National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-08-27

| else he is needed The effective work OF Min.
lister LlngstOn in former campaigns is well
known aud IL Is believed that he has since lost
none of his influence with his race.
Democratic Presidential Corruption.
TO NE Edilorof The National RepuJlican:
SGR There Is not, perhaps, within the
memory of the prosen generation u moro apt
illustration Of Satan rcbukiug sim than is to
be found In tn democratic party when 1t as
sumes the pharisaical mantle Of sef-righte
ness aud essays to preach political or moral
reform. To any student Of political history it
must, indeed, appear TO be the acme of eilront-
cry in part which from its foundation has
run the gauntlet of public disapprobatiou
which has repeatedly beeu arrsigned and con-
yicted at the bar Of public opinion, at homo
and abroad of acts of glaring dishonesty,
profit higacy, faithlossnc IS aud corruption un-
parallclod in modern political history The
records of the government, unfortunately iu-
accessible to the public, contain proofs beyond
all controversy or cavil of the very worst that
can be said of the party politically or morally.
Let us illustrate tho characteristics of the
party by an instance from thol last democratic
| administration of the general government,
| aud il is only one of the many thousands Of
| instances which swell the erecord of democratic
| ntamy throug hOut its putrCscent career.
| In 1858, while an election was pending for n
representative to the popular branch Of con-
| gross, n gentleman in high position in Phila-
| dephia addressed the following letter to the
last democratic president of the United State.
| Mr. Buchanan:
PHILADELPHIA, September IL. 1873
| DEAR SIR: | venture to suggest to you the I'M
| norance of awarding the contract for the ma
thiuery Of the sloop building at the navy yard
| nj this time to Merrick ~ Sons Theirs is the only
establishment IN the First district which cmploysa
| large number ofmeehaniesi at this time S9F when
| in full force 40.
The managing partnership. NJ, sr, being absent
| in bad healthnre full Of energy, straimug every
| nerve to keep their force during this depression,
and, so IGr as / know, the only old wings OF any
| influence In that district who are In favor of the
| reelection OF Colonel Florence.
| know from former experience the value Of that
influence, and feel persuaded 1t is the interest of
| the democratic party 70 increase 1t.
The First district viii, hope be carried IN any
event but with that shop at work full-h9ndcl two
be placed beyond all doubt. With much respect
W. e, PATTERSON.
THE PRnsipENT.
Now here is one of tho most corruptng let.
tcrs that could bo sout, suggesting tho most
| corrupting ideas ever sent to high officer OF
| the government, and yet the last democratic
president of the United States, in his own
| handwriting deliberately indorsed that letter
two days after its date, us follows:
| The incosed letter from Colonel Patterson oi
| Philadelphia is submitted TO the attention Of the
| secretary of the navy. J.B.
What is tho proposition contained in that
| letter? II is TO bribe the president aud to
| bride the secretary of the navy to give the
contract to Mcrrick & Sons the consideration
| being tho procurement OF votes to secure the
election OF a democratic friend the admmis-
| tration. The secretary of the navy-lsuuc
| rouCey--stood at the head of his department
us u judge TO decide between the bidders for
| tho cOntIaCt--to determine on his oath us u
| judicial officer to whom, looking exclusively
| to the public good, tho contract should bo
| given. Yet the president, by deliberate
act in his own handwriting, in which hc
! speaks tumliirly OF Colonel Patterson, by his
Endorsement calls the attention Of the scGre-
| tary Of tho navy to letter in which it is
stated that If the contract is given to Merricle
x Sons they will control the vote Of their es'
| tablishmcnt for the democratic friend Of the
administration aud secure his recollection.
| Mcrrick Il Sons Were awarded the contract,
| although they were not the lowest nor the most
| responsible bidders. The Novelty iron works.
| the largest ofth kind in the United States, and
admitted to the be among the best. if not the
best, marine engine builders in tho world, Of
| lcred to do the work for many thousands Of
dollars less than Merrck & Sous, The plice
! paid the latter WAS $4,000.
| The result Of this glazing and corrupt collu'
sion this lngrautly dishonest combination,
was that in doubtful district In winch ho
elected
But there was yet another humiiutiug fea.
| turc to this shameful act of corruption which
! should make the checks Of every honest
citizen burn with shame and indignation that
his country should be held mp rs the iirct Of
debasing criticism by foreign governments.
! Tie fact Of tho president Of the United States
receiving Il co,rupting lettcr aud considering
! il, and indOrsiug it with his own hand, calling
| to 1t the attention OF cabinet officer, was
made the subject of free comment and debate
| i'm England. Tho fact was stated and elubor.
otely Commented upon hy the Earl GREY in nm
argument upon a reform bill delivered in the
house of lords on the ~. Il of April, 1860. Com.
pairing the characteror the British government
| with that of orr avn he .uid: