Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-07-08
THE

give the 1OilOwfnS from the Baltimore Patriot:
The result of the corporate elections in New
Orleans, Washington and Philadelphia, show
the organization of a powerful interest know
by the significant appellation which heads thi
article. They have come upon the Politician
as so'ie of those signal scourges with wilcl
Heaven has chosen to af1ict the wickedness o
man; have come upon the earth, moving in it:
inscrntable, irresistible and memorable power
and leaving no other record Of its nature thar
the devastations of its path. The politicians
stand aghast. They have been struck dumb il
the councils. They have been carried f%aintinG
from the feats. Their pride is humbied. Like
the storm OF hail and birthstone which swept
over the doomed cities-like the pestilence
which spared not the Eunuch at the foot-stoo
of the Monarch on the throne, the "know-No'
things seem moving over the land on Il mis-
sion of political punishment and prostration. As
these severe marks of divine Indignation were
generally followed by prayer, repentance and
reformation, We may hope that a few more sa.
iutary admonitions may have the effect Of res.
toring the purity of official appointment and
party action throughout the United States.
We are in total ignorance of the principles OF
purposes of the "know.N othings," except so
far as they may be inferred from results. Ii
SEEMS volunteer police in aid of public moral.
ity. 1t recognizes no Federal d~ivision-con-
tends for no political system. 1t seems actua-
ted alone by a determination to maintain the
institutions OF the country, and to commit its
offices to none but citizens Of unimpeachablc
integrity.
We can well see how such an organization
may have become necessary. Party contests
have obliterated the lines Of principle which
once divided men.
The lust of conquest has e%xtinguished politi-
cal honesty, and made any professions of palri-
otism a subject of jest or suspicion. The plat.
form creed Of parties has been suspended by
local dispensations. Inscriptions politicians
have secured nominations by intrigue, and party
fealty has compelled a support to the nominee
which could not have been accorded TO the man.
Officers in high stations have permitted them
selves to be implicated in speculations upon the
Government, and permitted the political mis-
representations Of their acts to settle in re-
proach upon the party to which they belong.
Statesmen regard public offices as private pro-
perty, and the family tree Of some might be
which taking root in the Federal Trea-
sury, bears upon its spreading branches, the
fruit Of preferment to the most remote degree
of collateral consanguinitv. Subordinate off,
GERS are chosen for no knowledge of figures,
save a capacity to increase those upon the poll.
book, and with nc capacity to write save for
the newspaper.
The two political parties have become two
great armies, and the spoils of office follow the
rules which govern the spoils of wal.
The Executive Department is The marquee ola
victorious general. The offices and revenue az
ho tso1nfpv $50 hiS unar,ipoo Thas, Ii, IL. HxXk
meet to congratulate each other upon
triumph over their countrymen; to part among
the mantles and the Jewels, and the |
iaily bread ofthose whom they have ovcrthrown
md TO ~unsettle the Executive brain with the |
fumes OF flattery. From this vic,o-
iOus camp the defeated are driven in herds 10
execution, whilst weeping trains of the
Innocent and helpless perish-the hapless vic
OF HE ruthless massacre. The Cavern
nent, sustained by the arms and tribute of all
) given in monopoly to those whose soul merit
onsists in successful deception or numerical
trengih. To secure a participation in this
seat spoil, legislation has put on the livery of
arty. Measures are tested, not by their neces-
ity or usefulness, but by their party Effect
heir success depends not upon the merit of
heir principle, but upon the men who are their
d~vocates. Congress is q staguant pond in
the interests of the country lie rotting,
'hilst noting moves upon its surface unless
npelled by the winds ofinterest. Parties have
, far departed from their original theories, that
very separate organization Of opinion, of sec.
on, or OF nationality, is appealed to. The
arty flag unfurled, every interest which pre-.
an associated indemnity, can coptrihnte its
and partake ofthe bounty. To secure
10 support of these special interests the politi-
have resorted to the most ingenious de-
ces. Manufacturer have derived hope from
70 delusive assurances of ambiguous epistles.
tiles have expected far deeper harbors and re.
from snags, under administrations pledged
sewhere against both. PoiygIot letters have
wen the public lands to the landless, or bes.
wed them for works of local improvement,
hilst others have denied an equal participation
the public domain to those who had fought
ID paid for it. But two.sided letters, garbled
ties, duplicate biographies, and falsiied histo-
:, have had their day, and politicians would
I'VE not, perhaps, been called to account, but
at they have, in their ardor for spoils, begun
speculate upon the known differences of re.
,Ious opinion and nationality.
First It was charged that the Abolitionists
ere called into q coalition under which they
ere to receive q distinct share of the spoils.
hen the Empire Club, a band of stipendiaries,
their siung. shot and illegal votes as a
ize to those who bid best. Then it was said
at the great church, whose head is domiciled
Europe, whilst its organization extends over
cry land. has been approached by politicians :
Hing to have bartered q p~articipationi in the
ministration of our Government for that sup. I
rt which unity and obedience always renders .
valuable. 1t has been also said that similar .
peals have been made to those foreigners who q
ep up thcir" identity of national language and Z
anners. These charges have been made not I
'ain,t one party, but against both. We have
'ther the purpose nor can w command the
1t. TO charge that either Of the two last inter.
= have acceded TO any such propositions. But s
have to say that men may be found base e
TO make such oyenuses, and volunteer ,
ganizaiions may arise to punish and prevent !.
cir schemes. In this. however, we only state u
matter OF common belief to explain a part. 8