Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-11-16
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BEDFORD. PA. FRIDAY. NoY IS, isG3
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE
LATE ELECTIONS.

While the results Of the late elections
present many features calculated to rejoice
the hearts of all good citizens they also
present some features ofa character to make
every patriotic citizen blush that even thus
much of shaaelessness and moral degrada-
ton should mar the character Of our ma
tional political system. The grand agere-
gate majority Of 450o00 IS the most bril-
liant 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
overwhelming maiorities, policy supported
by all the Establishments of power the
emoluments Of Office aud the allurements Of
almost unbounded patronage, is the most
sublime proofof the purity Of the patriot
ssm and the incorruptibility Of the yiitue Of
an educated, intelligent democracy. Never
before were a people 50 tempted, by bribery,
corruption and veuality Of every kind. TO
support party policy, and never was such
an Overwhelming rebuke administered 10 tiie
inflated pride of delegated power. Never
was nation so disgraced by its representa-
tive head, and never was bloated egotism
and blinded bigotry in its pride Of power 50
completely emasculate3 by an insulted and
indignant people. Such exhibitions ofpub
lie virtue, intelligence and patriotism are
the most cheering evidences of the progress
we are making, as well as of the safety with
which we may rely upon a virtuous and in
telligent patriotism as the bulwark of our
republican institutions But while we thus
rejoice over the general healthfulness of our
body polite We cannot overlook the fact
that the seeds ola direleprosy, though com
paratiyely dormant still exist in our political
system. Thatafew Judases were found among
the high as well as the low, that grown
gray in their country service and crowned
with her fairest laurels, that others distin-
guished by deeds of valor in upholding the
"Starry Flag on bloody fields, should be
tempted to barter their laurels for paltry
Office, or sell their life long principles, born
of honest convictions. for the empty proml-
ses of adefunct political organization, though
a matter of national humiliation, 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 depravity, to roll up majority of
Al, 900 against cleanliness, sobriety. decency
and the observances OF a christian Sabbath
is dark and shameful stain upon our ma
tional escutcheon but even this has its
bright relief in the fact that the sobriety and
virtue of New York's rural population is
sufficient to hold this tide of wickedness,
crime, wretchedness and misery in allegiance.
That all the immense patronage Of the gov
ernment should be boldly, shamefully, def
antly, welded for partisan purposes by the
chief executive of the nation, is a fearful |
comment upon the integrity and virtue Of
our public men; that it should accomplish |
so little is the grandest vindication of the |
moral integrity of our people. After such |
an exhibition Of the incorruptibility Of the |
people, the apostles of liberty and humanity |
may take a long breath, assured that, though |
constant and continued effort Is ever neces-
sary, the crisis is passed, and the long agony !
and bloody strife of the past viii yield, in the
future, sure and rich fruition, in larger
liberty. strieter justice, a truer humanity,
q more abundant prosperity.