes unfairly, but to re-
fuse proof that in Florida, Louisiana, Missis-
sipDi and other States the entire election was
rendered fraudulent by organized and long
continued violence and systematized assassina-
ton. If the country wants truth about the
election of 1876, Republicans ought to desire
the whole truth, and it is their duty to de-
mand such vote as to force every Demo
cratic member to go upon record whether he
wishes full and impartial or purely par
tisan inquiry.
Sending out a committee of scavengers to
rake up from the cutters scandals about the
opposite party, has never been found very
successful mode of conducting political con-
tests. Musty frauds and ancient stencbcs are
not specially attractive to the American nose,
even where there has been no lack of fairness
IN the inquiry, aud there remains no reasonable
doubt rs to facts but One-sided and parti-
san opening of sewers also Offends the Anglo
SaxGn love Of fair play. Nne-tenths of the
substantial citizens Of this country, doubtless.
would be sorry to see The bitterness and
scandal Of the last Presidential election
dragged out AGAIN, though in the most fair
and honorable search for truth. TO them
it seems better and more patriotic to leave
the Presidential title undislurbed, and to let
the world forget, as soon and as far as it can,
the deeds done on both sides in the passion
Of most exciting contest. But there are
human ghouls who relish nothing so much as
n carcass, and il il not strange if creatures OF
that sort want narrow ami partial Invcst
CATION for partisan and selfish ends A com
mlttce directed by vIndiciiyc partisans, they
hope. will tap every malignant hater or tie
Administration, or disappointed ollice-seeker,
or knayiSh dcad-beat, to see what ailidayits
he may be disposed or hired to make,
but will carefully exclude aiiidayits Or
other evidence tending 10 chow the mis-
decds.of Democrats. OF necessity the Repub-
Trans would then BE- Obliged to gather and
array the aridavits refused by tae committee.
In days when pecuniary desire 50 often causes
"mIickcncd conscience" we have already
seen persons swearing to two or three contra
dictnry stories and the most ab!y-b0dcd wit
nessc5 on each side would rush 70 the front
with counter-ailidayits for the other side.
Perhaps, in extreme cases, Il witness might
have his conscience quickened three or even
fOur times.
The distribution of these mcsscs Of garbage
will not contribute much to the public enlight-
eminent. Republicans will read, ii either, the
Republican reports, and Democrats the Demo-
cratic, each sincerely believing that the other
set Of alidavits is partial and fraudulent
Meanwhile nine men out of ten will turn with
disgust from both, but will remember with
Just Indignation that democratic politicians
who cmpticd thi, scandal upon the country
did not dane to institute a fair and full inycS-
tigatiom of the questions which they raised.
Can The party afford to put itself into a posi-
ton 50 mean, repulsiye, and diSrepuabie2
The Republicans We trust, Will unitcdly de
mand that If there is to be any inyes igaton,
il shall be an honest investigation Of the
whole business.