The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-20

ciples, controls the municipal elections
throughout the city, and a stlll more ex-
tended circle manages TO take from the con
troll Of the masses all nominations for State or
Federal Offices, and 10 dictate to them how to
cast that vote which they consider the dearest
privilege Of ffeemen. This Is humIlating to
think OF, but must be admitted to be perfectly
matter Of fact. Our political affairs are
governed by cliques.
Then, In tho world Of fashion, who Is Il that
imposes upon the great mass Of society the
absurdities we witness on the prOmenade2
Do our boaux and bellies consider what is con-
venient, comfortable, tasteful, or beautiful?
Not at all; they content themselves with tho
question, What Is fashionablep And who
wields the sceptre in the matter Of manners
and gaments2 A clique, undoubtedly; per-
haps composed Of ladies and gentlemen Of
taste and ingenuity, but Just as likely to com
prise those who are utterly devoid Of those
! qualities. Those who desire TO be a Ia mode
do not stop 10 inquire as TO the origin of the
style, but follow the example set with as close
mimicry as the Chinese tailor when he
finished the coat with patch. There is no
dispute, we believe in reference to the entire
domination of cliques in The regulation Of
| what we wear.
AS TO journalism, it is difficult for us to
| speak upon a subject of so much delicacy, and
in which we have no especial interest. But
we do not hesitate to say that, in many in
stances, we have seen the influence of the
clique in the regulation of leading newspapers
reaching degree Of subservency which rem
ders sheets, otherwise respectable, only worthy
of contempt. Not only have combinations OF
men governed the course ofindividual papers,
and, to suit their private ends, guided them in
the worst possible channels, but the force
exerted upon several journals at a time for the
same purpose is often so conspicuous, that
there Is no other conclusion than the common
sense one, that the clique has been at work.
But upon this portion of the subject we will
not extend our remarks
In our ordinary social circles we meet
cliques at every turn. There is the "Tickle
me and I'll tickle you," in the clubs of promi-
nent men, which has begun to be appreciated
generally, and eXcites Unusual comment. The
toadyism Of certain circles has been mani
tested in so many instances that the commu-
nifty who read the reports paraded in he
journals Of the day, have at last awakened to
the consideration of the means by which they
were brought before the public. Now, a
publisher wins distinction in his peculiar
sphere, and he must be leasted. Accordingly
there is a gathering Of his peculiar friends
and they play the toady, in the fond expecta-
ton that the time may come when they tob
may enjoy the same ovation.
Then man who has some prominence as a
politician, needs the bolstering Of clique,
and his social connections are invoked to
bring him into lofty position before his fel-
low-men. Perhaps the chosen one is dlstin-
guished in the walks Of science. The clique
takes him and crowns hi hrows with immor-
tai wreaths. Perchance he is man of wealth
and, oh, what degree Of sycophancy will be
lavished upon him by a clique who have great
hopes of profting by such companyl But this
will do for an evil which all feel, and have long
ago admitted.