Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-05
Frce-Love Democracy.

We copy from the New York Daily News, a
Democratic paper, the following article, COM
menting upon the appointments Of the admin
istration and Mayor Wood IAN administration
Democracy This must certainly be regarded
as good testimony, and is very bold and
frank exposition of the administration tactics
in that city. Men of muscle" are command
ing high premium, and the administration,
through its custom-house agents, seems to be
ity. Corruption needs "men of muscle" to
defend and protect it; hence the administration
has availed itself of this means to hide, conceal
and cover up its iniquities
Rowpr NoaINArIoss.- is a class of men
who trade in politics on their muscle, who openly
traffic In knock downs and bloody noses, and who
purge convention by brute force, as Col Pride
did the long Parliament--knuckles being the prin-
cipal specific In the modern practice These prac-
tioners do not confne their operations to any
particular party, but ready at all times to take
a contract to manage committee, or break up a
convention. Their operations are looked upon as
something quite portentous, and much of the Ii
eentiousness and dishonesty which prevail, may be
traced to their influence. If Offices can be filed
with those who are willing to purchase the logic
and arguments of these political gladiators, what
can be expected but dishonesty, frauds and popu-
Iationg We are inclined to think those who buy
the aid of these men of muscle, are worse than
the fighters themselves, and no advancement can
wipe out the baseness Of such bargain; no out
ward show Of responsibility conceal their utter lit
tleness.
As it regards the 81 men of MUSCLE themselves
they have fortunately rarely put themselves d.
recty forward for popular favor. They have been
!. a. L.~.xo
where the duties were Of character not requiring
any large amount of intellectual labor, and here
they kept themselves in a species of retirement
until their patrons called upon them to take part
in way suited to their peculiar talents in the po-
litical arena. The season of active exerton over,
they again retired to their modest Offices and the
receipt of their monthly salaries. This mode OF
rewarding partisans whose virtues resided in their
thews and sinews, and whose patriotism was mea-
sured by the solidity of their fists, evinced de-
cent regard and dread Of public opinion. The
Collector or Surveyor might affect virtuous igno-
rance OF the fact that they had appointed political
braves to Office, and the Secretary or President
might be supposed really unacquainted with the
matter ~
or late the custom-house has afforded shelter
Tor 80 many worthless of this class that they have
.isen greatly in responsibility and are ready to
challenge openly a share in the distribution Of
Offices.
The usage Of the custom house has been thought
to afford many precedents, that the City Hall is
beginning to open its patronage for this classand
heads OF departments begin to nominate the stall
wart fellows who championed them in the commit
primary meeting to fat official stations. The
Common Council, however, have to confirm these
nominations, and naturally dislike to assume the
responsibility Of an approval. The inspectorship,
or the tidewaitership, in the customs, is managed
ia more quiet way. Nobody knows about the
appointment and therefore public sentiment is not
shocked. But when the Board Of Aldermen are
ssked TO confirm nominee Of this sort, they nstu-