The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-14

WASHINGTON, q. c., May 5, lsa

WASHINGTON II. u, 'lay u, Ao$o'
TIE Political aud Mora! baiq"iftes Of Washington"
. Truth has nought to dread from power
propose in this letter to devote few observa-
tons to a subject which has for many years occu-
MED the attention of the American people, mean
the seat of government of the United States. Your
paper enjoys the reputation of being the most exten
svey read of any other published on this continent,
| seek il as a medium of communicating my views
10 the public.
Ifthere is any circumstance 10 operate more than
another IN favor of the proposition entertained by
many of the removal of the seat of the national go
venment, II is the moral and political degeneracy
which It's permanent location has engendered du-
ring the period of nearly half century.
Without entering into the statistics of the expen-
dltures OF such political measure the public ex-
pense would be as nothing IN comparison with the
great national reform which such a movement
would produce And upon this basis more than
any other would this new seat of government be
erected-a political and moral reformation.
As firmly fixed as the foundation of the capitol
itself, is the political degradation of Washington;
and where political proiilgacy exists, there must
follow, as a natural consequence moral inlqulty.-
Those who hold different language deceive the
people of this country, and impose upon the Gre
duliv of Washington, 10 whose good character
am prepared TO show by facts IN this letter. stand
as well affected as any one OF her citizens For It
is the honorable, high minded, independent, though
members of the community, that would defend,
and who feel the consequences of the abuses am
about TO expose more than the political and influ-
entail classes.
And what can render il otherwise! The men
who succeed TO office, who regard the Treasury
of this government as the heirloom unalienabe in
It's descent from political corruption to moral worth
lessness pander to the while ii gives strength
10 the other-how can II be otherwise, | ask, than
that such state Of things must exert Its banetul III
tiuence upon character! Around the very pillars
OF the government corruption IN all Its branches
chngs, like poisoned vines to stately oak, engratt
ing a new order of social architecture upon the
crumbling ruins of an old, while it saps the very
foundation OF the great fabric OF society.
To make this corrupt order harmonlse, the opin-
ions of the first debased politician who enters Of
flee under a administration, are skilfuly
moulded by some practsed sycophant whom
man of honor would spurn from his presence, and
whose claim to confidence and respect In new
incumbent, is secured by secret mlsrepresenta-
ton OF his old associates
To operate upon the dignitary, perhaps the
sycophant has fine establishment. ''beautiful
wife and an interesting family" and these, with
the address OF many years, acquired about the
''purlieus of the White House, in the language of
Mr.. Webster, enable such precious set to lnflu-
ence unworthy and bebased minds against modest
worth and unobruslve merit. Years of tuition
under corrupt administrations, scarcely suffi-
Gent TO teach some OF these men the extent of the
imposltions and injustice of which their base ma
lures have been the dupe, and their ''brief autho
confiding knaves, and the decline of transitory
power, teach them the extent of their official inca
pacities and they admit in the experience of their
old age, that although they imagined they knew
something OF the receptions OF the world, yet they
had to learn the depravity of Washington
The virus of corruption thus running through
the political system, Is infused throughout the
healthy veins of soclety-and the connexion be-
tween them produces monster OF profllgacy III
the one, and inlqulty in the other. The offspring
born in this bed OF vice, has none of the redeem
ing qualities at the national seat of government
that mark its character in itslegitlmate birthplace,
the polluted atmosphere of kingly courts.
The graces and accomplishments that impart
charm TO the beauty of women-the chivalry and
manly bearing that give dignity to the worth of
men-the cultivation of the refined tastes of cult
waited minds in literature and science, find no APP
probation In. and receive no sympathy from, the
corrupt circles of Washington.
The very quality that eXerts influence over
savage life, physical courage, the only one that
protect the worth scattered sparsely through
the worthlessness OF society.
The Ignorance whic h spulns these, treats with
an equal contempt the honest industry of the COM
munlty. The jaundced eyes that nothing to
admire In the cultivation OF letters, look with an
equally degraded prejudice upon those worthy &C.
equations by which honest industry In the arts of
the mechanics earns its daily bread. Hence in
vdous distinctions mark with the same base
characteristic honorable occupations and disrepu-
table pursuits.
The gambling houses which form a league with
who may, under the character of an ostensible
profession, form influential connexions with
wealthy and distinguished strangers, all find more
favor In the sol disam "good society than the
worthy mechanic, thc enterprlsing young mer-
chant, the struggling student of law, medicine
man OF letters
Through the extensive acquaintance formed
''amldst the purleus' OF the hotels, the faro
banks and the brothels of the city, the flash gen
teman is enabled to introduce 10 the choice spirits
inhabiting these the distinguished strangers, who
In turn introduce him to their political friends,
whose families, occupying the position of leaders OF
the arlstocracy, have an opportunity OF showing
their devotion TO the democratic principles of the
government which SO beautifully sustalns them, by
making such an acquisition To the society which
has the assurance call itself the best" If the
political extremes here meet, the conventional
not farther apart-tor IL is not unfrequenty
the case that after nights revll at the 3" South
Points',* at grand rout, the fash gentleman and
his companions receive invitation to a 80 State
ball'' at the West End
From associations of this kind influence in the
course of time Is secured, TO procure such a class
OF men slnecures and offices of trust under govern
ment. A false criterion of character is thus crea-
ted by the very power that should establish stand
ard OF high responsibility, and the patronage of CO.
vernment is loaned to administer TO the creduty
of an artificial society. The imposlilons beginning
here, and sustained by political influence do not
end with the power which creates them but, be-
ing sanctioned by present custom, transmit their
evils to future times. footing secured in the
"select circles" the worthless man, through the
recommendation of office, effects an alliance with
some smlable woman, who, unable to see through
this disguise of responsibility, connects her fortunes
with him for life. The dlssolute habits and aban-
doned hauns that supply the pastlme, and take the
place of refined pleasures and quiet homes, few
months after marriage assume their accustomed
force, and take their usual round. Hence instead
the domestic circle with its holy ties, the affec-
ton and love which unite there In bond of sacred
union, are deserted and broken TO give place the
refined set who frequent and the virtues which Il
dorm the bar-rooms, the gambling houses, and the
''cut-throat" galleries
For the accomplishments of gentlemen. the con-
versaton of cultivated minds, and the associates of
honorable men, substituted swlndllng games
the flash language Of the hotels and the society of
the imported, with the resident humbugs of the city
A class ~ thus formed for the most mart without