Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-08-14
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CAM
PAIGN.

DUIlnR the last TWO weeks we nave Deen
constantly in the receipt of letters from sub
scribers of all shades of politics, asking US
our real opinion as to the Presidential con-
test between Grant and Seymour, and some
times requesting to know the theory upon
which we base the opinion we have already
printed on that subject. To the first Of
these two classes of questioners we answer,
that we never print anythiog We do not
mean; and to the second, who have com
plimented US with belief in our sincerity,
we will cheerfully give all the reasons in our
power.
In the first place, let us say, that we give
our opinions and explain the reasons for
them, not as party newspaper (which The
Spiylt is not, and never will bel, but simply
as shrewd, observing journal of the time,
which takes note Of all the great events that
are transpiring around it, and which would
be ashamed to be without an opinion upon
that paramount event which is absorbing
the attention ofthe nation beyond all others;
and still more ashamed to have an opinion
without the courage to express it. The
man who INDUCES in opposite views to ours,
and who desires to limit this liberty in us,
is one with whom we do not desire even the
most casual relations. Such man is not
entitled to the valuable knowledge which is
always to be gained from an intelligent and
honorable adversary.
Immediately upon the nomination of
General Grant by the Chicago Convention,
upon the Goth May, we expressed the opin-
ion that he would be elected President Of
the United States, whatever candidate
might be opposed to him. When Seymour
was nominated by the July Convention as
his rival, we reiterated that opinion; and
now, that the issue has been joined for full
three weeks, and the contest has, on one
side at least, risen almost to the height of
fury, we desire to repeat that opinion, and
to add to it our further firm belief, that the
victory of Grant viii be so signal that it may
be likened to a march rather than a contest,
and will hardly wear the look of an election
at all We also believe that Grant viii
carry the State of New York, and that ohm
A. Griswold, who is now nominated on the
Grant ticket for its Governor, will defeat any
candidate who may be set up against him;
aud for these reasons:
The inquirer viii, at the outset, note the
fact that politics is no longer a Sentiment
but an industry; no longer a doctrine but an
occupation. Politics is in fact Just as much
a business industry as the spinning of cotton
the making of shoes, or the raising of wheat
and corn. And it is governed by the natural
instincts Of all industries, TO wit employ
ment and profit, Now, the revelations of
the impeachment trial demonstrated the fact
that there are more than forty-one thousand
Ofice-holders under the national admins
tration. There are undoubtedly five times
that number organized under the sub
machinery of the States; and for each man in
Office there are always two or three whohave
been put out, and two or three fresh as
pirants who are desirous to get in. Here are
fully amillion Of men whose attention Is with
drawn from the wholesome industries of the
land to be devoted to the unprincipled in
dustry of politics, and whose personal in
terests extend, In one way or another, to
several millions more. This baleful, blight
ing, withering industry has been fostered
into existence by that unhappy defect in our
Constitution which permits the President to
intrigue for reelection, and which, under
the maxim that ito the victors belong the
spoils, y has created a system of dependence
and corruption unparalleled in any govern
ment in the world In fact, no other
government can become so bad, except
where, under a reflective system, the Chief
Magistrate fndsit to his interest to encourage
and patronize all the worst men in the land,
in order that he may be reelected In no
other country, therefore, except one that
has reflective Presidential system. can
such demoralizing pursuits Of politics grow
up as we behold around us here; and which.
in place of the handful of parasites who hang
upon the European courts, presents the
disgraceful picture of million of courtiers
| (for that is the true name for party
politicians bending their heads for the dirty
bread Of public patronage in Republican
America
But without pursuing this feature Of our
theme, let US come back to the fact which
bears directly upon the opinion we have
raised, to wit the fact that politics in
America has, under these devilish infu-
ences, become an established business pur-
suit, based upon the sub-industries of lying
and stealing, and is actuated, of course, like
all pursuits Of business, by the instincts of
employment and profit Taking the prob
lem at this point, we find the public almost
universally believing that General Grant
will be elected over Seymour; and though
the politicians Of the Seymour ring will
| protest, till they are black in the face, that
they entertain a contrary opinion, they viii
accept no bets against Grant, even at the
rate of two to one. This may be said to be
no argument; nevertheless, it is a very sig
ni6cant sign in party which is very fond
Of bettingi and it warrants US in the expee-
tation, that when the progress of the can
vass confirms this want of confidence in the
prospects of the conservative candidates,
the mercenary army which is now swarming
under the shadow of their banners in the
hunt for spoil, viii abandon the copper
camps and turn their faces to the rising sun.
Governed by no principle, sustained BY
no sentiment, and aotuated simply by
thirst for gain, these men viii not be willing
to be put beyond reach of the snug little
hooks in the Custom House and Post Office
for four long years, but will join the con
quering army under Grant. Other and
better influences will, of course, animate
other and better men to swell the ranks Of
the only man who can give the country