Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-10

rs the central seat of the government-the
public ces-Congress itself, Il byword
and reprnach with the yet uncontamlnated
mass Of the people, but the belief that cor
ruption testers there, and is thence diifus-
ed like subtle poslon, through every
branch of the public administration DEEPEN
dug upon it. Have not Senators OF the
dominant party-elcyated by their charac-
ter Us wellas their positi"n-"penly proclaim
ed in the Senate chamber their solemn COLI
yiction that the Government ot the | nItei
States of which they form part, rs the
most corrupt now existing on the habitat bic
gl"be?'
The time is come, then. when patriots and
good men Of all political denominations must
seriously reflect upon the duties which they
owe t. their country, irrespective ot mere
marty considerations. II We mean to pre-
serve the noble heritage of freedom which
our ancestors have transmitted to US, now Is
the time To make the effort. Public moral
ity is the only basis on which free instl-
tutions can stand If that is once sapped
the edifce itself must crumble to the ground.
have not been an inattentlve observer,
fellow-citzens, of what has passed in other
countries, rs well Us our own. during the
eventful epoch in which We live. have
witnessed the downfall of al ancient mon
urchy in Europe. ] have seen Il consttu-
tiunnl representative government establish
ed upon its ruins; and in eighteen short
wears. have seen that government subver-
ted by revolution, 10 make way, alter Il
brief and conyulsve period of anachy, for Il
military despotism. -
What occasioned the premature downfall
of the representative government Of France
1t was political corruption undermining 1t
ut its base Louis Philippe and his minis.
ters. instead of resting Oh the virtue and
intelligence of the country for support,
sought to rule it 10y All open and shameless
system of corruption. The elective franchise
being confined to = comparatively small
portion of the nation, and that fraction be-
ins itself corrupted by the Government.
the mass of the people could right them
selves only by revolution; and the Govern
ment fell
1t is remarkable instance of the GER
taintv with which effects follow their causes
in the political world, that NJ. de Tocque-
villc one of the most profound political phi
loSophers ofths or any other age, ann"un-
ced from his place in the Chamber of Depu-
ties, while all seemed sure and stable i'll the
eyes of the Government, that the country
was sleeping upon Volcano, AMI that 4 rev
olution was at hand. And what WAS the
ground of his prediction? There had then
been no popular tumults--no public disor-
iers. He pointed alone to the deprivation
of the public morals 10y the mal-practices
4. of the governmental the system of polit-
zeal corruption it had introduced and OH
which it rclied-as the fatal cause which
must inevitably bring Oh national cat'Is-
trophe. -
Now. fellow-citizens, take upon myself
with some knowledge OF facts III both coun-
tries to say, that great As were the abuses
then committed 10y the Government "i
France. tley were, in no respect, greater
than those which are this day revealed 10
us as habitually, Systematically, practiced by
our own Government Fortunately Tor uS,
cur political institutions have, III the general
right of suffrage furnished the people OF
America with AN efficient instrument for tl.c
peucehle correction of these abuses, II they
choose to make use of it, This great right,
Mr.. jefferson has emphatically told us, IL
the appropriate and "peaceable corrective OF
abuses which in other countries are Topped
by the sword of revolution But il the pco-
pie. cnslavrd by their party leaders, will not
apply the corrective, il is the same thing rs II
they hui it not, and we must then, like other
nations. run the risk of violent reactions
and revolutions, of which few can foresee the
issue. when they are once entered upon.
We have had impressive adm0ntlons that
these are not mere visionary spccuati"ns.
even in this land o. the largest liberty
What have already been the results of the
needless exercise, or of the party enslave-
mcnt Of the right Of suffrage in the hands
of certain portions of the American people?
Have we not seen vigilance committees,
torcibly superscding. in several large com
munities. municipal governments that
sprang from the forms Of popular election,
but whose abuses and corruptlnns were So
great that the most virtuous, and, IN Senrr
al pcurr-loving-r itizenS, co-operatcd III their
overthrow; and even those who gave exis
tence to them by their suttragcs, looked On,
and rcjoiced in their downfall.
And what is this but revolution! And
may not what has occurred in Your cities.
occur, in process of time, on the theatre Of
the nation, il such enormous governmental
abuses n have exposed to You this day. be
permitted to <" on, not only unc"rrcctcd, but
accommodating, AMI acquiring more daring
badness hv in.punitY' cave not, heseech
You frllow.citzens, this dear native land "i
ours to the cruel alternative OF tahe sur
render Of it's Liberties, or Of fearful Resort Ia
ID revolutionary vigilance committee taking
possession Of the Government at " ashington.
No, tellow-citi20ns. let Us organize our L.
gal, constitutional, salmtary vigilance com
nittees at the polls Let us throw of the
debasing shackles Of party thradom, and as
scrt the majesty and sovereignty of the
popular will. Let u. resolve by the potent
voice of our suiira9cs to exclude from the
high places of the Government those, whether
individuals or parties, who have in any man
mar sanctioned, participated in or been a.
cessory to the gross and daring abuses which
dishonor the country, while they imPerl lis
! liberties.
know there are many of my Democratic
! friends who loathe and detest the official ini-
quitel as do. say to them, then, respect
| fully but earnestly-io not make yourselves
responsible for and accessory to such abuses,
| by giving your confidence and support To
those who practice them. Stand up in the
virtue and manliness Of your own freedom.
Your are the rightful masters. Do not con
aent To- Wear the furnished and dI7h0Rorcd
! livery Of your servants. You owe no allegl
| anre but To your country; and she now calls /.