The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-25
rhe Aaa Of Corruption.

History records an age oil iron, en- age OF
brass au age Of gold, and tWouid seem tha'
America in the present day Is otaiiutd "
complete tho catalope and crown II WIN ~
fanny by adding an Age OF Corruption ms
most careless observer Of men ana
things in this country cannot iau TO discern
very decided change for the worse "iIAih
20 shor. d. period as the last ten yeaTs. Ee
fore that time We had earned the TILE u ? !
money LOVING, money getung people ""1
IrvinJ's phrase, the aIunRntV, A9"'''
wa. supposed to convey cIe~' anu colnp'e'
hons;va iaaa of the dIyinhg selected Tor our
worsnip. But however eager we theh were
Il 10 nur.pit of wealth, our aagerness was
.a,o mod with at least an ordinary measure
or radon and couscientlousneSs. We dd
90, deen it necessary to sacrifice the greater
IN order to obtain the less; we did not dare
to tramps under foot all the claims OF non.
or: manhood and seltrespect in our struggles
after riches; we loved lucre much, but there
were other and uobler objects which we
loved more. Now in these latter days, the
alri sdcrd flames has taken full possession
of us. and the mad torrent OF this unhoIy
passion threatens to sweep away every bar.
rier and utterly destroy the best instincts,
| the pnrest traits of our national character
| lagos advice to Roderigo is the motto IN
scrbed upon the popular banner, ami to
"get money! no matter how, where or wien,
| ia the dominant thought, the orthodox creed
| which few have moral courage enough to
question or dispute. Thus it comes TO pass,
az natural aud legitimate consequence,
| that the public service throughout, trou
|
shaped by n corruption 80 open and shameless
that the great master Of bribery SrHobeFt
i Wapole, would blush to own 1t The LOBBY
at Washington is more powerful than Sena.
tors vpd Representatives com blned, because
through that channel there flows subtle
current which transmutes the basest metal
into precious gold. Every bill which IN
vows a financial feature has its ring OF 40
yocates outside. whose business tits to grease
the wheels of legislation, remove all oosta
cles soothe ell preiudices and secure the
faal passage Of the measure by whatever
means may be requisite to accomplish the
end. Once passed, aud the successful mann
pulatora ecsrcely take the trouble TO hide
the machinery which has performed tbs
work, and with the game ~ .n "," ~,
, ~, a.. ..rluse VINO were too clumsy or to'
= .crnpuIoua TO give the cards the decisive
+ shuttle. What is done at the capital on
}. grand scale il done elsewhere on smaller
one. Each State hos its legislative set o
wire pulers held together by that pecuuaF
po!itiro.socia principle known a. the cohe-
sive power of public plumber The steady
and systematic depletion Of the public purse
is the broad platform upon which all NEE
and labor, and to maintain which factions
the most antagouslic Join hard IN offensive
and defensive alliance. Men calling Them
selves. and perhaps called by their friends
honest and honorable, enter unhe@nAEgt
upon swiud.Ing Jobs aud carry them lhrougt
TO q triumphant conclusion with Il reckless
defiance Of criticism which a little while aT'
} would have astouuded the community ant
consigned the perpetrators to social ont
lawry. Now and then L steni unusually
large and impudent creatures BRET excite
ment which lasts possibly week or month
ard then passes away. The parties engag
ed, having an accurate knowledge and
correct estimate Of the situation, are seldom
frightened BY these demonstrations OF Dis
approga, and never voluntarily relax ihei
! grasp upon the fruit, Of their rsscnIitY. III.
) storm speedily Subsidies, ard these men,wlH
the stains Of fraud clinRing to their gar
ments, walk abroad Stunned perhaps hy
few but envied by the many.-1 Lot
RcpuJlican.