The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-03-19


where are we Drifting.
An old veteran politician snd editor, ap-
parently in his soliloquizing moments, pro-
pounded the above question to himself du-
ring the campaign Of last year, and endeav-
ored to give it practical solution Not
strange to say, by his own process OF reason
ing, aided by an unlimited experience in the
history of political parties, the solution could
not be arrived at in any manner re-
concilable with the existence of the old
hackneyed parties known as Wing and
Democrat. Tens of thousands of the intel
1igent masses Of our countrymen, of whatso-
ever creed or nativity, have doubtless pro-
pounded the same significant enquiry to their
own minds, and have been compelled to trust
rational conclusion to the up-turning of
of events yet concealed in the undeveloped
future. A succession of weak and yet
weaker administrations in our government,
has made it strikingly manifest to indspen-
dent public sentiment that some stupendous
organic errors existed, not in our form of
government, but in the general as well as in
the more minute details of its administra-
ton. The tendency of the old parties has
been manifestly to establish rather than re-
move the sickening leprosy that has so far
enervated and paralyzed the moral energies
of the great republican system. The degen-
cracy of our government, as illustrated by
itslegislative and executive heads, or branch
es, is but too apparent-and the people are
at present called to deplore the short.com-
ings and humilating condition of the leading
departments, which in days gone by they
were accustomed only to regard with respect
and profound admiration. Formerly, respect
for the position commanded respect for the
incumbent. The high position of President
of the United States, in the earlier periods of
our history, was never desecr ated by the most
careless tongue, because never dishonored
by incompetent or selfish officials. Latterly,
under the Vaccinations of party discipline e,
reduced to such rigid science that liberty
of conscience and honest, independent &C.
ton, have been made subservient to party
structures and demagoguical dictation, every
American citizen is made to blush and even
tremble for his country.
q The system of hobby-riding, of packed
caucuses and conventions; lobbying and bril-
berry; open and notorious abuses of natural
ization and election laws, with the conse-
quent corruption of The ballot box, are
among the most fruitful causes of the GRIM
inal degeneracy into which our governm ent
is drifting. The power of the people to ex.
ert and execute their own honest will, has
been insidiously wrested from them by the
decisions of hreling party emissaries, and
ambitious aspirants for the spoils and honors
Of office.
We think it but too plain that the evils
and errors mentioned do exist, and that the
great body polite of our once glorious Union
is now writhing under their malign influen-
ces. There could not be more propitioul
time for The people, the honest yeomanry o
the country, to apply the corrective antidote
ludu III TIC PiSoCut uiioPiooeCo Sohuis'ou "
the old and corrupt parties. That the peopl
not only possess the power, but the abilit.
and wisdom to relieve themselves from tn
groes usurpations of their rulers and thei
bribed allies, there can be no question il
peint of fact, or their duty to exercise
without stint or favor. The people owe it t
themselves and their posterity to re-assum
the direct control of their governmental al
fairs, and teach demagogues and woud-b
rulers lesson in manners as well as morals
that they will not forget. Our highest offic
in the gift of the people, has been made 8
common by the accession of fourth elias
politicians and epauletted aspirants to it
honors, that the whole country is full Of me
willing to serve their country in that distir
guished capacity, and are circulating to an
fro through the land enforcing their claims
by way of a public lecture, or modestly az
cepting public reception. The indication
of public sentiment are evidently tending
a change, and it becomes us as freemen,
the utmost neces sity to see to it that the in
pending change shall not be without reio
mation.1
~ "Democracy makes no secret nom