Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-11-05
WASHINGTON. ID. G.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER ), 1855.


to be held on Wednesday next. On Saturday
last we reiterated the charge, and dared either
OF tho organs in this city, or any Of its tools
and camp followers to deny it. Little did we
expect that the Union would so soon have
admitted the truth Of every specification of
the charge Of bribery and corruption. Read
what it says a8
The Know-Nothing papers are excessively in
dgnant because collection was raised in one of
the Departments Of this city for the purpose Of
assisting the Democratic cause In the city of Bal
timore at the approaching election, and grave
charges are hurled against one Of the chiefs Of the
Department alluded TO for his exertions in recon-
mending these contributions. We confess that we
SEQ no greyous harm in all this matter" pa
It is no harm, says the Union. to demand of
the employees Of the government contribu-
ton to bride the Maryland electors. 1t is no
harm for the administration, by its power and
patronage, to endeavor to corrupt the election
in Maryland. 1t is no harm to defeat the will
Of the people Of Maryland by bribery and cor
ruption> It is no harm to purchase the re-
elects IN Of Hon. Henry May. tits no harm TO
II .duce mon to violate the constitution Of their
own State by offers Of Federal gold" The
proof Of bribery against any citizen of Mary
land forever DISTINGUISHES him, yet the Union
regards the attempt to induce one to commit
the offence as harmless. We have been taught
to believe that the accomplice of a criminal, or
the abettor Of crime, was equally guilty with
the criminal who has been tried, convicted,
and consigned TO loathsome dungeon; but
the Union sees no grievous harm in all this
matter But listen to the justification Of this
villanous conduct on the part Of the admins
tration:
.sThe administration of General Pierce is COM
mitted in the most decided and open manner to
the principles which the fanatics in the Know
Nothing lodges are assailng. The success of these
principles is important to the perpetuity of our in
stitutions."
Corruption and bribery are here justified on
the ground that some great principle is in dan
ger. What principles The success Of the
administration; but the Union admits it is
devoid of principle in the previous paragraph,
where it states frankly and distinctly that it
has resorted to bribery and corruption for the
purpose Of success. Is there any principle or
any cause which viii justify bribery and cor
ruption9 The Union thinks the success Of
tho principles which it advocates will and does
justify any means to attain it. One Of these
pri ncipes is, that the heads Of Departments
have perfect right, ny, it is their duty to CO.
cree the subordinates to contribute portion
of their meagre earnings for the purpose Of
purchasing votes in Maryland. This is the
great principle which is so essential to "per-
petuate our Institutions This is the great
principle to which the administration of Presi-
| dent Pierce is committed in the most decided
cy, practical resort to it is an essential pre-
requisite. What deliberate and premeditated
avowal Of Executive corruptionl
1t says further, that "they are important to
the cause Of law and order Law and order,
then, can only be preserved by resort to
bribery and corruption; resort to crime,
deep, damning crime has, in the opinion, and
according to the open and frank declaration Of
the administration organ, become necessary to
perpetuate sour intitutions," and to preserve
law and ORDER" In our Judgment there is
one other remedy, viz: to break down, destroy,
blot out forever this rotten and corrupt sd-
ministration, of which the Union is the avow-
ed champion, the conduct, and measures Of
which II attempts to sustain and defend, on the
broad principle of crime, that the end JUST
| fies the means"
Not only does the Union admit the charge,
but declares that:
| "There Is scarcely town or township In this
wide Union In which men are not TO be found OF
| this character"
| OF what character or the character Of
Peter G. Washington, Assistant Secretary Of
the Treasury, ofwhom the Union thus speaks !:
ave therefore, heartily commend Mr.. Washing
ton, Of the Treasury Department, for bis activity
| and energy In the contribution alluded to, and We
hope the good example pay be followed through
| out the Union
To what are we comingf The authorized
exponent OF tho administration commends q
high functionary for his activity and energy"
in devising plans TO control q local State cleo
ton. and for forcing the subordinates OF the
Treasury Department to contribute to fund,
for the avowed purpose Of aiding the De
mocratic cause in the city Of Baltimore"
Executive oppression and extortion are COM
mended by the administration, and Peter @.
1 Washington, the instrument and tool whose
energies and activity have been devoted to this
service, is defended from the indignant AS
saults Of the Know Nothings," and fsttered,
commended, and even held up to the whole
country as ct example for all honest men to
follow. And, says the Union there is
scarcely town or township in this wide Union
\ in which men are not to DO found Of that char
acter.n We really had hoped that there was
but one Peter g. Washington, and that one
| -. az. Aes;stant Secretary Of the Treasury