davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
Political DegeneraeY.

1t certainly does not augur well for
our political institutions that there is a
large degeneracy in the character of
those who represent them. A few years
ago Daniel Webster and Rufus Choate
were Senators from Massachusetts.
Their successors are now Sumner and
Wilson. From New Hampshire, we
used to have Woodbury. and Pierce.
We now have nobody of any promi-
nence. From New York we had Silas
Wright and N. P. Talmadge. We now
have C0nkling a1d Fenton. Cameron
in Pennsylvania takes the place of
James Buchanan, John Scott of George
NJ. Dallas, and John Sherman of Thos.
Ewing in Ohio. Carl Schurz occupies
the place of Thomas H Benton in Mis-
souri,, and Dick Yates takes the seat of
Stephen A. Douglass. In Tennessee
the black guard editor, Brownlow,
usurps the position of Hugh L. White
and Felix Grundy. The South, now
represented by unknown carpet haggers
from the North, had then such men in
Congress as John G. Calhoun, Robert Y.
Hayne, George McDuffie, John NJ. Ber-
rien, Geo. G. Badger, w. G. Preston,
Geo. r. Poindexter, VIM r. King. w q.
c.. Rives, Governor Tazewell and Gen.
Sam. Houston.
The most unmistakeable evidence Of
the reigning imbecility in the Radical
party is the lack of men who are com
petent to represent what at least ought
to be the dignity of the United States,
at the Court of any first class power, as
illustrated by the difficulty Gen. Grant
has had in obtaining a suitable Minister
to send to the Court of Great Britain.
At one time in the history of the Re.
publican pa rty it had men of calibre
and capacity. Then Salmon P. Chase,
w. M. Evarts, James r. Doolittle, Ed
gar Cowan and scores of other states
men acted with the party, either Of
and add lustre to its craftsmanship
But the race of learned, accomplished
and fearless men has died out of the
Radical party, and their places are fill-
ed with upstarts and snobs, booted and
spurred, ready to ride the country and
all its past glory to the devil.
The course of politics seems to have
been from the highest realm of intelli
gence down to the lowest pools of igno
rance and corruption,-E Observer.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
THE COLUMBIAN AND DEMOCRAT, BLooMsBURG COLUMBIA G
The Law of Libel,

The editor of the Mauch Chunk Times
has been prosecuted for libel by THoM.
AS FOSTER, for asserting or inslnuating
that he had altered certain election re-
turns, and denounces that individual
for seeking "refuge behind the libel
law of an obsolete age-a law which
assumes that "the greater the truth the
greater the libel" and forbids the facts
to be given in evidence"
We do do not agree in this denuncia
ton of the old law by our friend. The
old mexim quoted is only true when
applied to affairs in which the pubic
have no concern, and in that connection
is palpably just. In the case in ques
ton, the matter (if true) was proper
for public information, and the truth
of the allegation may therefore be pro
ven upon trial, and if established will
work acquttal. The Constitution OF
Pennsylvania expressly declares that
"where the matter published is proper
for public information, the truth there
of may be given in evidence" and no
law of the Legislature or dictum of q
Court can set aside or weaken this plain
and wholesome provision. If Col. Flu
REY has stated facts that he can prove
he is safe--if he has been misinformed
it is equally plain that it his duty tc
say so. We know his manly instincts
will lead him to vindicate the right.
We may be obtuse-but whether ol
not, we never could see the justice o.
the denunciation of the good old law
1t is about the only barrier, in addition
to good breeding and public sentiment
that restrains blackguards from outra
ging private persons and public decen'
cy, and plunging whole communitie:
into libel ard war. 1t in no wise re
strains editors from publishing any
truthful matter that is proper for public
information, and this is all that ough
ever be published. No one will sub
scribe to this more heartily than th'
able editor of the Mauch Chunk Times
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
A Picture of the Grabbers.

The Chicago Times thus describes the
selfish men who make rings, which
make members of Congress, who make
the laws:
"If man owns a distillery, he con-
meets himself with the whiskey ring.
If he has an interest in cotton or woolen
mills, he joins the manufacturers lob
by. He does the same thing if he has
capital invested in iron mills. If he is
so fortunate as to live near Onondago
Lake, the chances are ten to one that
he has money in the salt ring. In Kan.
sas, he dabbles in Indian treaties and
railroad stocks. In Michigan, he wants
contract to furnish timber to build 8
harbor where there is not water enough
to float yawl. On the shores of Lake
Superior, he wants to he protected in
getting out copper, and, should his lo
be cast within fifty miles of pine woods
he wants to be protected against Canad
ian lumbermen.
II is these selfish rings which defraut
legislation, wrong the people, and ere
ate public and social discord. The writ
er names six or eight interests, bu
there are hundreds like them, only dif
fering in their magnitude. These inter
ests make Congress, and the lobb!
| make the laws.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
Pointed and True .

The New Castle Gazette and Demo-
crdt, in commenting upon the PROPOSE.
tion to call Convention to amend the
State Constitution, uses the following
pointed and truthful language, which
disposes of nearly the whole of the OBJ
jecsiOns to it, viz:
The truth is that corrupt professional
politicians have become the bane of
this country, and are the perpetual dis
turbers of its peace. The perpetual hui
mutations, gross wrongs and constant
degredationS to which the countryrss
called upon to submit have become 50
great an evil, that the people are every
where calling for reform in the sys-
tenn. This is the motive of the strong
impetus that has been given all over
the State to the movement in favor of "a
revision of the Constitution of the
State, and the universally expressed
wish that no faint of partisan politics
should enter into the composition OF
that Convention, but that the best, the
ablest and the purest men in the Com
mouWealth he e'erted, in the hope that
soIne effective clts cks uInv h. devised
to destroy the widespread corruption
and decentralization thai now perv ,de-
almost All the avenues Oh puOIIc lie.
There are good uen pf aii parties :
men who can rise above the party preju
diceS and sm II ,nbiti ,ns If IN + "
partisan success, Ali Wnp VIII ,.no
faithfully to promote ne beot iuter..-l-
of the State, and rurity her halis oi
legislation. These are the men Wtu
should he selected AZ auI.nd and mUdl
fy the tundt p~utai law "a great com.
monweaIth like re 'nsy ivania. I'm
pro rofessional politicians who have M
visible means OF support, but who have
become rich on the spoiS of Office and
official plunder, should he notified to
stand aside, for their services are not in
10 righteous a work.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

A BAD PRACTICE.-The Buffalo EG-
press rightly says: Keeping children
after school is, in every respect, bad
practice. 1t annoys both teacher and
pupil, and is an evil which perpetuates
itself. Pupils who are kept after school
usually go home out of humor with
teacher and school generally. 1t should
be constant aim to arrange things in
such way that every pupil may go
home feeling happy. The result aimed
at by this practice may, in most cases,
be reached in other ways. The natural
consequence of poor lessons would seem
to be falling in rank. In graded schools
pupils who miss their lessons may be
placed in lower classes, even in lower
department.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
Tricks of Treasury Suckers.

For years passed, in this State, COM
bination consisting of corrupt elements
in both parties, has not only existed for
the purpose but has actually successful
ly controlled the elections for State
Treasurer. In nine cases out of ten
they manage to nominate the candid
ates of both parties, and thus keep the
contest circulating amongst themselves!
Let which party may triumph, the
rascals win-gain the Treasury-and
divide the heavy spoil. We see the
element again at work, and with the
usual prospect of success. A Radical
CORFU ptionist is to be nominated by the
Radical caucus-parties in the ring will
endeavOr to control the Democratic
nomination, and if successful will nomi-
nate one of themselves or toOl-and
an outside radical rogue will be presen-
ted as a boiling candidate. The Demo
cratic members will, therefore, as things
have been managed in times past, be
compelled to choose between these
grand There's No difference which is
elected, the result is the same and the
taxpayers are the sufferers.
Now, under these circumstances, it is
plain duty of the representatives OF
the Democracy in the Legislature to
vindicate their party, to keep il cleal
from aspersion or suspicion, and to SCI
that its candidates are men of the high
est character for in.egrity-dRd hare nc
personal combinations or connections iDiM
Simon CdmerOn. This latter point i:
highly essential, for that adroit mana
ger has agents within the lines oi
the Democratic party as well as out
of ii, and he manages soft headed
Democrats about AS readily as he does
his own party. Some of these are al.
ready seeking the Democratic uomina,
tion, aud may have majority of the
members committed before they arrive
at Harrisburg TO consult with each 9th
er. We hope our friends will have the
good sense and high respect for them
serves and their party, TO throw over
u,ayd every meddling aspirant, and 10
... al late one who is too noble minded
20 ask or beg AN honor as he would
aims.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
"Land for the Landless."

That was one of the promises of the
Radical party when it first got control
of Congress in 1860. To certain ex-
tent it has made good that promise. 1t
has given "land to the landless, ,"but not
the "landless'' it pretended to favor
the honest, toiling, poor men of the
country. The "landless" it provided
with lands was the thieving contractors
of "New England"-the carpet-bag
scalawags of the South and the Radical
rascals who loaf round the lobbies of
Congress, getting up railroad eompa
nies, and asking the government to
build the roads, and allow them to have
the profits.
Here is the amount of land they have
given to these "landless" corporations
the number of broad acres they have
taken from the people-the working,
tax cursed masses-and given TO cor
rupt corporations. To railroad compa-
| uies il has given as follows:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
Supporting Boilers.

The newspapers are still discussing
| the propriety of the Democratic MEM
b rs of the Legislature supporting a
bOiting Republican for State Treasurer
| To US IL seems perfectly clear that the
duty Of the minority in the case is not
| to support candidate merely because
| he is a bolter from his party-for these
are usually, if not invariably, the worst
and meanest amongst all the candidates
but II one Republican candidate hap.
en- to be an honest and competent man,
and the other not, then who will ques.
tion that the first ought to be supported
and the other opposed? We do not ex-
pect to see the Democratic members so
happily situated as to have such choice
to make, but we do insist that they can
not bejustified in supporting a Repub-
lican rogue or incompetent under any
rcumstances-they have no right to
compromise their party in that way.
The fact that a candidate is bolter
from his party can only recommend
him in case he bolts upon principle
and the opposite party may only prop
erly support him in the case that they
sympathize with or approve that prin.
ciple. That the worst element of the
Republican party is represented by
Senator CAMERON, and that it should
be defeated wherever possible, and by
anybody, is doubtless true, if it can be
done without too deeply soiling clear
consciences. But to put The proposition
in other words-to elect rascal by
Democratic votes in order to defeat an
equally delectable rascal who is the Re-
publican nominee-is a position that
can not be honorably assumed and for
which there is no manly justification.
1t is childs play, thing to amuse sim
pletons, and renders the party respon-
sible for the acts of the candidate they
elect.
1t is not good party tactics. This fact
was sufficiently illustrated by the old
Whig party. 1t invariably supported
Democratic boilers and constantly thus
elevated Democratic vagabond, to high
official position. The Democracy were
| dbupytu W ~ buL NEVER ScTlOuSly III
ju,ed. But mark the result to the
| Whigs Their organization was so
thoroughly demoralized, their MEM
bers became SO accustomed to support
ing any and every body and every thing
that was opposed by the Democracy,
without regard to principle, that their
whole party was quickly swallowed up,
and forever destroyed, by the first mush
room orga nization that seized upon its
selfish leaders and consorts and prom
ised triumph over the Democracy. II
was natural and just result. Are we
now to follow The example and reap the
same reward? We say emphatically
No! Already candidates who are no
Denocrats are proposed 10 us and We
hrmant'y advocated from Presiden
; down, aud II supporting such by oul
organization is continued, in a very
brief period there will he no real diff
ference between parties, and both will
become mere gamblers for spoils, tn,
most thorough triaksters winning! lie
every man ponder the question wheth
er it is not more important to sustain
honest action than to win temporar,
and illusory triumph.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
Official Returns of the New York
Election.

The official canvass ul the vote at the
recent election in New York has been
completed at last. For Governor 1t
stood:
joan I. HOFFMAN, Democrat, $780,
272; STEWART l., WoODFURD, Repub-
lican, 365,407 Democratic majority
33,272. Democratic majority, May, 1870,
81, 7,SO7; Democratic majority, Novem-
ber, 1869, 20,24l; Democratic majority
for President, November 1867, 10000.
The majority of the Democratic candi-
date for Lieutenant Governor was 30,-
845, and for Controller, 81 ,l0l.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

RODE.ICK RANDOM BUTLER, goes
back 10 Congress from Tennessee, with
III his crimes upon his head. That he
was guilty of selling his cadetship no
one pretends 10 doubt, and the United
States District Attorney is waiting his
arrival in Washington to serve him
with warrant of arrest for pension
frauds. From Louisiana comes one Sy-
pher who was implicated in an attempt
ed sale of cadetship. There are Others
of similar disreputable character from
the South. If these carpet baggers and
scallawags, and the negroes who have
been elected, were out of the way there
would be no Republican majority in the
next Congress. .-,Sunbury Democrat.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
LIST Senatorial District.

The special election in the 1st Senator
ial district will occur on the Goth inst.
The Democrats have nominated Rob
ERT p. DECHERT, ESD. an able lawyer,
brave soldier, ,and a gentleman of high
personal character. The city papers of
all parties speak of him in the highest
terms. The Press declares emphati-
cally that "against Mr.. DECHERT we
the Republicans dare not run any
common hack" and that the Radical
convention "must nominate good can
didate or the field is lost ia advance"
AS the result in this district Will deter
mine the y piitietl majority of the Sen
ate, fierce canvass IS anticipated. Al
the late election the district gave RddI
cal majority of over 700, ou tie Dtn1c
racy are cudtid nv If Ihelr abuItY Iu
carry ii If no fraud, are prrpet,atcd As
the Navy Yard Is il the ilstr'ct, Il Idi
cal votes by huudrri- WIu nn iOu" De
imported INTO II, yri me Vigilance II
energy of our frends may carry ~.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

CONGRESS re-assembled on Monday
last. One of the first acts in the House
was to consider bill to grant one mill
ion of acres of land to the st. Croix and
Bayfield, Railroad. During the discus
sion Mr.. WOOD said that this Congress
had already given total of 2S,OOO, 600
acres to railroad companies, besid es AZ
100000 to the Pacific Railroad, making
a total of 70, 10000 of acres Final ac-
tion was not taken on the bill, but il
will no doubt pass. VIII the people
ever awaken to the squandering propen-
stiles Of the RadicalsS
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
THr mass meeting Of the cathollcs Of

THE mass meeting of the catholics OF
the diocese Of Philadelphia, "to protest
against the unlawful invasion and oc'
cupation OF the states of the church,
at the cathedral yesterday, was, per-
haps, the most powerful demonstration
ever witnessed in this city in time ol
peace. Fully 25,0OO people assembled
In and around lbe cathedral 1t is 10
the credit Of this vast assemblage, and
In striking testimony to the earnestness
Of the protest against what catholics re
gard rs robbery and sacrilege, that the
meeting Was dislit gulshed by good
order aud d.coIum throughout-Phka-
deii1hia Day oh inst.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

THE New York Evening Post, Rad
ical organ in good standing, edited by
the veteran WIN. CULLEN BRYANT,
says: "The people are disgusted with
General GRANTS subserviency to motor
ious hack politicians, monopolists and
political traders of all kinds they see
with jealousy his open interference
with elections at the dictation of these
persons, and with disgust his support
of men notorlouSly unfit for public
trust etc.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
European News.

Several severe and bloody battles
have been fought between the French
and Prussian forces at Paris and near
Orleans. Upon the whole the French
have at least gained nothing at Paris
and have lost Orleans. The losses in
killed and wounded have been very
large on both sides, the French suffer.
Ing most and losing many prisoners.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

THE Radical Governor and Treasurer
Of Alabama persist in holding on to
the Offices, Notwithstanding their de-
feat and the election Of Democrats in
their stead. The matter has been re-
ferred to the courts. A meeting at
Montgomery made up almost entirely
Of Republicans, denounced the course
OF the Governor and Treasurer, and pro-
nounced the election fair one.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

REVENUE reformers claim that in
looking over their numbers, they find
themselves so strong, that, with the aid
of the Democrats, they think they can
elect the House Speaker, and SO control
the Craftsmanship of theimportant Com
mittee of Ways and Means in the Forty
second Congress. If such union be
effected, it will leave General GRANT
powerless In the lower House.-Age.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

The CO operative principle is about
being introduced into the coal region OF
this State. The Aathracae MOaitOr,
which represents the operatives, is in
avor Of "A co-partner,hip syst III oe-
TWEEN work men and emUioyrrs, aud
arDiIrnu u.,. Tnere Is NO iuduS rial in
terest Ia The county, to VIII h the
above reforms can be so easily applied,
oI with such -alutary results, as To that
o. i -. With II sys~m ui 60,
o, =" biirntion, such as has
a,..a a "iajority of the miu'
iu4 a.u n4eLuiac,uring regions of Eng
ard, The pr0tracled and disastrous
stuhes, which have been so frequent in
Pennsy ylvanit, could not occur,-Age.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
The Radical Party.

What has The radical party done to com
mend Hseif TO the continued support OF
the american Peoptes
1t established negro suffrage!
II dsfrauchised thousan Is of white
citiz =!
1t invadpd he Federal Consti ution !
1t u.urped the sovereignty of the
'iatpS!
n ihii,iei ten States!
IL uurp 'hN CIurts uf Justice!
; n"us,rd 4. VI law IL certain parts
rs. lJ til
a. ., 4lii,ary d'par, ments out
of States!
1t created military commissions to
try civil cases!
1t SUSPENDED the hnbeuS corpus in
time of profound peace
1t denied to the white citizen the
trial by jury, five years after the last
war ended!
1t endorsed the outrages of Holden,
Kirk, et at!
1t encouraged the negroes, in idle
ness
1t gave about two hundred millions
of acres of the'public domain within the
last two years, to corporations of rich
capitalists!
1t disregarded solemn obligations
1t broke every pledge it ever made to
the people!
1t unseated Democratic Congressman
who were duly elected
1t squandered the public treasury
1t refused to prosecute the THIEVES
of public moneys
1t favored the prosecution of manu-
facturers for trifling Irregularities
1t attempted to corrupt the ballot
box!
1t taxed every species of property OF
the poor man
1t exempted the rich mans bonds
from all taxation
1t paid the rich man in GOLD!
1t paid the soldier, his widow and Or
phans, in GREENBACKs
1t appointed spies in every communi-
ty!
This is an epitome of the acts Of the
Radical party during the last five years
of its existence. We are told that by
the fruit we are to judge the tree. l.
the fruit of this radical tree SO pleasing
to the sight, to the touch, and especially
to the TASTE of the masses of white
freemen, as to recommend it for future
use? We submit to the candor of all
THINKING men, whether it would not
be better to try the fruit of different
quality of tree-the tree of Democracy
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09
NOTICE.

~ ESTATE Or JOHN zIGLER DECD.
letters testamentary on the estate OF John
Zigler late of Franklin township, Columbia
county, deceased, have been granted by the Reg
istcr OF said county to ii. j, Reeder OF Cata-
wissa township, Columbia county. All persons
present them 90 The Executor in Catawissa, Pa.
Those indebted to the estate either on note Judg-
meut, mortgage or hook account Will make pay
ment to the Executor without delay.
IL. j. REEDER,
tecg'7O-6w Executor.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

AND lnN comes Senator SUMNER,
VINO, Ia ploic lecture At Chicago, dlS
lovaliy says Thar president GRANT
Il az .a"w everything, and unfor
ga iHl'i know that he don't
81 "a" "a Charla-." as he is
"a "a 'np also suggests that
~ a u ittoi seems 10 go
!ou -l. JVrspual Preferences" "
which is drawing il very mild, but
which shows that the Massachusetts,
Sc ator Is enj wing a lucid interval.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

1T is now alleged that General GRANT
has PAID over one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars to BAEZ, ON account
OF the annexation treaty jcb, and that
the former will be compelled to push
the work through the Senate, or meet
an exposure.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

THE Radical majority in the 4Oth
Congress was l23 in the 4lst Congress
II was ! 04 in the AID it will be about
20. At the same ratio Of decrease what
will il be In the 43d Congress? Come,
gentlemen, don't all answer at once.