Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-03-19
Correspondence OF the Richmond Wing.
WAsHINaToN, Feb 18th 1885.


thought had some idea of the state Of things
here from the public journals OF the country: /
thought that with some little allowance for TOO
much coloring, as you know IS somewhat the ha-
bit of your profession, tolerably correct idea
might be formed of the true state OF the present
political condition of the Federal Government III
It's various ramifications. With ineffable amaze
ment, however, perceive on close inspection,
that the people Of the country have no idea oil
the unfathomable depth Of prohigacy and corrup-
ton that stand exposed In naked deIormitv 10
every intelligent person who visits TINS place.
the various and continued efforts oil the press
have been inadequate to bring the subject before
the people of the country in terms sufficiently
strong and extravagant TO correspond with the
truth, and at the same time preserve the appear
ances of sober veracity. The people are Alto
eether unprcpared to believe IN state OF things
that has been arrived at by the colossal strides
of an administration, which verify seem as Mr..
Benton would say, to have put on their seven
league boots to effect it. The people cannot
comprehend it; even he who looks with his own
natural eyes into this great cauldron Of political
iniquity like the traveller WAC looks into the
crater Of Ktna or Vesuvius, stands coniounded
and can give you no idea OF Its depth, or the
magnitude OF the restless mass which .boils at the
bottom. 1t is useless, then, to attempt what
certainly battles description. With perfect
knowledge that our institutions are In imminent
danger, we should be more prohtably engaged
in enuuiring into the best means OF bringing
back the government to its original purity; or II
that cannot be done, of arriving at the nearest
possible approximation to that desirable OBJECT.
The question which naturally and first presents
itself in entering such an inquiry Is, what has
been chiefly instrumental in bringing our govern
ment into its present state of degradation. The
universal reply, instantly responded to by every
tongue, is the system OF rewards and punish
ishments,' which has conglomerated on the gov
ernment a host Of men remarkable for nothing
but their avarice, subserviency and meanness; a
system of espionage over the conduct OF the lew
the very few, who are suspected OF retaining
some little remains Of that independence which
the people of this country used TO breathe IN
their natal breath, and instant DISMISSAL from
office, with contumely and insult, Of the still
smaller number who dare express an opinion,
however temperately or modesuy differing from
that of sthe government In WORD, it IS the
horrible, and ever to be reprobated system OF
New York politics that has brought US to the
very verge Of the precipice, and lew more
steps will precipitate into the abyss OF despo-
tism Shall we be fastidious about the means
of escapes Ought not the great, the paramount
enquiry to be, can we escape at all! This has
indeed become question OF grave and serious
import with every friend of the glorious institu-
tons we inherited from our foretathers. and has
been with me a question of most anxious cosde-
ration. You know that have never been IN
public life, sought after political prelerment
in any shape whatever; but il is the wish near
est my heart to enjoy myself, and that my chill
dren shall enjoy alter me, the singular blessing
and advantages Of our excellent republican form
of government. This cannot be done under the
New York ystem for It " &c necessitdte re', y
leads 10 despOtism.