The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-30
POLITICAL MORALS, sc.


vention of Pipe-laying and Gerrymandering. !"
The truth is, the Wings are not, as party,
justly chargeable with either The practice Of
importing and transferring voters from place to
place was long and successfully practiced by
the Loco-focos, before the discovery of the al
legged Wing frauds" in New York in 1885,
The only difference between the parties on this
subject is, that, some Wing pipe-layers were
discovered, while the Loco-foco pipe-layers had
the good fortune to escape legal exposure. We
suspect there is a conspicuous "agent" of the
Government now in Office in this city, whose
principal claims to the appointment from the
hands Of Mr.. Van Buren,, were founded upon
his successful pipe-laying in Baltimore-the
"pipes" having been Van Buren, "pipes," and
transported from this city.
As to "gerymandering," the State of Mis-
souri, is a model of Loco-foco maneuvring in
this respect The Loco,focos not only gerry
wandered the State, so as to maintain their as
cendancy in the Legislature, but they even ger
rymandered the city of st. Louis for the pur-
pose of getting the control of the city govern
ment. They succeeded in the first, but failed
in the last.
If the Globe had told the truth, it would have
admitted the very equivocal compliment to its
own party, viz that the Wings have never, as
an entire party, equalled the Loco-focos in tact
and~policy, or in any of the petty acts, in
trigues and maneuvres which frequently have
an unseen influence, more effective than mag
unanimous conduct, great oratory, or righteous
principles.
The party discipline, party intolerance, man
agement, deception, and prostitution Of office
and of the press, which characterised the Loco
Foco party on the accession of Mr.. Van Buren,
term, we desire never to see revived again I'M
der any auspices. They corrupted the Govern
ment and the public morals, abridged personal
freedom, and poisoned the spirit of patriotism
The rebuke administered by the people in 1910,
will serve as caution for the future to all par
ties. The present Administration has thus far,
faithfully observed it, however much and insane
ly ultra Wing presses may rave about "treach-
cry" &c. Instead of counting the press to cor
rupt and it, Mr.. Tyler has challenged its free
examination of his public acts, and imposed up
on it no ''goden shackes." He has put an end
to the bringing of federal patronage into con-
fiict with the freedom of elections, and enjoined
upon every public officer strict observance of
his duties. He has engaged in no intrigues,
invoked no party spirit, applied no party disci-
pline, repudiated the use of Government patron
age for party influence, denounced and pro-
scribed no man for his opinions, and confined
the action of the Government generally within
its legitimate limits. No man need engage in
pipe laying or gerrymandering for John Tyler,
for there is an end for three years at least of
paying men with public trusts for party services
and the people and businessmen, need not
pursue their avocations in fear and trembling,
for if the Government cannot benefit them, it
will at least Hlet them alone"
We hear on both sides invocations to union
and harmony for the sake of "the party" We
want to see patriotism substituted for party.
We want to see an union of honest men for the
sake of the country. There will be few oppor-
tunities more favorable, as it may not often
again be the good fortune of the country to have
at the head of its Government an honest man
and Republican Patriot.