Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-21
PUBLIC LEDGER.
THE RIVAL MALIGYANTs.

The old story of SIMON CAMERON S
propensities for bribery is passing
through the fortieth edition. That is a
wonderfully popular story, and the hun
dredth edition may be anticipated. 1t
is boldly charged that he bribed the
members of the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture, and thus secured his election to the
Senate. Old STEVENS obtained only
seven votes in caucus, yet, the members
are as bitterly radical as the old stager
himself. CAMERON does not, it is said,
hesitate to buy his way to power. STE
VEINS thinks the better plan is to force
one way upon the angry tide OF passion,
vengeance and eternal deviltry After
CAMERON gets in, he beats STEVENS at
the game of violence. The latter looks
about him in amazement. CAMERON was
quiet until the goal was won. There was
not whisper to testify to particle OF
passion, hate or vengeance. He was as
unruffied as peacock in the Gains OF
June. There was streak of conserva-
tism to be conciliated, but not,
perhaps, to be purchased. The by
enas of the party, growing over tho
graves where the South mourns, might
be bought, for wrath, tyranny and hate
are ever purchasable commodities.
Therein consisted his wisdom. Therein
was illustrated his sagacity. Therein
was measured and bounded his meanness.
Playing the role of patriot with one,
that If bravo with another, that of a
lamb with others, and that of a liberal,
mad.cap spendthrift with the many, won
the prize. SIMON CAMERON defeated
STEVENS and carried away the big thing
of the Senatorship of Pennsylvania.
THADDEus, the bold dreamer Of the up
per house, beheld day-visions of the most
rapturous description. Going into the
Senate, he might succeed the impeached
ANDREW JOHNSON The President
of that body would step into ANDY S
shoes There, he might collar SUMNER,
kick FEssENDEN, and beard old WADE in
bis Senatorial den. But how tickle is
fortune CAMERON lived, and thrust him
self betwixt old THAD. and the light.
CAMERON is master of the situation.
The moment the Senatorial dignity de-
scended upon him, he burst out into a
paroxism of wrath, and placed his cor
rupt foot on the neck of the South. The
Shiny worm has been transmitted into the
form of roaring lion, and bowls note
of vengeance that roars all over the world
STEVENS, in astonishment, pauses mo-
ment, turns pale, then red, then darkly
blue, and sits down cursing the genius
that robbed him of the glory Of being the
greatest tyrant and malignant living.
Meanwhile, there is dismay in the camp
of the Pennsylvania sJacobins The
election Of CAMERON has thrown them
into the direst confusion. The Legisla-
ture is threatened, ..and told that the peo-
pie who had fixed their hearts on STE
VEINS, will hold it to an accountability.
SAYS the Pittsburg Jacobin organ:
We feel entirely confident that the
wishes of the great body of the Republi-
cans Of the State have been hsgrantly
disregarded, and a deep and lasting
injury inflicted on their party organizs-
ton. They who have done this great
wrong-at least those who have proved
faithless-independent of the suspicion
which necessarily attaches to their action,
have incurred degree of responsibility
which men seldom venture to take upon
themselves, and it is not moment to be
doubted that they will be held by their
constituents and the people at large to a
rigid account for their glazing moral and
political delinquencies.
We like this 1t is sort Of oasis in
the desert of gloom. May we behold
them bursting upon every prospect