The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-05-23
THE INVESTIGATION.

licans for comprehensive investigation
of election frauds is the most absurd
type Of political hypocrisy. Their de-
nunciation Of democrats for obstruchng
the general investigation which they are
ostensibly DESTROYS to institute, Is as
amusing for its folly as it is uncalled for
by the circumstances. While republicans
remained in peaceful possession Of the
stolen goods, investigation vas unthonght
Of 1t is decried now, not because it is
partial, but because it might lead in JUS
tice. If the republicans in congress had
long felt the promptings OF duty why
did they postpone action until their own
sins had found them out?" If, as they
claim frauds and intimidation were prac
ticed by the democrats in Louisiana and
Florida, why do they call an inquiry into
those political sins one sided investi-
cation? If the frauds practiced by the
republicans in these states do not o'ertop
does investigation inspire such terror?
III republicans were earned SO strong III
honesty as they pretend, they might
laugh at the inpotent efforts of the
democrats to give them annoyance.
There has been iii the mind of every one
a suspicion, nay conviction that there
were frauds so atrocious, as to damn
those who were implicated either by
active participation or by counsel and
connivance. No man who has ever tast-
ed the sweets of liberty, or felt within
him the spirit of manhood, can quietly
submit to the degradation of being de-
frauded, or neglect, at the bidding Of
guilty arrogance, to employ those means
which secure justice. Every principle
of Justice, every impulse of manhood
every sentiment of patriotism demand
this investigation. The nation can not
be injured by having the truth revealed.
II prosperity depends on corruption
then let us welcome the crust of penury
If earned honestly.
Do the republicans hope to deceive
anybody by their refusal to go into an
examination of frauds because they have
a stomach for a more searching investi-
gation2 Would not investigation by q
separate resolution serve their purpose
as welll Here they have the democrats
on the hip,and and if they desire to act
instead of indulging in highsounding
protestations, they have the democrats
promise of assistance. Let them test the
sincerity of the democrats, and if they
find them anxious to obstruct the
searching" investigation for which
republicans sigh, then let the democrat
ic party sink beneath the load. The
zone sided" character of the inyestiga-
ton in states where democrats were
guilty of all irregularities would then be
apparent Besides if nothing can be
hoped from the democratic house, let
hope cluster around the republican SEN
ate. What is there to prevent senator's
from ordering an investigation? The
obstructionists if democrats, can have no
hope of success there. A democratic
house and republican senate can GER
tainly make the investigation broad
enough to suit the most ardent republi-
can searcher for truth.
The plea that patriotism demands ac-
Cuiescence in the consummated villainy
which deprived a nation of its choice,
would be as humiliating in its acceptance
as it is absurd in its advancement Any
degree of agitation is preferable to SUI
pine indifference to national dishonor.
Close scrutiny of fraudulent doings is
the best evidence OF political morality
and the best guaranty of the nation
perpetuity. The commission of crime
and not its exposure or punishment is
what tends to anarchy and saps the life
blood of q nation. If evil results from
the confusion incident to the inquiry now
on foot, the guilty ones are alone respon-
sible. The punishment of crime is al
ways accompanied with trouble, but is
that valid reason why culprits should
enjoy immunity! Which party may be
charged with attempting to Mexicanizc
the government, that which criminally
annuired the expressed will of the people,
or that which seeks to lay bare those
deeds? If business depression follows
this search for truth which PARTY is &C
countable, that which committed the
offense or that which strives to measure
crime with justice? Which party is re,
sponsible for the confessions that poured
forth from Florida, that which by its deeds
furnished the material for the confession
or the party which suffered by the deeds
Whatever evil might result from the in
vestigation is to be attributed primarily
to the party which made investigation
necessary. What utter folly it would be
to charge the judicial department of gov
eminent with the disgrace and effects of
crime because it is its duty to expose and
punish crime Disgrace lies in the com.
INITIAL of felonous act, and not in its
discovery. Better, fa~ better, is it, that
society should be disturbed, to unearth
and puniGh offenses than that it should
enjoy deceptive security by their con-
donation and thus encourage a repetition.
The best form of government was de-
scribed by an ancient Greek legislator rs
one which made an offense against an
individual a crime against the state.
THE facts in the killing of Lord Lett
rim, are now coming to light. 1t was
the wild justice of revenge" which cut
short the days of one whose life was de-
voted 10 the opposition of his tenantry.
1t was not oppression that whetted re-
venge however. 1t was loss of some
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