North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-04-07
Tn. po,,,ic.l Confess,on.l.

A very dismal and dsheartening pic
ture of the general decentralization, in this
country, was presented by Sen. Spraguc,
the other day, in his speech upon the Ten
ure-of-o Office law. His bitter illusions, also,
to the hypocrisy, selfishness and rank cor
ruption Of Congress, considering his own
position as radical, as a millionaire, and
rs an ex>state governor, are very startling,
very striking, and very painfully sugges.
tive. There was q vein Of extraordinary
rcmorse running all through his caustic
address, as if his conscience were reproach-
ing him solely for his share in the past
york Of congressional recklessness. In
sober truth, few out-and-out "copper>
heads" few of the so>callcd "disloyal'
men of the north, have yet ventured to say
# Congress, and of radical government,
he frightful things uttered by this distin-
,uished radical; and what is more, he
expresses deep distrust of General Grants
ability to carry out any substantial re-
forms amid such surroundings.
When Senator Sprague tells us that the
late war had "no virtuous principle at
the bottom of it;'' that it was fought "for
the liberties of no class of people = that
it was a simple contention for power and
place, commencing in the United States
Senate and thence permeating throughout
the country )" he only states what thou
sands Of silent observers always believed.
But who ever expected to see leading
radical Senator rise and avow such con-
viction in the federal Capitol? Surely
those citizens who, for declaring such SEN
timents, have been so often denounced as
traitors as conspirators against the
Union," as everything to be abhorrei and
detested by patriotic citizens-surely they
must view with genuine satisfaction this
deliberate endorsement Of their bOldest ut
terauces. And how must they feel who,
like Senator Sprague himself before his
conscience so troubled him, eagerly assist
ed in those denunci: tons?
It is insinuated that Senator SpYasue is
but the mouth-picce Of his father-in-law,
ChiefJustice Chase, in thus bctrayihg his
late radical friends, and accusing them of
duplicity, hypocrisy, fraud, and all kinds
of political dishonesty. 1t is conjectured
that his object is to divide the radical par
ty, with view to the nomination of Chase
for the next presidency. This looks to us
like far-fetched solution Of the mystery
for it Is q mystery of the most serious
AiHO VuCA ouCu u Auhu
tiers the political confessional avows
that he has sinned against his coun-
try's best interests, impeaches the integrity
Of his political companions, acknowledges
that the accusations of the copperheads''
were founded on truth, and asks in peni-
tent spirit for absclution!
But what does this elfconfessed culprit
propose to do in the premises If he
conscientiously asserts the truth, it is his
duty not only to expose his late fellow
conspirators, but to arraign them at the
bar Of public opinion, place them on trial
before the people, and press for their con-
viction in yindication of himself and the
righteousness Of his position. Should he
rest contented with what he has done, the
public mind will have just reason to doubt
his sincerity, and reserve judgment upon
the accused. We await his decision on
this subject with much impatience, and SC
must every citizen.-N. T. Sunday Times