Southern shield., 1858-08-28
Political KkarIotry Confessed.

TaE TAX ON OFFICIALS.-We see 1t re- ported, we do not care upon what authority, that tax is levied upon the persons en- ployed in the government service and the payment thereof exacted. We are ignorant of the authority upon which this payment is demanded or the purposes to which it is ap- piled when received. We trust, however, that whatever may be thus collected may be aojsely and economically applied 10 adoGnce the interests 0f the Democl dtic pGTty in it's great struggle with the opposition It is said that from one-Quarter to one-half of one per cent. on the salaries of officials are thus exacted. Now, without knowing any, thing of the alleged tax, and with no be- lief in its existence, as a general thing, we have just this to say on the subject: if there is person in the public service who does not UOi1e1idliy contribute the amount, Gt least, Of ttCo dollars and c halfG ycar on each tho4sGnd doT0rS Of his soJ0ry to SUD- port the cause Of the Democracy, he should be DISMISSED AT ONCE, and his place filled by one who is patriotic and liberal enough 10 DOUBLE THE CONTRIBUTION. We believe the cause to justify it's support, and those who refuse to aid in that patriotic work should be the last to complain if they are deprived of the special favors of those in power. We would recommend no system of espionage, no mean efforts to hunt out the miserable ScGrenqeyS who devote four or five hours of indolence at their desks and the balance of their time to assaults upon the Democracy; but that forbearance which keeps them in office a moment after their treacherv IS known. Is sadly misplaced. It is nctori- ous fact that more thGD hat the patronage of this government IS bestowed upon such unworthy and uutrustworthy men. We hold it to be certain that ir politics only needs an opportunity to betray his trust and sacrifice the interests and character of the government. Political immortality and per sonal morality are impossible elements in the same individual.
 The above is so aStounding-so bold, so open, shameless, and unblushing that it may stagger honest people, and incline them to the opinion that it is spurious-a wholesale islander, got up for the express purpose of in- turing the Administration of Mir. Buch anan, of which the Washington Union is the acknowledged, duly accredited, official organ. Therefore, before proceeding to comment upon t as it deserves, we will state that the editor of this paper cut it from the editorial columns of the Union of the 12th inst, where it appeared as genuine editorial article, so that there may be no mistake about 1t.
 We have never seen, throughout a somewhat protracted experience in political life, so barefaced an avowal of corrupt practices, or so shameless a confession of partisan turpitudo.- But neither shame nor remorse is manifested over the unasked for, hu- initiating admissions of guilt, by the Government organ. Indeed, the Un- ion rather takes pride in blazoning before the world that which should hand over to the indignation of the country the Administration 1t repre- sent8, and consign all the parties con- cerned to the deepest shades of ob scurity.
 The Union is as methodical as 1t is unqualified in it's confession of the dishonest practices resorted to to sus- tain the party in power of which it is the newspaper head. It does not "care upon what the authority" the report is based that Ca tax is levied upon the persons employed in the Gov ernment services In this respect it is altogether careless. It does not know upon what ground "this pay ment is demanded or the purposes to which it is applied when received" ."- Blissfully unsophisticated Union!- But, here is a tacit admission that some sort of "payment is demand ed'' from the Government employees. The Union then goes on to hope that the sums thus collected may be "wisely and economically applied to advance the interests of the Demo- cratic party" etc. Now, the Union continually boasts about the purity, integrity and patriotism of the Dem ocratic party. What use has a pure, upright and patriotic party, for "cor ruption fund'' made up of assessments levied upon poor clerks in the depart ment8, post offices, custom-houses, bureaus, and other branches of the national service? This is a question the honest public will demand to have answered. Shufling, evasion, or qhibbling, will not suffice. If the party owes its existence to the power of money, the sooner 1t is plotted out the better for the country-the better for honesty, patriotism and virtue.
 Then the Union proceeds to talk in a style that may be interpreted both as pursuader and a threat. It is sta tistical, also. It indicates pretty clearly the amounts to be levied and collected. The arithmethic has evi- dently been consulted, and the sums total figured out. It says: eff there is a person in the public service who