Year: 1875

The fact that the NATIONAL REPUBLI-
CAN has ever been the consistent advocate
and friend of the mercantile and manufac-
turing interests of this District will scarcely
be gainsaid by any one who has had suffi-
cient experience and observation of the
matter to enable him to form correct judg-
ment. 1t is the aim of this journal to pre-
duct due regard for both the individual
and collective interests of all classes of citi-
zens. This is a policy alike wise and just.
In the character of news gatherer and COM
piler, we seek to place before our readers
an epitome of the current events, and also
to impart such information upon industrial,
educational and scientific subjects as may
prove useful, instructive and amusing. In
commenting editorially upon the events of
the day, we aim to direct the public mind
into the channels of virtue, morality and
honesty. As we succeed or fail in these
efforts we are certain to meet the approval
or reprobation of the general public.
Among the most important duties of the
modern journalist is that of exposing fraud
and warning the public against impostors.
Our readers would hold US to be derelict
in our duties as journalists did we not pub
Ish and expose counterfeits OF all descrip-
tions thai might happen to come to our
knowledge. 1t is an important part of
journalism which cannot be honestly and
Justly avoided. But it by no means fol-
hot
feiters and counterfeits that those engaged
in honest, legitimate trade should hasten
to construe the denunciation as aimed
against them and their business. On the
contrary, they should and usually do show
a grateful appreciation of the exposure of
fraud, because such exposure gives honest
men chance to lige and thrive by legiti-
mate trade. We expose frauds on the rev.
enue, and those who regularly pay their
duties and taxes applaud the course, be-
cause 1t results in the exposure and punish
ment Of smugglers and thieves who under
sell legitimate merchants and manufactur-
ers. There has recently been general
charge Of smuggling made against those
who take annual excursions to Europe.
But We have yet 10 learn that honorable
and respectable families have any of them
WINGED under this charge or hastened to
make personal application Of it to their
own cases. Parties who are so thin
skinned or sensitive as to attribute every
aIlusion to their craft, business or profess
sion as being personal to themselves and
their trade are really unfortunate, and enti-
tied TO the sympathy of the public. Espe-
cially is this the case when they are inno-
cent of the criticisms contained in such
allusions. Ifthe criticisms happen to be
favorable they are highly pleased; if they
are re1eceive and censorious they are un-
h4ppy, uEcn It is altogether probable that
the allusion did not refer to them in the
most remote degree


In justice to the mercantile clzsses Of
this District we feel bound to say that we
believe them to be, in point of honor,
above the average of most cities in the
country. In no other city upon the At
lantic coast of like size is there less com
plant of unfair dealing, and it is exceed
ingly rare, indeed we do not now recolIect
of any recent case of any one Of our mer-
chants having been accused of obtaining
goods under false pretenses, or of falling
to meet their engagements with commend
able promptitude. These observations are
made with just pride in their truth, and
in the full knowledge that they reflect
honor upon the whole District. But we
trust that they will all remember from
this time forward that when they see COM
mercial news or structures in this paper, or
details Of manufacturing operations which
are not honorable or laudable, they
have no local application unless that fact
is distinctly stated. We think our reputa-
ton for saying what we mean, and mean
ing what we say, should be tolerably well
understood here by this time, and also that
when we attack any one, or denounce any
one, we do it boldly and with purpose.