The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-01
THE DECLINE or PUBLIC MORALS. WHO is RE
SpONSIBIER

become the representatives Of faction. They are
irresponsible for legislation for the conduct of the
federal Union and for the character Of our nstitu-
tons Tins is partisanship with yengeance-all-
pervading, dishonest gambling partisanship. Under
it the government is a stake to be or lost by
management trading, intrigue, tricks, and fraud.
IL is war Of determination waged against insti-
tntions the practical withdrawal from Congress of
nearly half Of lbs members, or their employment,
while under pay in efforts 70 clog the wheels OF the
State TO degrade its character and to destroy its
fulness We know of no step in the downward
movement of the government which exhibits so much
of essential reckessness, little of true patriotism,
and promises to bear corruptng aud disorderly
results A great party which seeks control of the
public administration proclaims its purpose to OBJ
struct the movement of the public machine--uses
It's power not to throw responsibility upon the major
ity but 10 relieve its own members of obligation to
perform their duties as representatives of the people
What else is il, when the republicans declare their
purpose, as party, TO cripple and embarass the
administration, and announce that they assume no
responsibility for doing, than aburation oftheir
obligations as members of Congress Are they not
voters in the body? Are they not speakers2 Are
they not committee Are they misrepresentation
10 whom is committed the discharge Of grave and
responsible public duties 2 How, then, they TO
be relieved of the obligations which the constitution
has deyolyed upon them, and which they have sworn
10 dischargeq Do they plead that the people elect
ed a majority Of members opposed to the policy
they regard just and right and hence insist that
upon that majority the whole burden Of the govern
raent resist Does the federal compact recognise
parties Does it embrace provision exenptng
the minority from the responsibilities of legislation
Does it confer sovereign power upon the majority
Is Congress- no longer dehberatve body Has
the of sectionalism thus .,. upon the haton'
and its fruits to be found in the doctrine oi an
archy and disorder and the prostraon of the public
administration .....
Political organizations are necessary results in all
free government. They spring from the very foun-
tain of our institutions. They invite public scrutiny
into the conduct of representatives. They promote
the widest range and latitude of discussion They
educate the people TO habits of examination of the
institutions of the government and qualify them to
exercise sound Judgment upon all measures bearing
upon their interests We regard political organiza-
fions and efforts to maintain them essential to the
preservation of our political system. But there is a
wide distinction between the utterance of an opinion
and the performance of an act-between talking and
voting in the House of Representatives. No man in
this country Of free speech, of newspapers tce-
graphs, and watchful vigilance can utter sentiments
and calculate upon exemption from responsibility
for what he may say and it viii be evil day, in
deed when men can Uote in Congress- and claim such
exemption.
II the republicans are determined that they win
throw the whole burden of responsibility upon the
administration and the democratic party let them
also have the nanliness to cast all duties upon
them to retire from the hall and leave legislation
to those who have patriotism and honesty enough to
perform the service imposed ppon the Legislature.
So long as they remain and find their chief employ
ment in throwing obstacles in the way of fair minded
men in defeating the majority and in attempts to
degrade and PROSTATE the government the people
viii hold them to account.
The country have been accustomed to faction but
they are to witness its operations on broader
scale, welded aud controlled by holder and more mis-
chievous leaders. large majority of great sec
ton of the Union, and nearly half of the represent
atives the floor of Congress- formally notify the
people that they no longer to be regarded as re-
sponsble for their conduct as representatives. No
honest need fear to render an account of his
stewardship No honest will act that he fears
to be responsible for what he does. II is only tho
depraved and the fallen Che weak and The cowardly,
that seek to avoid the responsibility of their conduct
DO the republicans claim tho reward of upright |
dealing? Then let them act as TO merit approba
ton and applause. They have the power TO delay
legislation, to defeat all essential and
necessary TO the successful operations of the
government and if it is their policy to do so,
Let them do it, and assume the responsibility Of
their conduct before the country. Wemght then say
they were unfit to be the representatives of the PEG,
pie that they had Justly forfeited public confidence
that their scheme revolutionary, their action
patriotic and factious, and their policy destructive.
But 10 accomplish all this under protest against
responsibility would be conduct inefaby
mean so degrading to manhood, as TO invite univer
sal contempt and indignation.
But we convinced that il is impossible tounite
All the republicans in any such scheme. There are
honorable men in that organization who viii not
lend themselves to the work of unmihgatod faction
They may seek to obtain advantages for their party
but they have too mueE patriotism, too much
ect for the character of the government and their