New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-18
STOOL PIGEONS.


mittee to investigate the corruptious connected
with the recent printing jobs of that body, going
back far enough to cover the proceedings In
relation to the last Presidential election, that
were associated Herewith. Mr.. Wendell was
formerly Printer, and it has always been al
legged that large part of his profits were ap-
propriated to carrying elections. The Commit
tee referred 10 are still in session. and no part of
their action has come officially to light. But enough
has leaked out to show that all that was ever
charged, is likely to be fully sustained by the facts
disclosed in the investigation.
Meantime some curious incidents have come out
in regard to the Fillmore, or third party, in the
last Presidential campaign. 1t appears that this
party in the Free States was kept up by the Demo-
cratic managers. 1t is in evidence before the
Committee that fat printing jobs were given to
the Fillmore paper at Buffalo, The Commercial Id
rertiser, and that several thousand dollars were
carried to Philadelphia to establish third party
paper there, to draw off votes from the Republ.
can candidates in aid of the Sham Democracy.
Now, when money is drawn from the members of
any party and applied directly to advancing the
cause of that party, if the uses to which it is ap-
propliated are legitimate, such as printing docu-
ments or defrayiDg the expenses of speakers and
the like, there is nothing to be said against it. Men
pay in such cases for q legitimate object. They
wish to spread their views and principles and to
achieve an honorable success. But the whole case
changes when funds are raised and applied nomi-
naly TO spread the opinions and publications OF
adyersaries, but really for the very different pur
pose of entrapping and befooling honest voters.
All such acts are the fruits of scandaous political
management and intrigue, in which no honorable
man can participate. Yet it was by just such dis
gushing management and intrigue as this, that the
last Presidential election was carried. Voters were
beguiled into supporting third party ticket in the
belief that they were thereby opposing the Sham
Democracy Yet instead of this, they were only
the blind purchased tools of its leaders. They
were merely hoodwn ked victims Of conspiratorsco-
operating to use them for objects they themselves
detested. They were the merest puppets of pO-
ltical farce The fact that they wers ignorant and
unwilling instruments, no way alters the fact. 1t
is OILY testimony TO their ignorance and guilt
bty.
1t is this sort of gaming that bettles and de-
grades potcallie. There is neither honor, nor man
hood, nor dseency in it. And any man or any party
that stoops to such cOntryances, is alike undesery
ing of respect or success. We often hear vague
accounts of such tricks being played on limited
spheres of operation, but we have rarely if ever
heard of their being attempted on the Presidential
= H. I..t Il. II.
tried eflectually in Pennsy yania particularly and
it was the meaps Of carrying that State for Mr.
Buchanan. The third party of that State is now
shown up before the country in the contemplate
attitude referred TO- in on investigation set foot
By Democratic Committee of Democratic body.
The facts brought out are perhaps just what the
gentlemen who set the investigation on foot would
prefer should not be brought out but which they
have to take down with as good gsace as they
can. Though bitter dose, they must swallow it.
These facts have a peculiar significance just now.
in view of tbs circumstance that the managers Of
the same third party that run at tse last Pres
Dental election on Democratic funds, fer Demo-
cratic objects, and which resulted in Democratic
success, are again in the field proposing to do the
same thing at the next canvass. The same shabby
and dsgraecful game that was played then, is to
be undertaken now. Thus We see meetings are
being got up at different points protesting to or
ganize party to oppose the Shaun Democracy, but
which, when the time comes, is 10 DO turned into
courses that will help that Democracy. The meeting
of the remains of the leaders of the American
party at BiDghamtOn few days age, was held with
this purpOse in view. Those gentlemen are all
ready 10 be peDsioned on the roll OF worthless to
whom the dOueeurs of the Democratic party are
reckoned to b. due for services rendered. Aud
this is what they work for. This is what
they were alter at BiDghamton. 1t is tho mean
est and most despicahls kind of labor. 1t is the
work of stool pigeons, of pimps of informers. OF
scaveugers. There is no manly and no honest pur-
nosa in IL