The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-02-20
Gen. Lane.

fer,ing 10 praise rather thaa.. ..censure
when We can do so truihfully. Sc
condly, nosoriety is the life of an,
demagogue; and it matters but liul'
what is said of Lane so he IS tolket
about. tia, is his great desire.
As an old line Democrat we had n,
sympathy with Lane. He was politi
cally brought up and educated in the
very worst school of politics that has
ever existed in the Republic. and he
took in the most corrupt part of hi:
instructions in that school as child
imbibes lis mothers milk. His own
speeches and Confessions" prove this
beyond doubt. He was "dyed in the
WOOL" in the same kettle with Jesse o.
Brightset id omne genas,, and it is need.
less to add another word as 10 the quail
ty of that part Of his training.
But Lane acknowledges, The fact oil
his early tuition. and. puts in the plea
of reformation. There is a remarkable
saying Of wise man, however, which
the poet has paraphrased thus: Just
as The twig is ben. The trees inclined"
and it certainly has great significance
in the present instance.
After Llne's advcn. into Kansas and
his espoussl OF the Free State cause,
We became prejudiced in his favor
quite much so-and this feeling re-
manned with US when We cqma 10 Kan
sas- But close and candid obserya-
I'ol OF his career; quiet but searching
cxamna ion OF his lie ana influence,
have brought about change of opin-
ion with regard to Lane as man and
politician.
A few reasons: We have never seen
single individual made better BY asso-
citation. with him-not one. On tie
Contrary. il bad before, lie or they be-
came verse after the association. If
worthy before they became unworthy
afterwards, unless they cut loose from
his infiu, nee.
As far as we know this..rule is uiA-
om Gn exception. So singular circum-
stance could not bu, awaken reflectiou.
II only evil and corruption flow from a
fountain. ought no, every one be on his
guard, lest the poison reach anI DESTROY
him. Now. We will thank any ore 10
point out TO US a single individual who
has ever been beltered in moral poin,
of view by acquaintance with Lane, or
whose political principles have been
purified. II such a person exists. We
have a desire TO see him.
Now, il citizen loves his country q.
he should, above every consideration of
personal favo'i;ism or prejudice. ,uch
record as thiS must staftle him. Ii one
whose iaiaence is SO bad holds SWAY
what mast be the effec, upon the coun.
Try? Direful indeed. Youth debauel,-
e'l; manhood sunk into debasemen,.
honor in the dust; honesty unknown.
Not more blasting is the poisonous ex-
halaIions Of the upas Of India tlan the
influence of this man. Moral desola-
tion follows in his track; virtue dies in
his presence. lie seems 10 tain, the
very atmosphere he brea:hes.
We write these words with calmness,
after having carefully noted Lanes ca
reer for months. without enmi,y TO the
MN. or any kind Of iil-feeliny towards
him. Il is tile deliberate conclusion TO
which we have been reluctantly driven
by facts which stand out clear as the
MONDAY sun.
How can We uphold such maa and |
be friend to our country? lti,i i'm
possible. Either We must stand BY our |
country and leave Lane 10 his fate. or
We must stand by Lane and forsake our
country. We hesitate no, a moment.
Perish every politician 10 tie land, but
our country never!
Il is not pleasant task 10 write these
paragraphs; bu, it is duty We owe 10
the State. No man can be puiltle,s
who knows Of the existence Of crime
and conceals the criminal. Il is every
ones duty 10 be honest with his coun.
try, with himself, with his friends. I'll
be sees an evil an hides il. lie is par
Iaker Of the sin. Heaven defend us
from being pariaker Of Lanes sins!
Now. If any one can show Us wherein
We are in error in ,bis matter, we are
ready for the light. We desire to deal
Justly with all men.