The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-01-09
POLITICAL. MIXTURES

One OF the most prominent features which
marks the close Of m electoral campaign
(says the Cincinnati Ti;ies) 10 the struggle
for the spoiI by the victorious party thai
Immediately ensues. No sooner has Il beei
fully ascertainsd that the candidate Of party
has been elected than those who have made
themselves prominent daring the struggle
and who have not been promised a lucrative
position previously rs the reward Of theil
championship, throng every avenue and por
tai by which an access can be gained to the
incumbent elect, and by representations, ia
which they are Endorsed by the particular
cotorie in whose midst they have acted, they
claim that for their exertions in his behalf
they are entitled to a place in which they
can fatten at the public treasury.
Founding their claims on tho ground that
"to the victors belong the spoils," they forth
with induct themselves into the belief that
they form the particular victors, and Of
course can claim the reward. Under these
circumstances, we suppose that, at the pres.
ent time, there is not an Office in the gift Of
the President elect, outside his Cabinet, and
from that Of Prime Minister 10 England
down 10 any Postnasiership that will pay a
profitable return, for which there are not
scores Of applications, each petitioner con.
sidering himself entitled to il in greater de-
gree than any Of his competitors.
To such m extent is this system carried
at the present time, that the incumbent of
the Presidential chair for the next term has
been forced to appoint special agent
through whom all interviews must be ma
neuvered, those that can be syaded oecourse
receiving that treatment. Of course, then,
those who are the most clamorons, the most
tenacious, who rest neither night or day in
the pursuit Of office, will reap the reward.
while honest and unpre.ending worth is
thrust aside for the benefit Of unblushing
impudence and an assurance that will not
be denied.
frat tho victory, and then tho scramble
for the spoils. We know not which in the
present case has boon, or is the most disas.
trou.. degrading, or destructive Of the better
feelings Of men or the welfare Of the insti.
buttons over which they seek control. No
sooner has the socsin Of victory been sound.
cd, than with all the rapacitv Of the savage
horde whs swarm the battle field for the pur.
pose ofrapine and plumber, como the swarms
who wish 10 prey upon tho public treasury.
Vulture, hawk, buzzard and crow, they snuff
the specie laden air, and gather to the frnst.
To be able to partake Of the banquet,
there are, however, certain qualifications.
The claimant must be recommended by his
former adherence to the party, or he must
posseas an Influence that renders il necessary
he should be bought Thus once in power
nnscruPulously obtained, the position is IN.
scrupulously preserved, and the power of
place becomes subservient not to the masses
from which il is obtained but to those who
intrigue to deceive and plumber them to
their utmost capacity. Those who were the
humble servants Of the people, suddenly doff
THERE humility, and put on the naughty air
Of the pompous and apoil.fattened official
Good for ono Presidential term at least, and
ever watchfnl as 10 the chances of tho sue.
censorship, they, at the snms time, stand
ready to force every avenue TINT will lead
to their personal aggrandisement.
Thus has our government become nest
Of professional politicians and scheminp
Thus has the public treasury
become plunder.box from which the lead.
,rs Of the party who set over il in consulta.
ion devise tho easiest means to relieve il of
value. In the meantime the people, the ex.
'itement Of the election being over, sink
INTO the ordinary channel of business and
,midst untiring industry on which tax is
aid 10 feed the cormorants of the govern. |
nsnt, they forget their former warmth until
hey nre reused again to the duties of anoth.
sr electoral campaign. So We 90.