Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-08-03

crime and vice and Vlifatny ant COrrup-
ton in the Northern States, than IN any
Empire or Kingdom of Europe. What
wonder, when the unjust has become q
sribune for political hsrrangues, in
which the Gospel Of Hate and the Greed
Of the Devil are openly taught.
Nor, finally, ought we to omit the
general disregard Of truth, and The little
value set upon it. There never was q
country Oh earth, in which lies were SC
common, so little ashamed OF, so profta-
bic, as ours. That is a disease that is in
the very marrow OF the bones OF the
country, until there Is no man, even in
the high places Of the Nation, whose
statements of fact are accepted as un
OCCASIONALLY true by other men. Cor.
ruption legislates for the nation and the
State, and sits brazen-faced on the
Bench ia the municipal affairs Of cities
it rules supreme, until all men have sc
cepted it as a necessity Of Government,
The Albany argus paints the condi-
ton OF the country as follows. with the
accuracy Of one thoroughly familiar
with il.
The existence Of q general demoraiiza-
tion will not be denied by any observing
and candid man. It is everywhere seen
aud felt. The consequences are wide
spread, and everywhere stare Us in the
face The causes, strikingly developed
Of late, can be traced far into the past.
The leading causes Of this decentralization
are found in the love Of money, the ease
with which, under certain circumstances,
it can be acquired, and its influence
upon society, and the failure Of our
moral and religious teachers to perform
the duties expected from them. II needs
no argument 10 prove that excessive love
Of money is injurious 20 individuals and
society. 1t concentrates the affections
upon what neither increases happiness
in this world nor points the way to
heaven. 1t blunts the moral feelings
and blinds the understanding, when en-
gagged 10 the business Of the world, and
causes US 10 lose sight Of the rights OF
others when in conflict with our own.
But the ease and facility with which
wealth has OF late been obtained is a
leading cause Of the decentralization
which we so earnestly deplOre.
One great source of obtaining wealth
with ease is found in the prostitution Of
the legislative power Of the country by
congress and the state legislatures, in
comforting facilities upon favored classes,
and thereby enabling them TO make
money rapidly. The public lands have
been the subject of perpetual plumber,
through gifts, grants, and licenses,
wholly unauthorized by the constitution,
or q ground Of right. Iuthus wasting
the public domain, members Of congress
become demOrslized by selling their
votes. Tariffs to protect certain classes
against competitiOn, making consumers
nav more for things than they are worth,
have been another easy means Of graft
fving the thirst for money. Jobs author
lied by congress have afforded great
facilities for making it rapidly. The
creation Of thousands Of public offices,
mostly useless, where the incumbents
handle public money and property, aud
exercise control over the means of gov
eminent, and especially those military
and other officers who make, interpret
and execute their own laws, offer the
brOGdest and most fruitful opportunities
Of securing wealth. These jobs and
offices find ample Illustration under the
manifestations Of our state legislation,
including the numerous instances Of for
tunes acquired in being made satisfied"
to vote for or against certain measures.
A broad source Of this evil is the legis-
lation, now common, in congress aud
| elsewhere, designed to secure political
I power in the hands now exercising il.
! Laws are daily enacted by congress for
this special purpose. Our legislature has
done the same thing. The internal rev.
| enue laws have been framed partly for
this purpose. The Investigating and
travelling committees instituted by on
gress, the military despotism established
by law down south, much Of the pro-
ceedinEs in congress, and the arbitrary
rules Of the senate on the question OF
confirming nominations, have scarcely
auv other object 10 view.
our deadly Indian Tars, like the late
Mormon war, has been brought on and
are mainly conducted with reference TO
money-making by certain classes, in
which the white spectators are generally
the aggressors. Shipbuilding, the sup
PLYING ornaments, and arms and muni-
tiOns Of war-wheu the supplies for the
army and navy largely point TO the same
object. These endless facilities for oh
tanning wealth and pe~rpetuating party
power has made a multitude Of men
rich. Those who were yesterday so poor
that "none would do them reverence"
are to-day m~illI0nEires, the leaders Of
fashion and expense, aud apparently
men Ofthe highest confederation. Hence,
il Is not strange that men seek TO become
rich. Wealth enables them 10 change
from the lowest TO the highest position
in society, and TO receive the pleasing
compliments which they C Obsequi-
ousiy paid to others.
Formerly these things we're not so. |
Why this wonderful changer The
answer is ct hand. 10 is because u
moral and religious teachers, instead Of
i~nstructiDg and guiding the people in
the true principles o fmOrals and religion. I
which lead to honor and patriotism,
have yielded TO the demands OF party
and 10 the Gala CT political demagogues,
thus converting their high ballings into
instruments OF partisan warfare. In
stead Of repressing the undue love of
money aud extravaganza, they have
a%ppiauded those who cherish both, and
have not unfreqEently become partici-
pants. Many instead Of pointing the
way 10 heaven, have led their trusting
followers along the crooked paths Of
demsgOgues, and have bscOme their
Obedient subordinate, and have often
labored in houses dedicated to
the exclusive worship Of God
to secure political results. Many
seek at the hands Of political leaders, or
at the treasury, rewards for their IN
natural services. Had they manifested
the same zeal ia favor of good morals,
pure religion, and stern, SET sacrificing
patriotism, the present deplOrable
decentralization would not have oe-
There IS n0W hut one remedy.
Let ell honest men speak out aud write
REFRESHING and discriminating the evil.
Let the authors Of it receive stern re-
Dukes. Let all well-meaning men cease
to c-Ounten8nce them, and heartily en-
gage in the work Of ref0rm-Countenance
only good and true men, and spurn all
Let men act ont in practice
what they would preach ia private, when
conversing With good and honest men.
While bad and reckless men are honOred
with public confidence and reward for
noisy and Incorporate Zeai-while vote
are sold at the polls, and demagognes
and corrupt men buy themselves into
places Of trust and cnnfdence-wbiIe
Legislators are bought and sold
while those claiming 10 be lead
moral aud religious men and patriots.
only cOunteDanCe and uphold. but
applaud and aid those known to be nm.
worthy, 20 real reform car be expected.
II the mssses Of the people will set their
faces against those things, and those
guilty Of these wr0ngs-crime8-they can
compel a change. They can force men
10 conform 20 their professions by refus-
ing all confidence to those who do not.
They can enforce better examples. When I
act in earnest, the decentralization
with which we are afflicted will sOon
disappear, and be succeeded by old-fash-
sincerity and honesty. We wish
10 see men engage in this good work with
he zeal and perseverance, OF honest re-
formers, and talk and act as il free and
10 earnest. We shall expect their efforts
will be crowned with success. Until
hen the course Of decentralization will
continue 10 rest upon Us, with all its ter
-ible consequences.
STATE NKWs-THE ELECTION T,
Negroes voted on the lst for the first /
line 10 Tennessee, and Il Is a wonderful ,
Instance Of b -lOrbearauCe Of the white =
me ID nj 4