The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-15

Pour1cAL VuLrUREs.- Of the most
prominent features which marks the close. OF an
electoral campaign is the struggle for the spolls
by the victorious party that Immediately ensues.
No sooner has it been fully ascertained that the
candidate Of party has been elected, than
those who have made themselves prominent
during the struggle, and who have not been
promised lucrative position previously as the
reward of their championship, throng every
avenue and portal by which an access can be
gained to the incumbent elect, and by repre-
sentations in which they are endorsed BY the
particular coterie in whose midst they have ac-
ted, they claim that for their exertions in his be-
half, they are entitled to place in which they
can fatten at the public treasury.
Founding their claims on the ground that "to
the vctors belong the spoils, they forthwith
induct themselves into the belief that they form
the particular yictors, and Of course can claim
the reward. Under these circumstances, we
suppose that, at the present time, there is not
an Office in the gift Of the president elect, out
side his cabinet, and from that Of minister to
England down to any postmastership that will
pay profitable return, for which there are not
scores Of applications, each petitioner consider
ing himself entitled to it in a greater degree
than any OF has competitors.
70 such an extent is this system carried at
the present time, that the incumbent of the pres
idental chair for the next term has been forced
to appoint special agent through whom all in
tervlews must be manmuyered, those that can
be eyaded of course receiving that treatment.
Of course, then, those who are the most clam
orous, the most tenacious, who rest neither
night or day, in the pursuit of office, will reap
the reward !, while honest and unpretending
worth is thrust aside for the benefit of unblush-
ing impudence and an assurances that will not
be denied
First the victory, and then the scramble for
the spoils. We know not which in The present
case has been, or is the most disastrous, de-
grading, or destructive of the better feelings of
men or the welfare of the institutions over which
they seek control. No sooner has the tocscin
Of victory been sounded, than with all the ra-
pacity Of the savage, horde who swarm the bat
tie field for the purpose of rapne and plunder,
come the swarms who wish to prey upon the
public treasury. Vulture, hawk, buzzard and
crow, they snuff the specie-laden air, and gath
er to the feast. ~
To be able to partake of the banquet, there
| are, however, certain qualifications. The claim
ant must be recommended by his former adher-
ence to the party, or he must possess an inAu-
ence that renders it necessary he should be
bought. Thus once in power, unscrupulousIy
obtained, the position is unscrupulously pre-
served, and the power of place becomes sub
servent not to the masses from whom it is OBJ
tanned, but to those who intrigue to deceive and
| plunder them to their utmost capacity. Those
who were the humble servants of the people,
suddenly def their humility, and put on the
naughty air of the pompous and spoil fattened
official Good for one presidential term at least
and ever watchful as to the chances of the sue
censorship, they, at the same time, stand ready
to force every avenue that will lead to their
personal aggrandisement.
Thus has our government become nest of
professional politicians and scheming wirework
ers. Thus has the public treasury become
plunder-box from which the leaders of the par
ty, who set over it in consultation, devise the
easiest means to relieve it of value. In the
meantime the people, the excitement Of election
being over, sink back into the ordinary channel
of business, and amidst untring industry, on
which tax is laid to feed the cormorants of
the government, they forget their former warmth
until they are reused again to the duties of
another electoral campaign. So we 90.
| ltlhCatiiatI N'eLi.t t@aiiy AHea!
SOCIETY OF THE CNc1NNAT1-While sad
ness and despair prevailed among the tories
and refugees in New York, the officers in the
patriot camp on the Hudson were not without
gloomy feelings at the thought of their ap.
preaching separation from each other. Eight
years of bardships and dangers, shared in
common and nobly sustained, had welded their
hearts together, and made it hard to rend them
asunder. Prompted by his feelings, Gen Knox,
ever noted for generous impulses, suggested
as means of perpetuatlng the friendships
thus formed ,and keeping alive the brotherhood
of the camp, the formation of society COM
posed of the officers of the army. The sug-
gestion met with universal concurrence, and
the hearty appreciation of Washington
Meetings were held at which the baron Steu-
ben, as senior officer, presided. A plan was
drafted by committee composed of generals
Knox, Huntingdon and captain Shaw; and the
society was organised at a meeting held on the
! 18th Of May, at the baron's quarters in the old
Verplank house, near Fishkl.
By its formula, the officers of the American
army, in the most solemn manner, combined
themselves into one society Of friends; to en-
dure as long as they should endure or any of
their eldest male posterity; and in failure there
| of, the collateral branches who might be iudg-
ed worthy of becoming its supporters and mem
bers. In memory of the illustrious Roman.
Lucus Quintus Cincinnatus, who retired from
war to the peaceful duties Of the citizen, it was
to be called ''the Society of the Cincinnati -
| The objects proposed by it were, to preserve.
inviolate the rights and liberties for which they
had contended; to promote and cherish nation
| al honor and union between the States; to main
tain brotherly kindness towards each other.
and extend relief to such officers and their fam
lilies as might stand in need Of it.
In order to obtain fluids for this purpose,
each officer was to contribute one months pay.
the interest only to be appropriated to the relief
of the unfortunate. The general society for
the sake of frequent communications, was to
be divided into State societies, and these again
into districts. The general society was to as
semble annually on the first Monday in May,
the State societies on each 4th Of July, tile
districts as often as should be agreed on BY the
State society.