The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-05-12
IFor the Spirit.


ia man walk across pasture field,
one of these warm, moist evenings, he
will hear such din and clamor as will
stun his ears. On looking around for a
cause he will at once see herds Of great
fat cattle, and might naturally attribute
tho uproar to them; but a more careful
investigation will show that tie whole of
tits caused by a few Insignificant frogs
under dock leaf, and that the cattle are
quietly attending to their grazing.
The clamor for impeachment is Of the
same character. One who listens to it
but carelessly might suppose that the
whole population is shouting for convic-
ton; but little examination will satisfy
him that the great tumuit is all produced
by wretched gang Of hungry Office
hunters; and that honest and respectable
people are quietly minding their own bu-
siness. % ~
Itwould avail nothing for honest men
to to Washington and squabble with
these hungry hacks for the attention and
influence of Senator'S. A eve might be
successful in venturing to VOLTS den to
plead for her lamb. A decent white man
might be desperate enough to ask Of
Southern Negroes right to vote. But.
Ter might be prevailed on to forego the
conGscation Of a stray spoon: But an
honest mans chance against a professional
Office hunter is utterly hopeless.
These buzzards have besieged the Cap
itol from the frst anticipatory smell Of
President johnson 'searcass. The Wash
ington hotels are lousy with them. They
swarm in the galleries, and get up the
tremendous applause" for the impeach-
ers. They crowd the lobbies, guard the
doors, buttonholing every Senator who
comes in reach Of their itching palms.
They beg and bully, wheedle and threat
en-, blackmail and bribe, and aatter and
blackguard.
But their Indirect appliances are not
less potent or less active than their direct
opportunities.
Gay girls in gorgeous garments smile
bswitchingly, and plead angelically with
susceptible Senators.
Large and enthusiastic meetings Of a
Senator'S constituents demand impera-
lively tha. the great criminal be convict
ed--which said large and enthusiastic
meeting consisted in fact Of three or four
Office beggars in seven by nine room at
a Washington boarding house.
Three or four other lean leeches con-
cert an announcement in as many news
papers that in case Of the accession Of
Mr.. Wade, Senator Blank is certain of an
appointment in his Cabinet. These an.
nouncements are all, one after the other,
thrust under the nose Of Senator Blank.
Another desperate starveling sends an
anonymous letter to doubtful Senator,
pledging his own undying friendship, but
assuring him that if he should vote for
acquittal he will be assassinated by an ex-
asperated people the first momenth clo-
ses his eyes in his native town: and fur
ther informing him that it was with great
difficulty said Senator's house was pre-
vented from destruction by q mob, on o
mere rumor that said Senator was doubt
ful.
Still another writes "Washington
correspondence" to Senator AS home or.
gan, stating that Senator A. has deter
mined to vote for acquittal. Whereupon
he pours gall and wormwood and billings
gate and filth generally upon Senator A.
through two or three reeking columns
Next day he writes over another sigma
ture, another letter, in which he says SEN
ator A. is sure for conviction; and then
proceeds to beslobber Senator A. with
lofty panegyric and fulsome adulation,
until that Senator thinks himself the
greatest living American statesman.- -
These articles are meant to give the SEN
ator foretaste of what he may expect in
return for bis vote.
Another writes to Senator B. inform
ing him, under strict injunctions of Sc
cresy, that caucus Of the Radical Leg
islature of his State have privately deter
mined that in case he votes for acquittal
they will boldly and authoritatiVely de-
mand his resignation on the spot; and
that Mr.. c., his inveterate enemy, has al
ready been talked Of as his successor.
Embezzlement Forney scribbles away
like an irate fend in his 'stwo papers,
both daily" which he offered to sell to
President johnson for an Office. He
slings mud with frantic fury at every one
who hints at an acquittal: Cause-his
Chronicle is starving to death for want Of
executive patronage.
It in behalf of these sordid wretches
that President johnson is impeached sin
the name of all the people of the United
States" If these are not the whole i'm.
peachment party they are at least the ac-
tive IooJars onJ mouars of II. thou aro