Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-11-25
MACHINE DEMOCRATS.
From "Our Parties and Our Politics. in Putnam
Mayaysna

MACHINE DEMOCRATS.
From "Our Parties and Our Politics. in Putnam's
Magazine.
The other class of Democrats, whom We
denominate the official or machine Democrats,
because they move and talk as they are wound
up, mean as they appear, vet constitute in re-
atty distinct and powerful body in the State.
1t is not new remark, we believe, that sue
ccssful parties suck in and collect about them
large squads of specializing politicians, who
care nothing for truth and Righteousness,
while they have a raw nous appetite for dis
tinction and provender. They are not pre-
cisely camp-followers, because they some
times fight in the lines, but their interest in
the contest is determined rather by the pros
pect OF booty than by any convictions they
may be imagined to entertain. Like Bun
vans By-Ends, who followed Religion for
the silver slippers she were, they are patriots
because it is profitable to be patriots. In
other words, they are ID mocrats because
which means in Office. Sometimes they slip
round to the Wings, when the Wings have
sure look for success: but they find it safer,
in the long run, to be on the other side. No
men more noisy than they in shouting the
y
common places of electioneering, and none
so apparently earnest and sincere. But at
heart they are among the greediest and shah
biest scoundrels. 1t is upon their shoulders
that incompetent and bad men are borne to
their places of high trust, an from that Pre-
toTian guards of republics are selected in the
hour of their eclipse and Fastening decay.
This class of Democrats (thcir innate fun
.rnu}l M thar, -
traps in other latitudes) flourish the best in
those calm times when no great controversy
agitates the nation. and no important emer-
gency awak ms strong and burning ssions.
In crisis which call for lofty ambitions and
abilities, they are Of no use; in fact, they
are shriyeled and consGmed by the heat of
them, and sliuk out of the way till the fiery
storm is past. But in periods 0f comparative
public indifference or reaction, when there
are few who care to watch them, they swarm
ike maggots in carrion. As the reins of
power at those times are apt to fall into the
hands OF Lutte men-of Tyler or Pierce, for
instance-the golden hour for narrow intel
lects and base hearts has arrived. The art
OF administration at once degenerates into
mere trckery Of management. Toads crawl
INTO the seats of he eagles. Public policy
huctuates between the awkwardness of con-
sclous incompetence, and the clustering ar
rogance OF bullyism. The possession of Of
flee becomes a badge, either Of mbecility, or
cunning, or insolence. 1t is won for seryi-
ces that would elsewhere warrant a halter,
and it is conferred, not as the need of patri-
otto deserts, but as the wages Of supple and
merceEary services. They who disp anse pa
tronage do SO in the conviction Of Walpole,
tsaii every man has his price, and they who
receive Ii take it with full knowledge that
the stamp Of venality is On every token of
silver.
Superiors in place are not superiors in
merit, only superiors in craft and reckless
ness; while interiors don the gilt lace and
plush of their official vaetism without blush
on their cheeks, or sense OF sh me at their
hearts. Government, in short. is converted
into vast conspiracy of pl cemen, managed
by the adroiter villains of the set. controIline
elections, debating legislation, defeating re
forms, and intusng gradually its own ,nenial
AMI muckworm spirit into the very BODY of
the community. The masses even. under the
paralysis OF such denomination. seem 10 be |
rendered insensible to the usual influence Of
honor and vfrtuous principle: are deadenel |
almost TO the heroic examples Of their fathers: !
lose the lnspiriting traditions of an earlier
greatness and grandeur OF conduct, and viz |
tuaily, 1t not actually, sink into slaves
lnen, schemes OF wrong riot in the immunity |
OF license, ana projects of gigantic wicked /
ness are broacned, which q few years bef are /
would have caused shiver of indignation to
run IKE gathering earthquake through the /
whole land