American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-06-14
The Cleveland COnvontIOn--ThoP Progress

INV va VIZ ooiiy Peit VI hHS WSOh1 h1o u
doptcds good platform and exercised wise
discretion in rot nominating distinctive
ticket. We learn from the Columbus
Journal that the Convention also voted to
abolish the system Of oaths, and substitute
merely an honorary obligation. 1t is evil
dent 10 the most casual observer, that the
American party organization is undergo
ing aprocess Of reform. The American
party arose, with gigantic strength, upon
the ruins of the two great parties which
had contended against each other, and
which had shaped the Legislation Of the
country for the last thirty years. Evils
had grown up with the growth of the old
parties. The distinctive principles of both
had become, in a measure, obsolete. The
issues were worn threadbare, and the bu-
siness men of the country failed to take
much interest in political affairs. The
field was therefore abandoned to the ambi-
tious and the selfish. Our elections be-
came mere game, and, as general rule,
the most corrupt and the least competent,
were chosen. Money, Office, and position,
were the three grand stakes in the political
lottery, and for them men strove. Neither
party put up its best men for Office. and
the reason for which was that the best men
would not stoop sufficiently low, or expend
money to procure the nominations. Out
Of this bad state of things, under which the
State and Nation were fast drifting on to a
lee shore. the American party arose. 1t
was reforming party. The men who
supported it, had moreover become dis
gusted with the corruptions Of Office, and
the low demagoguism of politicians. The
enemy was powerful, 1t had its party
names, its orgazation, its patronage, and
it held possession. 1t was we'll supplied
with organs, scattered all over the country
and its centres upon tho ramparts and in
the citadel were ready TO shoot down the
deserters. Theevils ofcorruptlegislation,
and the low tone of morals advocated by
aspirants for place, were know, felt, and
secretly acknowledged. Still man did
not like to break up old political associa-
tons, and leave his party. He had been a
Wing, or he had been a Democrat, and he
did not like to change either the name or
the party. Yet the evils of demagoguism
and the corruption of ofice-hoders were
known and acknowledged. What was to
be done? Who was to effect change?-
Who would "bell the cat?" No one step
ped forward. No gallant volunteer pre-.
sented hmselfto lead the forlorn hope
No Marius was found to leap into the gull
to save his country. The evils still con-
tinucd, and grew rank. Then some one,
whom we know not. initiated the plan o.
having secret political organiza,ion.-
. The thing took. The Lodgesor Councils
became the cities Of refuge for Reformers
S who desired the political and moral elava
E ton of their country. What one MAJ
would not do openly, That he might do Sc
:, crctly. The wish ofthe heart was strong
e but tho tyranny Of party associations KEEP
e the tongue still, and repressed the homes
G action ofmen. When met in tho Councils
s they found there their friends and neigh
: bors. They found, upon comparing notes
n that though they had been arrayed on op
y posite sides for many years, after all ther
n was no substantial difference between them
n while upon the subject Of political reform
n they were without any variation. The,
forgot the past and would henceforth la
l. Dor side by side, for the political regenera
J. tion Of their country. The numbers in
IS creased-the Councils multiplied, and th
c old parties were left with little but thei
. old names, and an inveterate hatred agains
e the mysterious reformcrs. They wer
o called usurpers-they had damaged tn
n prospects of ambitious young men-the,
had set calculation at defiance. Their bes
e laid schemes went wrong Even the bac1
st counties went wrong. Tie wrath Of tn
e disappointed was dreadful. Teeth wer
Il gnashed, and much hard swearing too
place. The safe line of precedent wa
made unsafe, and the back stair contri
q vances were unsuccessful. In a word, tn
}, sceptre of power had departed from tn
g old liners, and race had grown up, al
g most in day, "who knew not Joseph
If they knew Sam.
h The secrecy of the order in the days c
l. its weakness was source of strength.
v may be that secrecy in its day Of strengt
IS may be source of weakness. Secrec
h was necessary in the beginning. to affor
i the members opportunities to organic
d their party before the thunders of the or
# position could be brought to bear upon i
They had no papers to defend them, an
no patronage to bestow. They knew tbs
y their purpose was patriotic, and if theyerre
their errors grew out of the love they Dor
o their country.
We are not prepared to give any advic
n to the members of the Order in regard [