tion. I have heard the taunt from friendliest
lips, that when the United States presented herself in the East to take
part with the civilized world in generous competition in the arts of
life, the only products of her institutions in which she surpassed all
others beyond question was her corruption. I have seen in the State
in the Union foremost in power and wealth four judges of her courts
impeached for corruption, and the political administration of her chief
city become a disgrace and a byword throughout the world. I have seen
the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs in the House rise in
his place and demand the expulsion of four of his associates for making
sale of their official privilege of selecting the youths to be educated
at our great military schools. When the greatest railroad of the world,
binding together the continent and uniting the two great seas which
wash our shores, was finished, I have seen our national triumph and
exaltation turned to bitterness and shame by the unanimous reports of
three committees of Congress--two in the House and one here--that every
step of that mighty enterprise had been taken in fraud. I have heard in
highest places the shameless doctrine avowed by men grown old in public
office that the true way by which power should be gained in the Republic
is to bribe the people with the offices created for their service, and
the true end for which it should be used when gained is the promotion of
selfish ambition and the gratification of personal revenge. I have heard
that suspicions haunt the footsteps of the trusted companions of the
President."

These startling facts did not shatter the prestige of the Republicans,
the "Saviors of the Union," nor humble their leaders. One of them,
Senator Foraker, says: * "The campaign (1876) on the part of the
Democrats gave emphasis to the reform idea and exploited Tilden as the
great reform governor of New York and the best fitted man in the country
to bring about reforms in the Government of the United States. No
reforms were needed: but a fact like that never interfered with a reform
campaign." The orthodoxy of the politician remained unshaken. Foraker's
reasons were the creed of thousands: "The Republican party had
prosecuted the war successfully; had reconstructed the States; had
rehabilitated our finances, and brought on specie redemption." The
memoirs of politicians and statesmen of this period, such as Cullom,
Foraker, Platt, even H