Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-16
The Central Power.


The Boston Times, of the 18th inst, says that
the Democratic papers in this State, favorable to
the Nebraska bill, have aggregate circulation OF
33250 more than the Democratic papers which OPP
pose it; and the Post Of the same date, says that
"aine are for the bill, and sir have NOT DECLARED
THEIR PosIrIoNs." Neither of those papers at
tempt to argue in favor of the bill. Each contents
itself with an easier and safer course. The Post
grimaces and shakes the bells ON its foolscap, to
keep Douglas and President Pierce in spirits, just
as the purchased jester, Wanda, did TO keep his
master Cedric, in good humor; and the Times gets
up ariIhme,ica propositions, which only go to show,
If they show anything, that the bought up Demo.
cratic papers in Massachusetts, are those which
could best afford to he honest, Neither the Post nor
Times takes any notice OF the fact that all the pa
pers favorable to Douglass bill are in the pay of
the administration. They do not care to discuss
that subject They are perfectly satisfied with sta
ting the fact that the Barnsable Patriot, Pitsfeld
Sun, Taunton Democrat, Lawrence Sentinel, and
Lowell Advertiser, with themselves, in favor Of
the Nebraska chea;; but they understand the art oil
hypocrisy too well to say anything TO show the peo-
pie that all Of them speak from the same motive,
which is place and pay.
These papers do not express the sentiments Of the
public, but OF The administration, They do not speak
for the people who readlhem, but for the office
holders who control them and the figures Of the
Times instead Of giving any additional influence to
their bought advocacy Of the Nebraska bill, only in
crease the contempt felt Tor them. They are the
brbed tools Of a political brigand without having
even the excuse of poverty for their treason.
1t is one of The saddest circumstances in
tonal economies, that it is possible for the govern
ment TO purchase and control the press extensive
" as it does Instead of the party press being the
voice Of the people, and the palladium Of popular
liberty, il alternately becomes the voice Of the adj
minstration, and an engine Of social corruption. Its
independence is sacrificed for Offices in the customs,
and for the price Of government advertising, &c.,
and instead of fulfilling the duties, and maintaining
the respect which belong TO an honest press, it be
comes the unprincipled instrument of power.
This is one Of The grand evils arising from the
vast patronage which is in the hands Of the central
government, and is increasing every year. This
is one of the most dangerous effects of that centra
cation of power and grows stronger, daily, at the
capital, which will become mole and more danger
10 The republic until il is taken FROM the Presi-
dent and is diffused amongst the legitimate
egns Of the nation, the people. The President can
besow $50, 100000 year upon those who sustain
his measures; and it is not, therefore, surprising
that the Times and Post, which have each liber-
al supply ofgovernment pap should stand up for
the Nebraska bill. $500. ..-r r s.
Capitalization, is necessary for political power
but diffusion is just necessary for fostering gen.
Jus and preserving political honesty. 1t Is one Of
the grand distinctions of the United Staes that she
is powerful because Of the confederate unity Of the
states and that she is The home Of genius, enter
prize and worth, because Of the diffusion and inde-
pendence OF states and municipalities. But such
passages in history as this Nebraska bill, show
us that the preponderance Of power is tending most
dangerously towards generalization. The admins
uaon backedup by $50, 900 900 ofpublic patronage,
commands it partizans in Congress to vote for this
Nebraska bill and orders its presses to sustain it
the indignant people protest against it, sad
maud their representatives 10 eject IT, Here ID the
administration and the people at issue, the former
bound to do base, wicked deed which the latter
condemns and JET, by its centralized power, the
administration corups the peoples representatives
and deies and and cheats the people.
The people should not only compel the authors Of
this Nebraska bill to forego their present wicked
designs, but they should compel the national centre
Of political corruption to yield up to the states
large amount of its anti.republiean power.