The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-03-19
Garhald,s Record.

journal for which we have little respect
1t is always personal, and its columns are
often, if not always, open to any Republi-
can who has something uncomplimentary
to say of the editors of this paper. Fair
criticism of tie ADVOCATES utterances
or principles are proper, but there has sell
dom appeared in the Sentinel any article
in reference to the ADVOCATE which has
not been mainly personal.
We do not seek controversy with the
Sentinel for the further reason that 1t is
unpleasant to join issue with journal SO
lacking in the amenities of journalism
and in information upon all matters OF
public concern. A few weeks ago it un-
dertook to discuss the Tobacco Inspections,
and it was patent to all intelligent readers
that the writer had no comprehension at
all of the subject matter. Last week 1t
made mention Of the fact that the ADVo-
CATE characterized Gen. Garfield as for
ger, 5ribe-taker and perjurer, and extend
ed us its pity. Its ignorance, or blinded
partisanship, was again exhibited, for eve
~ informed person knows that, morally,
Gen. Garfield has been guilty of all three,
and the latter two charges were fastened
upon him by official documents from Re-
publican sources.
The most remarkable sentence 10 the
lSentiReEs article, however, is that which
indicates that we should extol Gen. Gar
field because, forsooth, some one of our
party faith, in this county, has expressed
'the warmest regard and admiration for
the President. The Sentinel is here in-
formed that the editors of the ADVOCATE
have their own opinions of men and meas
ures. When we feel unable, mentally, to
conduct the ADVOCATE, we shall retire,
and not be a figure head. But, TO the
gentleman referred to by the Sentinel !;
While he may have an appreciation Of
Gen. Garfeld's mental attainments, II he
be man of reading and intelligence, he
never expressed admiration for Gen. Gar
field beyond an appreciation Of his schol-
arly abilities. He never said he was free
from severe aud just eensure in his con-
neetion With the Credit Mobilier swindle,
the DeGoiyer contract aud the Louisiana
frauds, and he never said he did not re-
gard Gen. Garfield as more Of a partisan
than statesman. And we here challenge
the Sentinel to name one instance in the
seventeen years of Gen. Gar6elds pablo
career, where he rose to the plane Of broad
craftsmanship, except in words. Cau 1t
point US to single vote cast by Gen. Gar
: field in Congress, where his party was in-
terested, no matter how slightly, where
party was not served by that vote? If 1t
can, such vote has been overlooked in our
reading. Gen. Garfield, We believe, did
vote for the bill, or amendment to bill,
requiring federal election supervisors to be
appointed equally from the Republican
and Democratic parties, bat he has seen
that law shamefully ignored 10 the late
elections in Indiana aud Illinois, especially,
and in his inaugural address, whilst allud-
iug TO the election abuses, never once re-
ferred to the fact. At the time he cast
his vote for the bill in relation to federal
election supervisors, he was eensured BY
some Of his party associates, and preferring
party praise to the general good, is why,
perhaps, he did not cast his mental vision
north of the Ohio when referring to inter
ferences with the free exercise of the
elective franchise The ignoring Of the
bill, too, was somewhat Instrumental in
building up majorities necessary to Gen.
Garfeld's success.
The Sentinel believes the ADVOCATE
deserving of pity for its Characterization
of Gen. Garfield. We viii examine the
subject and let the public determine
whether the ADVOCATE did not state facts
as officially proven, aud that it is the Sen
tiael that is deserving Of commiseratiOn
for its objectionable want of information.
Gen Gar6eld's election, owing in par. to
the bulldozing practiced by Northern fac
tory lords, has not purified his character
and transformed him from sinner TO a
saint, above criticism His soul is not
one whit whittier, because of his election,
than when he accepted Credit MObilier
stock. and lied about it under oath not
ono whit whittier, because of his election,
than when be took $4,000 fee in the
DeCSolYer contract matter, when chairman
of the committee through which The gov
eminent appropriation was to be recon-
mended not one whit whittier, because OF
his election, than when, in an innerroom
of the New Orleans Custom House, be
MANIPULATED the evidence which threw out
the election returns from West Feliciana
parish, and thus defrauded the people Of
the country of their choice for President ;
not one whit whittier, because of his
election, than when, in his place on the
floor of the House Of Representatives, he
opposed the passage of the bill forming az
Electoral Commission, because the Com
mission would have power to go behind
the returns, and then, as member Of that
Commission, after the passage of the bill,
voted every time that the returns could
not be inquired into.
We have charged General Garfield with
being a forger, bribe-taker and peGurer.
In moral sense, he has been guilty of all
three, except, perhaps, the first; but be-
fore we close this article we shall convict
aim of so close an approach to it, as far
as the effect was concerned, that hair
splitting attorney will scarcely be able
to define the difference between moral for
gerry and his actions.
r I =, QIR