American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-12-05
Lights and Shadows of the Late
Elections.

|
Elections.
While the results of the late elections
present many features calculated to re-
joice the hearts of ali good citizens, they
also present some features Of a character
to make every patriotic citizen blush that
even thus much of shamelessness and
moral degradation should. mar the char
acter of our national political system =
The grand aggregate majority of 400
900 is the most brilliant vindication of
our people from the charge of sordid,
mercenary motives that ever graced the
annals of political history. That the
people should condemn by such over
whelming najorities, policy supported
by all the Establishments of power, the
emoluments of office and allurements of
almost unbounded patronage, is the
most sublime truth of the purity of the
patriotism and incorruptibility .of the vr-
tue of an educated, intelligent democra-
cy. Never before were people SO
tempted by bribery, corruption and We
nality of never kind, to support a party
policy, and every was sucn an over
whclming rebuke administered to the
inflated pride of delegated power. New
er was nation so disgraced by its repre-
sentative head, and never was bloated
egotism and blinded higotry in its pride
of power SO completely omasculated by
an insulted and indignant people. Such
exhibitions of public virtue, intelli gence
and patriotism are the most cheering eV-
licences of the progress we are making.
as we'll as of the safety with which We
may rely upon virtuous aud intellIgen5
patriotism as the buiwars of orr repubIi-
can institutions But while we thus re-
ioice over the general healthfulness of
our oody polite, We cannot oyerleek the
fact that the seeds of dire leprosy,
though comparatively dormant still exist
in our political system. That few jus
dases were found among the high as well
as the low, that some grown gray in their
country's service aud crowned with her
fairest laurels, that others distinguished
by deeds of valor in upholdiug the "Star,
.ry Flag" on bloody fields, should be
tempted to barter their laurcls for paltry
office, or sell their life long principles,
born of honest convictions, for the empty
promises of defunct political organiza-
ton, though matter of national humil-
iation, is scarcely to be wondered at
That the filthy slums and dark purlieus
of New York city should pour forth their
drunken and licentious tide of human de.
pravity, to roll up a majority of $4,000
against cleanliness, sobriety, decency aud
the observances Of christian Sabbath is
dark and shameful stain upon our na-
tional c cutcheon but even this has its
bright relcf in the fact that the sobrety
and virtue of New lork's rural popula>
tion is sufficient to hold this tide of wick
edness, crime, wretchednesS aud m sery
in abeyance. That all the immense pat>
ronage of the government should be bole-
ly, shamefully, deiantly, welded for par
tisan purposes by the chief executive OF
the nation, is fearful comment upon the
integrity and virtue OF our pubic men
t at 1T should accomplish so little is the
grandest vindlca ton of the moral integ-
rity of our people. After such au exhi
btion of the incorruptiblliiy of the peo
pie, the apostles of liberty and humanity
may take long breath, assured that,
though constant and continued effort is
ever necessary, the crisis is passed and
the long agony anu bloody strife of the
pat will yield, in the future, sure and
rich fruition, in larger liberty, strict
er justice, tiuer humanity, a moie
abundant prosperity. ~. american.
~r>-.@D--~S-