National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-03-20
Our Moral Mission.

NewspapcrS, like men, acquire repu-
tation for certain distinguishing traits,
which establish their position in the pub
lie mind. The ST. Louis Globe. Democraf.
for instance. while IL does not in the
least neglect secular affairs, pays such
particular attention to advancing the
cause of religion that Il occupies a proud
eminence as the great religions daily of
the epoch. In this speciality rivalry is so
homeless that no other journal attempts To
comp, te for the place it occupies in the
estimation of priests, preachers, and par
ishoners. Mr. McCullagh frowns upon
sectarianism, and deyotes his truly great
journal to the cause of religion, pure and
simple. Catholics and Protestants of all
shades of belief nd their wants, opinions,
doings, and virtues tenderly ministered
broad col umns of the Globe Democrat, and,
as is me ct and proper, all alike subscribe
for 1t, admire it, and would swear by it if
it was conceivable that such good people
could swear.
The NATIONAL REP uBLIcAN admires
the religious character oil the tTlODg- IDeIlO-
crai, but does not aspire to take place in
the field il SO amply fills. Still there is a
kindred line of usefulness in which we
are of opinion The NATIONAL REPUBLI-
CAN may become equally famous and
prominent. IL goes without tho saving
that the tendencies Of this journal have
always been such that If Mr. McCullagh's
newspaper should falter in its good work
and lose its present most distinctive char.
acteristic, its place in that regard would
bo promptly filed by Washington's lead
ing morning daily. But as no such catas.
trophe is likely to befall our St. Louis con.
temporary, THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
will vigorously establish, maintain, and
defend its claim to the position of the
most moral newspaper Of the times. We
claim, in fact, to be the Great Diurnal
Mora Newspaper of the country SO much
needed.
Religion and morality are kindred in
that to be religious it is necessary to be
moral also. But it has long been con-
ceded that to be moral does not neces.
sarily mean that one should be actively
religious. As, however, tho truly moral
manor newspaper -admires, believes in,
and contributes to the advancement of
religion IL shall be our purpose while
making morals our main hobby to in no
wise fail in that measure of care for the
| interests Of religion which is q natural
outgrowth Of strict morality.
1t is useless to enter upon discussion
hero of what constitutes morals. IL is not
going wide of the mark, however, to state
| that kind charity for tho faults of our
| fellow-mnn, disposition to encourage
them to mend their ways, aud to look for
better things from them in the future ID
/ truly in the straight way of morality as
We view it,
1t was in this spirit that few days since
wo came to the defense of Appointment
Clorls Eugene Higgins. 1t is TO be sure a
regrettabs circumstance that Mr.. Hig.
gins needs defense, but We must take
/ things as we find them. All tho mugwump
newspapers, all Of our Republican con-
temporarles, the MARYLAND Civil Service
/ Association, and numerous other associa.
| tons, civil and unciyll, have been he.
[ laboring Mr. Higgins numerically ever
since his appointment went forth to the
world. From our standpoint as u Repub.
| lican newspaper we should, perhaps, do
| 80 too, in tho opinion of our friends. But