New-York tribune., 1882-04-18
THE APPEARANCE or TTRTUE."


In the remark of Democratic newspaper
that whenever the Republican managers wish
" to accomplish some political mischief they seek
" TO hide their true intention under an appear
"ance of virtue" there is the glimmer OF half
truth. II is to be understood always that the
expression political mischief" in the Demo-
cratic mouth is purely relative. 1t means
merely Democratic discontinue, and should be
so translated That Of course is political mis-
chief to the Democrat, and he is honest enough
in so characterizing it. so, too, we are dis
pDsed TO think him honest in his statement that
il is only " the appearance OF virtue that the
Republicans put on when they desire TO accom-
uIjsb some political end. For there are persons
in the world who do not believe in the exist
ence of virtue at all to them ii is never any
thing but preicnce the pretendcrs never any
thing but hypOcrites 1t is not necessary 70
point out where they are themselves LETT by
their own theory. 1t is not strange that party
which has no convictions upon any subject, and
has for quarter OF a century made no pre-
tence of any except for the sole purpose OF
self-aggrandzemcnt, should consider political
virtue myth and all yirtuous professions
hypocrisy From its own point of view our
contemporary may be entirely honest in its
definition Of "political mischief and its sccp-
ticism regarding all professions of political
virtue.
Not content with the general aTaignment, il
speciGes two instances of recent occurrence in
which the Republicans assume an appearance
of virtue for purposes of "political mischief"
First, in order as it is said to steal two
United States Senators and Member of Con
hon
amy as the @twin relic" and dsfranchise
voters by an Anti -Polygamy bill. Second to
increase the power and patronage Of the Repub-
lcan party at the South and retain the negro
vote, they propose large appropriations from
the Federal Treasury to be distributed under
the direction Of the Secretary of the Interior
for educational purposes. In both of these
things our Democratic friend can see nothing
but the appearance of virtue " for purposes OF
"political mischief" Opposition to polygamy
is prctence and deceit, with no object other
than to win two Senators and Member of
Congress by DISTINGUISHING voters, and the pro-
fessiOn of any interest i'll popular education at
the South is sheer hypocrisy, the only purpose
being to get control of large sums of money to
influence votes and continue the Republicans
in power. With Il sweep OF the pen the idea Of
anything like public virtue is destroyed; all
motives are relegated to the lowest plane of
selfshness, and We are led to believe that only
hypocrisy governs in public concerns. 1t is not
a pleasant reflection nor is it true.
But we said there was the glimmer of a half
truth in the utterances of our contemporary
Better perhaps, to say they suggest a fuuda-
mental fact in political philosophy; TO wit,
that of the two great parties the tendencies of
one are virtuous, OF the other vicious. The
managers" as they are called, of one recog-
nize the necessity Of appealing to the yirtuous
instincts of its members. Even if it is but the
appearance of virtue they assume, they show
thereby their belief in tie virtue OF the people
| Granting it TO be hypocrisy-and we do not by
any means maintain that it is always absolutely
| sincere-it Is even then high homage TO the
righteousness Of the People. The managers of
the other appeal, on the contrary, with the
| most unvaDing cOnstancy to the mcaner pas
| sions the lower instincts, the sclishness and
the preiudices of the mass Of lis members. If
one party seeks to retain power by the ap-
pearance of virtue " III abolishing slavery.
stamping ont reputation, suppressing pOlyg-
amy. rebukng demagogism, the other is
| found always on the other side, seeking TO win
power By catering to the selGshnoss the dis
| honesty, the low and brutal instincts of the M
| intelligent and vicious We do not need to dis
cuss the question whether the Republican man
ayers are honest i'll their professions or only
! assume the appearance Of virtue.r IL Is