Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-01-27
Vol 80: No. 5

tlons The ineongraity is glaring and the abuse
IS so monstrous that it find no justification, ex-
| eept IN the usage of politics.
And no one is so stupid as to suppose that money
80 wrongfuiiy extorted is rghtfuily employed. For
an the proper and necessary expenses of political
canvass the money IS contributed readily but there
are ways and means Of using money corruptIv and
TOT these base and corrupt purposes the money
must be raised IN way and this system of tax
alton IS one, and shameful one. But it is of little
use TO raise voice Of remonstrance against specific
acts OF wrong doing, when we fnd as this trial has
disclosed, that the rotenness is in the bones of the
body OF politics, and that corruption is ainting the
entire atmosphere of the political world Perbans
the inability of the jury to agree is evidence of the
/ seste OF puDIlc opinion this subject They were
nearly equally diyided-about six for one and half A
aozen Tor the other-they could not agree In their
opinion upon the submitted to them after three
/ weeks investigation And the opinion of the pub
I nc may be divided IN the same manner. But there
Is no dispute among honest men as to the great fact
that our politics, National, State and Municipal,
have become fearfuly demoralized and the time has
come Tor revolution IN sentiment and radical re-
form, II we would preserve the moral life of the
nation, and even the forms of intelligent hberty-
Inns terrible truth brought out with great pow
er IN the speeches of lawyers but such appeals are
SO generally regarded as interested declamations,
at they fail to make the proper impression ON the
popular mind and heart. We take up the appeal
We proclaim it from the tribune of the press, and
IN the ears OF the very who ought to be aroused
to their duty mean thoughtful, intelligent up
right citizens, who stand aloof from political
parties and do all their work for the country in the
one minute of the year when they drop their votes
into the ballot box. Because such men hare deser-
ted the field Of political action politics are noD
managed By another set and sort Of men Behold
and see the menwho manipulate the votes of the
people and elect themselves And behold also the
men Of intelligence and worth and vast wealth who
are self-exed from all participation in the admins
Lraton Of public affairs 1t is primarily their own
fault Ii would beimpossble to persuade them now
to venture into the political arena and expose them
selves to the dust and mre of its stries for place
and power. 1t may be too late 10 prevail on the
better portion of the people to awake and arise in
their might, and expel from power the men who now
legisate tor hire and job the interests of their con-
stItuents. But the experiment is worth trying
This city is worth saving. The State is worth saw
ing. The Nation is also. And unless this corrup-
ton of politics, the pestence that now walketh in
darkness, is stayed it is in vain that we put down
armed rebels against the Government and cherish
these vipers in the bosom of the people
Far above the strife of mere political parties and
above the shortlved questions of the day. rises the
great oyershadowing truth that money rules our
politics, that money buys men into Office and buys
their votes after they in Office, and that it snec-
essary ito make it object for Legislators to give
their influence to this or that measure before they
will support it and thus the interests of the commu-
nifty made merchandise of, under the bassest of
all forms of traffic. These are things to be thought
of by religious men. We speak unto wise men
y