Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-09-01
HOWARD N. JENKINS, J EprroRs & paorniEroas
WILMER ATKINSON, !
WILMINGTON, DEL,
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER |, 1870.
THE CODE OF pRAco, AND THE SALISBURY
COnE

The Delawmedn, (organ Of the Salisbury
Family mildly objects to our statement that
=. for years that family have ruled the state, ana
s.ruled it with code as severe as the famous
,ssystem Of Draco." The answer the organ
makes is that (" the code of Draco commenced
ION man at the cradle and followed him to the
.sgrave, prescribing what he should cat, drink
q. and wear and how he should conduct himself
sand punished even the slightest misdemeanor
''with DEATH"
Let MS see il our statement is not accurate.
We did not say the Salisbury rule in Delaware
was identical with that of the Athenian archon,
but that it was as severe. Mark the evidence. |
1t commenced on man at his cradle, says the |
Organ. When then, does the tyranny of the |
Dover Family first reach the citizenof Delaware9
Verify, we say the first cry Of the newborn babe
is under the laws which this Ring have had
enacted, in the interest OF themselves. Not
from the cradle, but from its mothers arms is it
under the code which the Family have dictated
IL il be born to Democracy it is even more born
into bondage for it comes into the ranks OF those
who are swayed and used at will by the same
despotism.
There are no figures Of speech, no flights of
at the control which these gentlemen of the Ring
lave exercised, for the last ten years. Mr.
salisbury has been twice chosen Senator, the
second choice being in the face of all propriety,
and in absolute defiance of the public opinion of
The Nation. He has earned for himself a sad
n Observation-Disclosures, which we do not here
need to describe, but that character was
thoroughly his own when, for the second time,
he was elected to represent Delaware IN the
United States Senate. Why need this have been
done had he not been one Of the Family, one of
tile sRing: z" For twelve years he has been
United States Senator, as no such man. in any
state unruled by system like Draco's, could
have been.
For some six years, DIR. Cove salisbury has
been Governor and for four years more it is
hoped to make the brothcr-in-law Of Willard, his
SUCCESSOR Beyond that Mr.. Dewley,of Smyrna
another intimate of these leaders, is indicated
as their man for the place. Under Governor
salisbury what has been the situation. Has the
state prospered: Let her empty treasury
though sweel by extraordinary and unprece
dented taxes, answer. Let her shattered am
depressed credit answer. Let her Deprecated
bonds answer. Let her faith, violated by the mis-
appropriation of revenues soemnly set apart t
her creditors, answer. Have the people pros
pered Let the groans OF the depressed agiicu
turists answer Let the Sheriffs and Constable
Of Kent and Sussex show the piles of writ
a yainst the impoverished people. Let lis hea
whether under the laws of Delaware, passed
the Salisbury dctation, under the Saulsbui
grasp the citizens have prospered and grow
"A Ar. pai
Let the ruined school system answer. Let Il
children of the people, unschooled by any pub
system, answer. Let the fog Of ignorance whi
lovers above the State, invoked by the ring
their cruel and contemptous indifference to eve
appeal for an amended educational system, a
swer. Let the State school funds. shom of tn
proportions and depleted by gross mismanag
ment, answer.
The code OF Draco might have shed me
blood, but it could have scarcely more depress
:he energy, and stifled the public spirit Of pr
pie. 1t could not have bound in chains rnt
calling the just ambitions OF intelligent M
Where are the rivals Of the 'ianlsburys W
sought prominence in the Democratic part
FROM Judge Wootten, and Dr. liidgey, do
and up in the ranks of that organization, VIII
10 antagonize the Triumyirs of Dover; VIII
are the local politicians who sought 10 be jGsti
Of the peace, officers of the county records, 4
&c, but who yentured to show their opposit
to the Saulsburyss These men, great or SIN
influential or insignificant, have been swept
equal obscurity by this code, not less severe
aepressye than that of Draco.
Had the despotism of the Saulsbuiys been
'ablisled on broad basis; had it been use'
The advantage and good name of the State
the people prospered; had intelligence adyan
had justice attained new strength how we mi
iave regarded its claims upon the people
Delaware, we shall not say. But, under all
weight of its severity, to perceive that it
been selfish, greedy, GINNING, and narrower
I'D is to condemn it, totally. Dracos system
have had merits this has none.