New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-16
VIRTUE SUPPORTING VICE.

Not the scomdrels, but the respectable and
honest men in a community, must bear the
greater share of blame if political frauds and
crimes continually prevail. This is hard
saving, and one which many will at first thought
be inclined to dispute. But if citizens give the
matter sober and conscientious examination
they must at length be convinced that III po-
itcal as in other relations, vice does not get
the upper hand and maintain it without the
countenance and support of virtue,
Senator Mcdonald, of Jersey City, it is said,
will resign his seat in the Senate because he is
dispusted at disclosures of fraud Hundreds OF
little Joker" ballots have been taken from the
boxes. all for him and all indiSputably fraud
ulent Their markings and stamplngS prove
that in many instances they were first pre-
pared by officials who had charge OF ballot
boxes, and who ran these fraudulent ballots
through before the election began, so that they
should have the required marks and punctres
when voted inside of other ballots, or put into
boxes by the handful. Senator Mcdonald has
shown that he does not intend TO hide or shleld
this iniquity, and when he resigns his seat he
will show that he does not mean to profit by
or countenance it, He would not pocket the
purse or watch of another and use it as his
own. He would not steal lands or houses, or
retain property in his possession knowing 10
was stolen. How could be be expected 10 re-
tain stolen Office or honor or political power
Yet his party expected him TO hold the office
obtained by robbing the people of their rights.
Men of that party who call themselves honest,
men of some standing aud respectabillty In the
community, will urge him to countenance and
reward the crimes which have been committed
and to encourage the repetition OF such crimes
by holding the Office for the sake OF his po-
htcal associates. If there were not such re-
spectacle persons TO countenance political theitS
the theftS would not be committed. II IT had
been known that Senator Mcdonald or any man
of his standing would not retain or even ac-
cept an Office secured by such notorious frauds
the scoundrelS of the party would have had no
motive to perpetrate them Mr.. Mcdonald
was persuaded, no doubt, that the reports OF
rascaIity in Hudson County were inventions or
gross exaggeratiOnS by political opponents. lie
was led 10 believe that il was His duty. for the
sake of party, to accept the office and to retain
il, at least until the proceedings could be in
yestgated But suppose he had refused to take
the property until an investigation had proved
that it belonged TO him. suppose ne had in
sisted upon the investigation before the Legs
lature assembled; suppose it had been known
that he or any other respectable citizen, such rs
would have been nominated for an honorable
Office. would refuse to take the place until re-
ports of fraud had been met by proof OF right
fu title, would there have been frauds COM
mittedP
There are many parts of the country where
such frauds are simply impossible because no
decent citizen will cOuntenance, excuse or con
sent to profit by them With reyerent thank
fulness it may be said that this is true in most
of the towns and counties of this self governing
Republic. Fraud runs riot only where public
opinion has become 50 dcmoralizcd by partisan
ship that citizens Of repute and decent stand
ing can be found to cOuntenancc political crime
by accepting its results. Indeed. true pa1 not
ism goes much further, in a very large number
Of the counties and towns. There are many
citizens who will not support any party That Is
found guilty of dishonest practices, who will
not suffer reasonable suspicion OF fraud 10
pass without prompt investigation, and will
not vote for their own party so long a. persons
| found guilty Of fraud are sustained by ii in
charge of any political work That is the
spirit which renders knavery impossible Scoun-
drelS never resort TO crime if they know that
nothing can be gained by il. But crime be
comes common shameless and dominant wher
ever public opinion tolerates it for the sake Of
party, wherever respectable men continue TO
vote with party which has been found guilty
of crime, wherever decent men can be found TO
accept for the party's sake the offices aud hon
crs obtained by crime. There the respectable
citizens are themselves responsible for the Of
fences which they cOuntenance and tolerate.