Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-23
No Drunkard In Office.

For the past eight years there has been but one
political issue, and that involves the nations exist
enoe. To all human appearances, this is now set.
tied. Our nationality is preserved; treason must
yield her cause as irrecoyerably lost outrage must
soon cease in all the land, and peace, with eq;sl
rights and freedom of speech and of the press must
ere loLg universally prevail.
Pending the great issue heretofore at stake can.
didstes have been iRterrogated upon but one ooint
The rough, bold loyalty of even Andrew johnson
male US blind to his known wilfullness and besot-
tedness, and to our mutual disgrace he became our
chief magistrate. So it has been with others in
lower stations Another ers is upon us The re-
hgous men Of this nation cannot be held in party
bonds against the voice of public morality and per-
sonal conscience. Through all the desperate strug.
gle with rebellion, the Church and its ministry have
lent their mighty influence to the party that would
save the nations life heneeforth it will be lsEt with
much unanimity to the party that will act most
boldly and promptly in the interest of public virtue
and religion, be what party it may.
One OF the very first things that politicians must
learn is that our motto will be- No DRUNKARD IN
OFFICE AT some of the approaching legislative
sessions, United States Senators are 70 be chosen,
and some OF those who propose to offer themselves
TOR election are VIGOROUSLY vle If the Republican
party shall violate all our convictions of right as
to endow these with the high dignity of chief law
gIvers Of the nation, it will have occasion bitterly
to repent the STEP This party can only maintain
Its hold upon Christian by respecting at least
deceney in the elevation Of men to Office.
Every candidate may well be forewarned that
his vices, if he have them, will secure his defeat
even if bis party is in the ascendant Scratching
Is TO become the practice in every such case. If
man wants the suffrage Of Christians, be must keep
out Of the brothel, and be must not be drunkard
We must 60 further than prevention we want
publication. Some of the lecherous sots that have
for years past disgraced our Senate halls should be
daalf FuiFh tkos-I Tc .
Representatives shall appear in the Capitol, or the
streets IN state of intoxcation, let him, at the
first opportunity, be Rrragned at the bar of the
house OF which he is member, and be admonished;
and if he proves incorrigible let him be PEELED
Let no party lines be recognized. Begin with the
case that occurs be it Salisbury, McDOugal Chand-
Ter the amiabe and gifted Yates, or any one else
and let the nation be no longer disgraced.
We have some good hope that the administration
Of General Grant viii be signalized BY demand
for higher and purer qualifications for Office Let
as have some sort of "Civil Service Bil' adopted,
by which rigid examinations into the qualifications
OF all applicants for Office shall be required and let
these examinations extend to moral as well as other
qualities. The iniquty of Washington is crying
shame; the people have heard it, and the demand
viii be long and loud that it be purged away. All
the reasons that influence the president elect in
using at present to receive any applications for Of
fee cannot now be OWNED, but we may well hope
that he purposes noble things for his Gountrys
good His great power with the people make it
possible for him to do what none others might. a
glorious national future seems just before US. We
are az the opening of q new era with sublime pos
sibilities. We may come up reiuvenated people,
and it is first duty TO slough eff the accumulated
vices of the cOrrupting past.
Temperance men may not be q unit on the ques-
ton of distinct political organizations on this ssne
bat they will ere long be unit on the points we
have raised We duly serve notice then upon all
asprants for public favor that IL is the purpose of
msltitudes of Christian men to stand firmly and
withhold their suffrage from every incorporate man
for any Office Of honor, trust, or emolument within
their gift.-NOrthi0ester7s Christian Advocate