North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-06-12


Among independent men of both parties
there is as cordia: an approval Of the it-
ness as there is of the vigor Of the style
in which Mr.. Greeley squelches the es-
poinage of the Loyal League. This ex-
ample Of manly independence, it is to be
hoped, will not be lost on the slaves Of
this secret conclave. Very many of the
persons attached to this organization have
yielded up to it the keeping of their polit-
ical consciences, and have been made to
feel that to refuse unquestioning obedience
to its DEGREES would be u political and
moral crime. The more ignorant have
been made to believe that voting any other
than the republican ticket, or supporting
candidates not approved by it's adoption,
would lie violation Of their oaths,
The corrupt and debasing tendency of
1t reduces politics to their vilcst elements,
praved Of its leaders. Secure of the ad-
venture upon measures which would never
be submitted to the ordeal of open debate
and public opinion. Regarding themselves
as the exponents of the party, they arro-
gate the right to select the candidates and
such conclave, corruption borrows its
comgenial darkness there are hatched the
schemes for electing Governors that will
be useful and profitable to the lobby, and
safe to the party; there is erected the
to Office and jobs to legislation are sold
there political favor is dispensed to some,
for price, and there prescription is meted
out for revenge.
Independence of opinion, strictly mar
party, in such organizations, is utterly lost.
devoted to special objects, impelled by in
huences that move in one direction, each
fiery zealot intlaming another, and all
shielded from public criticism, the action
of such bodies becomes race Of ultraism.
The ideas and purposes of intriguing, The
ambitious and the selfish control the whole
mass. All are carried as far as he who
goes farthest, because each fears that he
may be left behind the rest. We're the
history of the Loyal League to lie read in
the light of day we should see that the ul-
traism of Congress, the setting aside of
the supposed finality of to-day for some
ultraism tomorrow, has sprung, in
great degree, from the inhamcd discus
sions of these secret and irresponsible CO.
balls. The action of such political clubs,
when they guide the party in power, car
ry it towards despotism; when they in
spire the action of the party out of power
they carry it towards revolution and trea-
son.
1t is a natural progress of ideas for such
Clubs to erect secret tribunals to enforce
conformity among their members. This
machinery, to be useful to the leaders,
must be under absolute control. By.
threats of prescription. by denouncing as
pcrjured and recreant to the Order, any
member who refuses implicit obedience,
and by dread of the secret ban, the mass
are reduced to abject submission to this
inquisitorial and selfconstituted dcspot-
ism.
BY the jurisdiction which the League
at New York has undertaken to extend
over the editor the Tribune, we may con-
lecture the nature and extent of the power
which is brought to bear Oh members less
distinguished Il less. capable of self-defense.
These members, and the whole country,
owe debt of gratitude to Mr.. Greeley,
for the bold and defiant attitude with
which he has met the assumption of this
corrupt and despotic ombination.- Utica
IN. ~ Obsarer.