The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-03-29
ssuRcgs 81 POEgrICaL C0HsUrTIo.N,

The scene which transpired in the
Assembly Chamber, at Albany, on Fri
day, suggests food for serious refec-
ton The charges made by Mr Thorn
as c. Field Of this City, against Mr.
Ainsworth, Of Saratoga, following close.
" after the revelations Of Congression-
al corruption in connection with the
bestowal Of West Point eadetships,
constitute a sorry commentary upon
the practical working Of our political
system, and justify grave apprehen-
sions and solicitude concerning the fu-
ture. Tie feeling is intensified almost
10 the extent Of despair by the knowl-
edge that tho revelations which are
youchsafed TO the public are but isolat-
ed instances OF the Generalization
which exists, and that the people have
reason TO know that for every case
which comes to their knowledge, hun
dreds escape detection.
The experience Of years justtes the
believe had almost said the positive
knowledge--that the evil o. legislative
corruption is not confined TO any one
locality Albany and Washington con
tain no iouler political atmosphere than
other centres Of legislation. The gov
ernments Of all the great cities, and the
legislatures Of all the States are sini-
larly afieetd with the prevailing demon
vlization, The only distinction among
them is in degree, and, not in fact. 1t
seems as il the very sources Of repub-
lican government We're poisoned and
that the experiment Of soli-goyernment
was lamentable failure, We do not
Of course. subscribe 10 SO cynical
a judgment but we regard the political
stuasion Of The country as full Of dan
ger, and believe that unless some eiTcc-
tive remedy Is speedily applied the
evil viii become chronic, and finally
sill require That heroic treatment
which involves force and bloodshed
The possibility 81 So grave crisis
renders important aud legitimate the
inquiry whether the evil is an ineyita-
lie one, aud how i can be remedied.
We maintain that il has arisen from
the miserably defective system Of prim.
AIRY political management which has
been adopted, and from the fact that
the most reliable class of our citizens
deliberately and persistently shirk
their duties by sustaining from polti-
cal action They are repealed by the
unc'eAn and disgusting associations
which an active and conscientious dis
charge II their duties a. American cit
izens involves aud the consequence is
that seIfsh and corrupt dcmagogues
are enshled 70 control, and that UNI
worthy ambitions are grahhcd 1t the
expense 81 the general welfare, and IN
disregard Of the general wall We find
corrupt ward and town polite ans At
tie head 81 bodies 81 equally uuscrup.
ulous followers. controlling the minor
nominations, and acting ID obedience
to tho yonal behests 81 county organic.
aiions, which il turn render similar
active allegiance TO State 70 janlas
The esil las is inception with b
people themselves and with them lea
The remedy The class most deeply
interested Ia the honest administration
81 Affairs i really responsible ioy tie
great esll q which they complain. We
are firm believers ii tie people, and il
the doctrine that ,hey are The only sale
repositories q political power, bat our
conviction presupposes 90 active par
ueipAiion u 81 il tie business q gov
eminent, and constant check and
control q the eorrupi by the good s.
long as Tie intelligent. the honest and
the tAx.paying classes ehAll continue
through Encouragement or indlaer-