American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-09-30


sentatiOn-when designing men are at
work to deceive the people into the sup
port Of measures subtersive to the Consti-
tuition and the Union. il becomes the du-
~ Of loyal citizens to offer few words 10
their defense.
II is not to be doubted that the condi.
ton Of things at the Federal Capitol, du-
rirG, the last session ofGongrcss. evtlOped
Ia aleprosy at work in the heart of our pO-
IliIifal Institutions, which threatens, ere
long, to cover the whole, body polite with
corrupt and destroying sores. Those who
have visited Washington during a session
of Congress, for the past few years. irre-
sPecliVe Of party creeds. have united in
speaking Of the deplOrable rascality and
venality with which every department and
Office OF the Government is imbued. No
matter what your business there. the most
simple as well as the most complex, the
most fonest as we'll as that in which ras-
ca'i'y is the chief ingredient, and fraudu.
lent pretence the foundation, all stand upon
one common level, and are indebted for
attention or favorable coDsummaiion solely
to the amount and extent in which parties
seeking favors or justice, can afford to 6ribe
Government officers to giant the one or
conceds the other From the lowest clerk
, ITO the heads OF departments. every step
! obtained dy a claimant OF honest dues, OF
a sp'culatJr in doubtful claims, must be
paved ,ciM gold!
In the olden times the Republic. bride.
~ was the ex 'eplion; but now, under the
continued pre6omnence of The Democracy
il has become the rule Of the Governn ent
: in all its offices. When FLOYD, the Secre
lary Of War, and Senators and members o.
Congress, and even, it is said. Vice Pres
ident, are repdted to be tainted with the
leprosy Of corruption. how can il be expe 1T
ed thst any subordinate officer will escape
the infection? Nor have. they! The ! oi
:: son peIvades almost every vein Of the Ma
tiOnal ofices-oue seething reeking, foI
and damnng villainy rami6es through
every department Of the G, vernment. =
Bribery may be said to be The key note t.
which everything else vibrates in Wash
l iugton.
=, The President set tie example when
/ great public measure. involving vital prn
r ciples, was before Congress. by openl,
a holding out Foreign Missions and otbe
high governmental positions, as the re
4 vard Of subservisncy to his behesis AM
: treason 10 constituents. The heads Of de
9 parlments boldly descended into the aren
Of the Congressional floor, and coGtendet
: Tor victory by promising fat contract
!, and minor Offices as brides to obtain TIN
= votes Of congressman for Administration
n measures. Tie sale OF the National prop
: erty--of Foit reserves like that oil Snelin,
= ARE made the objects Of conspiracy
a and The Chief ofthat Department 10 whic
| honor Las heretofore been supposed to b
's the peculiar and especial guiding star, is
II by the coDspirstors who need his aiu. in
directly hribed to wink at and assist thei
At robbery OF the Ppopl'.
h Minor Offices follow suit on the hig
q road ofputlic corruption travelled by thei
;, superiors, and finally, the whole clan {
\ men of etching palms" found ,hemselve
r. justified in their bribery and peculsti1n b
y the recent concurrent public action of III
a Executive and Legislative Departments {
Il the Government, in offering 10 the peopl
o Of Kansas the huge bride OF several million
% oi acres OF land, and sovereign power,
n they would but ignore principle and ia
: down and worship the Leoohpton Moloc'
: OF Slayeryl This capped the climax c
!; villainy, and is the best evidence of tn
It radical corruption which covers with II
l mould nnd fungus every hoor, and pos
and pillar, and wall Of the National ed
O fee. Corruption stalks through our NJ
ie tionsl Capital. not in disguise. but vii
u uubushing front; the time for vice to see
! dark lanes and private places for its oper'
I tiOns is gone by, and now men are 6oUgl
4 and sold. votss purchased, and all the d.
10 tostable traffic in tie Lopes. weakness,
r. and sorrows OF human nature is carried O
W without shame, What is the traffic in co
ored flesh and blood in comparison 10 th
at traffic OF men, sVhite men il you please, 8
ra ected from among intelligent freemen
IN make laws for great and powerful NJ
- - tion? Is not this system Of seIvitude
IN sufficient magnitude to command the a
IT, tention Of the country without trouble
- ourselves about the "peculiar" servitut
al Of the South? The cause of this deplor
~ ~ BILE state Of morals among men high
at power the Republican will tell us is attri
en- utableho tho demoralz alton consequent u
'ly on the effects Of the Administration to 2
" through the Lecorpton Fiaud. But
no tbis not rather confoundipg what is mere