The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-03-08
RADICALESM.

Radicalism and corruption go hand
in hand in this country. Indeed we
are of the opinion that this is natural
and that it has always been so. Just
as insanity and drunkenness are some
times hereditary and constitutional, SO
the peculiar temperament that makes
man Radical, goes far to make him
corrupt and dangerous whenever temp
tation offers, or when interest, ambi-
ton or resentment prompt him to 9TH
er than honorable actions. This may
not be true of the rank and file who
are mere followers of doctrines cum
ningly devised by their leaders, but of
the leaders themselves, who have stud
led and understand the nature and ten
denotes of their teachings, it is scarcely
questionable. The history of Radical
ism in all ages and in every country
that has ever felt its malign influences,
iustifes these assertions. But aside
from the illustrations of history, we
have other reasons for believing them
to be true. Radicalism originates in
an over-weening pride of human rea-
son, and contempt for old and well
established landmarks of all kinds,
whether in morals or politics. 1t can
originate in no other way. The "High-
er Law'' doctrine is essential to its very
existence. Thus, in the Politics of our
own country, its leaders boldly declare
that there is Higher LaW' than the
Constitution, and treat that instrument
and the laws of the land which en-
body the accumulated wisdom of ages,
as of no value.
In morals and religion the same men
are equally intolerant and dangerous.
Here, too, old landmarks are swept
away and their boasted "Human Rea-
son" and ''Higher Law" reigns su-
preme. Whenever a part of the Bible
conflicts with their fanatical notions,
they ruthlessly tear out the leaf and de-
clare that it is no part of Revelation.
Gerrit Smith, one of their champions,
boldly avowed this shocking doctrine,
in a speech few days ago, and most Of
the Radical leaders believe the same
doctrine, and carry it out, although
they may be too cowardly to avow it
openly. Of this sort are the. public
men who have been thrown to the sur
face by Radical triumphs at the polls
since 1856. They include among their
number the Free-thinkers, ScOfers, In
fdels, Atheists and every shade of
scepticism, from Atheism down to the
milder forms which assume the garb of
a Christian church, in order the more eff
fectually to disseminate their moral
poisons. Such are the men who now
assume to direct the destinies of the ma
tion-men with no guide, moral or po-
litical, except their boasted Reason and
"Higher Law" What could be eX-
pected of them except that which has
actually taken place. They perpetrate
the lesser villainies of political life, nat
urally and seemingly with infinite rel
ish. When urgent occasion seemed to
require, they have shown themselves
capable of doing things that blanch the
cheek and curdIe the blood in ones
veins.
1t is not, therefore, strange that the
advent of the Radical party to power
in this country, began an era Of legis-
lative corruption and infamy that has
perhaps never had a parallel in the his
tory of the world. That whole Legis-
latureS should be bribed, that individ-
ual members should be bought like
beef in the market, and that scoun-
drels of all grades should swarm like
maggots in aputrid carcass, wherever
Radicals are in power, is preciselywhat
should have been expected. All this
has come and it will continue until the
buzzards thatnOW fatten upon the body
polite are driven from their feast and
men are elected in their stead who will
bring to otheir work an honest heart and
a decent regard for the Bible and the
Constitution of their country.
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THE VETO MESSAGE.
The President has vetoed the Militia