The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-09-05
THE REAL FATHER OF THE PROPOSED NEW GOV
ERNNENr PLUNpER PARTY.

EfN MENI fLtNDEh ram l.
We have abundant evidence from all quarters OF
the Union Of widespread intention to form plum
der party" The purpose TO do has manifested
itself in numerous ways, and from those of every
aith except the democracy. That good old party
maintains it's integrity in favor Of honest economy,
and IN opposition 10 every expenditure not constitu-
tional and warranted by public necessity. Where
ever the enemies of democracy have had control
they have rushed headlong into expenditures from
the State treasures, in manner corresponding with
assaults upon the federal exchequer when they
troll the national administration Gov. Seward once
dorsed Recommendation in New York To borrow
forty millions to construct railroads and canals
to pass within fifteen miles Of every door within the
Empire State Similar extrayagant notions seem to
be deeprooted wherever anti-demoeratic principles
prevail Although Governor Chase, of Ohio, at FIRST
shrunk from the extravagances of this anti-Masonc
detnagogue, he now bows to his superiority and hum
bly, follows as one of mis- train lighting for the highest
possible extravaganza in State as well as national
expenditures, and in effect acknowledges himself an
obedient lieutenant to imperious and dictatorial
captain All the enemies of democracy, whether they
call themselves black republicans, know-nothinss, or
anything else, go in for the greatest expenditures
whether State or national whether derived from d.
rect taxation upon property indirectly from for
eign mportations. But tue great source Of available
means Of the ''plunder party is the public lands.
That party demands that the proceeds from them
shall be distributed to the States for division among
the people, either directly indirectly This differs
essentially from the deposite act Of 1886, which
mitted public money for safekeeping to twenty-eght
States. OF this depOsite, some Of which, in penny
quantities, went to individuals long since lost and
forgotten not farthing has yet, win be.
returned to the national treasury The authority
empowering the national government TO collect
money for distribution as proposed, has never
been pointed out
Although the necessities Of whiggery forced the
Unconstitutional precedent of the distribution Of
moneys derived from the sales Of the public lands in
ls4l, the better-considered act of August 3d. 1872
annulled its provisions. Until every other hope
foiled the motley squadrons Of the opposition, no
mind was sufficiently bewidered to recommend an
other unconstitutional distribution like this attempt
ed in lS4l. But close observers of human nature
have noticed that what delighted the Imagination in
the MONDAY of life has charms for its evening The
distribution Of ls4l which then absorbed the afec-
tons and commanded the active exertions of the
most reckless and inscriptions of the old National
Bank wing party, is now the idol of all enemies of
the democratic party, and is looked to the nucleus
of new combination being organized, which
may fairly be denominated the national plumber par
ty Such a party is soon to be formed, and upon the
plumber principle alone. For very long period the
National Ilteligeaeer has been actively engaged in
the formation of such party Of which it desires to
be the head and organ. Il sought to induce Nir-
gina to adopt its theories and carry them out in
practice and although it failed it has not abandoned
its purpose. 1t still urges distribution and, in or
der to organize its new party it will doubtless not
object to association with Observation-Disclosures and
know-nothingism, but readily swallow both OF such
| materials are the enemies Of democracy made.