National Republican., 1879-04-29
DEATu-BEp REPENTANCE.

1t looks as if political reformation was
trying to impress itself upon the Democratic
party. The outgivings and signs that begin
to mark the conduct of the Democratic
press, and especially the organ now stationed
at the National Capital, would seem to
presnge a period of reform incident TO re-
pentance for past errors. May it come, for
the country has great need of n reform in
principle, policy, and habit in that quarter.
1t utters promises of good behavior in the
future and q cutting loose from the bloody
traditions and historic atrocities that have
marked its career for more than two decades.
If thisrepentnnce is Of the kind that needeth
not to be repented of; if il is honest and in
the interest of sincere reform, then the
country will find occasion TO be rejoced at
even an attempt to cease to do evil and an
effort to do well. The Democratic party is
sick. 1t has perverted the law, outraged
right, assailed the integrity of the Govern
ment, and made war upon its credit; it has
done many things which it ought
mot to have done, and left un-
done many things which it
Ought TO have DONE" until there is no
health in it, aud now, as it hears the NUT
terngs of popular displeasure and sees the
avenging arm of public Indignation being
raised to chastise it for its manifold sins, it
affects to repent and promises reform. We
fear, however, that RABELAIs depicted its
true condition when he wrote:
The devil was sick-thc devil a monk would be;
The devil was well-tho devil monk was he,
With the sanctimOnious air of true pen
itent, however, it essays now 10 put forth
certain demands as the condition of future
good behavior 1t demands impartial, un-
"preiudiced, and uninhuenced juries.n If
it is honest in this demand, if it is not q
piece of irony, il puts itself strictly in line
with the popular wish, and so far is good
enough; but such n demand or practice is
something entirely new in that party. 1t
demands the abolition of the test OATH
There never should have been any necessity
for the test oath; but that necessity having
been created by the Democratic party, the
only remaining question is Has the neces-
sity for such an oath passed away? The
point. We admit that it does
not amount to much with the members OF
that party who disregdrded the solemn
oath they had taken in military and civil
life to support the Constitution of the
United States and then entered into a
bloody rebellion to overthrow it, Perjurers
under that oath need not be very particular
or conscientious about taking the test oath
when presented TO them.
Again, it demands "lrec and untram-
"meled elections, open and unobstructed at
"the polls.n TO demand now what it has
not respected or observed in its political
contests for nearly twenty years as recorded
history shows concusiyely, indicates Il
repentance and reform as sudden and rad
| ical as that which fell to the lot of SAUL of
Tarsus-aud may it prove 40 honest and
| enduring but who can trust such repent
ance and reform, 1t demands economy in
expenses, while it is prodigal in all expense
| that attaches to itself in connection with the
| Government. This demand is to the extent
! that the Republicans in Office shall practice
a starving parsimony in the conduct of pub
lie affairs, while they shall be allowed to
play the part of the Prodigal in wasting the
public heritage Still, if honest in its de-
moud for economy and it will demonstrate
its honesty in little practice it will FIND
itself in harmony with the Republican
party and the country.
It makes certain demands relating to tn,
forms and equalities Of taxation which may
De just and salutory to the public benefit