Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-01-31

| OCAC1dA hSscuOly WHO were lDStTumen-
tai in defeating this bond measure-they
are entitled to the peoples thanks.
RADICAL.
| For the Reporter.
state of Public Morals---Alarm-
ing SymtO characterization Of the
Body Polilic.
.Nessrs Editors: Can you afford a corn
er in your paper for lew reflections BY
an humble individual, upon a subject
which, as he conceives, nearly concerns
the most vital interest of our common coun-
try? In Offering them to the Public, he
hopes they may be exempt from that sus-
picion which attaches--not without good
reason-to the great bulk of voluntary
newspaper contributions, as having some
Interior political object in view; for, what
ever part he formerly may have borne in
political affairs, he is one who now es-
chews politics and holds no fellowship
with politicians Of whatever grade or hue.
He asks no extraordinary stretch of char
ity: therefore, in asking your readers to
believe that he Is actuated solely by sense
Of duty and an earnest desire 10 promote
the happiness of his fellow men. Having
long watched the demoralizing and 2ebas-
ing tendency OF the present sys stem of pol
itics in this country, and keenly felt the
degradation which it entails upon all with
in the circle of its influence, he feels that
he will greatly enhance his qualification
for his own escape from the vortex, if he
can prove in any degree public benefac-
tor, by arousing the Public to timely and
saving sense OF their danger from this
| source.
1t will doubtless be asked, what is the
nature, and where are the evidences, Of e
danger 10 which allude? The principles
Of justice and equality, so far as brought
to issue, have triumphed; those reforms
in our national policy, indicated by the car
dinal principles Of democracy, have been
commenced in good earnest, and are pro-
crossing with a reasoeaLle degree Of ra-
pidity; under the influence of the present
enlightened policy, which is not likely to
be materially changed, the burthen and
benefits Of government are more equally
distributed among the different classes
all branches Of trade and industry are in
flourishing condition-the currency is
sound-labor reaps its due reward, and
the country is prosperous. Ianswer, the
danger lies in that apathy, that false sense
Ct security engendered in the public mind
by this temporary state Of prosperity. 1t
has the effect of lulling suspicion with re-
ference to those influences which are in
sidiously at work undermining our repub-
lican institutions, and subverting them to
purposes at war with their true spirit
Those influences proceed from high sour
ces, and, extending through tie various
ram!tica'ions Of political machinery, to the
reino'est eXtremlties Of the body polite,
manifest themselves in lowering the STAN
dard OF public morals, depreciating and
destroying the inducements to virtue. re-
warding vice, and sowing the seeds of
immortality broadcast thro uehout tie land.
Rome was once as free and as prosper
Gus as America at the present day; and
from her palmiest days dated the COM
mencement OF her rapid decline. A strik-
ing similarity exists between the COM
plexion of political affairs which preceded
her final overthrow, and that which exists
now in this country. Her people suffer-
ed their attention to be diverted from the
base means resorted to by politicians Tor
the purpose OF obtaining place and the cor
ruptions practised ty their rulers with
the view of perpetuating their power
Traficking in public trusts was at first
winked at, then tacitly approved, as thing
in which all alike were expected TO engage.
So is it now in the United States. The
more staid, honest and patriotic portion of
her people, who might have arrested the
| tide Of deslruction,'e garding the public Of
fees as mere stakes to be played for BY
political gamblers, rather than posts of hon
or for guarding the public veal, suffered
themselves to be lulled into fatal sense
of security, and abandoned the ship OF
state to such as chose to seize the helm
Who does not see the parallel, distinctly
and strongly marked, in every state of this
Union? He that does not, must be eithe,
wilfully blind or greatly wanting in intel.
ligence.
If we have not the immense standing
army Of ancient Rome, we have in oul
midst an army of different character, ia,
more formidable in point of numbers, quite
as licentious, and equally dangerous to ou1
ins'itu'ions-an army OF political parasite.
and place-men, petty, office-seeking poll
ticians, who inlest every state and every
county in the Union, and assume to con
troll political affairs in all the subordinat,
departments of government. With tn,
"capital' thus acquired, they throw them
selves into market to the highest bidder:
among the more prominen, politicians -
those who evince the best capacity fol
chicanery, the most skill at organizin!
traine bands and packing conventions, and
the mos. cleverness in manufacturing pub
lie opinion always commanding the high
est price in executive patronage or officia
emolument.
Look around you; do you not rccogniz,
the picture? Who are they that direct al
your political movements and select al
your officers and public agents, from tn,
highest 10 the lowest? Do you presum,