New-York tribune., 1888-03-26
POLITICAL HONESTY.

POLITICAL HONESTY.
Tn recent conversation distinguished
Democrat said, "The great evil of the times is
that Republicans do not give their opponents
credit for honesty" If that is true. it is
great fault. But it is proper first to ask
whether the accusation is strictly correct. In
great many instances Republicans have not
been slow to honor the uprightness and fidelity
of political opponents. Mayor Hewitt, for ex-
ample. has received no stinted credit from Re-
publicans for his courage in discharge of public
duties, and he would probably be the first 10
admit that unfair and captious criticism of his
work had come mainly from members OF his
own party. But he does not stand alone
What Republican has ever failed to honor the
integrity and courage of ex-senator Thurman
Even while opposing him on account OF his
political opinions they have recognized MS
honesty. Not by Republicans but by members
of his own party he has been hunted out OF
political life. and because he was too honest to
suit the more active managers OF that party
President Cleveland himself secured the power
to do great mischief, because some Republicans
were in haste to give him credit for an In
tcgrity of purpose which his acts have not
always manifested.
Turning from individual instances, which
nav prove but little, is it the truth that the
,,olicies which have been distiDctively Demo-
cratic arc attributed TO dishonest motives by
nol;tical opponcntsp Every wcll-informcd
man knows that anxiety to get rid OF the
p,edominance CT colored voters in local and
State affairs at the South was the controlling
purpose of the Democratic party until the re-
moval of troops was effected in 1877. Is
not the fact that Republicans frankly admitted
abuses and msgovernmcnt to which the lncX-
perience Of colorcd voters naturally ledP In
truth. they admitted and believed too much;
thev credited thousand stories Of corruption
which were false they listened too trustingly
to the solemn pledges of Southern gentlemen
that il forces were Withdrawn, reforms in
local government would follow, but freedom
of elections should be maintained, laws should
be rcspected and enforced. and nothing should
be done to deprive colored citizens OF thcf
rights Trusting the honesty of these South
crn leaders, Republicans made the experiment.
and is there Democrat who does not know
that every promise has been brokenf Not Dy
The great body of Democrats, it is true; COM
paratively few reckless and unscrupulous men
created mobs, engaged in assassnations, forged
returns, and have robbed cOlored voters OF all
rights But the deeds of the few have been
supported and upheld, and the political fruits
thereof have been gladly enjoyed, by the many.
The party as whole has made itself response
bic for acts OF dishonesty which few COM
mittcd
Is it not so in Northern States also? I'm
cucstonably very few Democrats actually par
ticipatcd in the frauds and forgcrics in Illinois,
Indiana. Ohio and Ncw-Jcrsey. and yet how
many have helped to shield the perpetrators.
and reioccd in the gain of stolen seats in the
Senate? Only on Friday a jury disagreed at
Columbus, and Democratic forgers Of returns
escaped the penalty which Mr.. Thurman
laborcd to bring upon them. No intelligent
man questions their guilt Yet they were de-
Tended to the utmost by Democratic legislators
newspapers, leaders and managers. and have
now the supporting sympathy of great pro-
norton of the members Of that party because
their crimes were intended TO steal for the party
seat in the Senate. With the same object
the crimes in Indiana were pcrpctratcd. and
c.ery Democratic member Of the Legislature
Joined in seizing for his party the fruits of
crime. while perpetrators were shielded from
punishment. Exactly the same is true Of the
crime in New-Jcrscy The entire party in the
Legislature made haste to snatch the stolen
goods and to shield the crime.
Many Republicans are too ready at this hour
to assume that President Cleveland is entirely
honest in his purposes. though he Systematically
defeats the intent Of the Civil Service act uses
the patronage to help himself and his party and
,o sccI1rc the passacc Of nartisan bill. retains
AZ, Garland in his Cabinet and nlaccs Mr.
lamar on the bench, where he may vet have
an orportunitv to decide in favor Of his Pan
Electric friends. The truth is that not ono
Democrat in ten thousand would credit Re-
publican President with honesty of purpose.
If he had 50 disreearded his dutics and his
pledges The excuse offered is that Mr.
Cleveland cannot wholly resist his party. In
that case, what is to he thoueht Of the honesty
Of a party which compels him to violate the
pledges by which it gained the power7