The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-12-23

Some of our wisest and most re-
liable political thinkers and observ.
crs, have expressed the conviction,
that the many evils which lave
cnvironed the practical workings of
our political system, are not SO
much attributable to the faults of
tho system, or the ignorance Of the
great majority of the voters, as to a
feeling of repugnance entertained
in the minds of a large fraction of
the more refined and religious por-
ton of society towards entering
into the active duties of politics,
lest by the performance of such
duties, their skirts might become
contaminated. This feeling, it may
ic called discomfort, las fostered
a spirit Of Indifference and absolute
neglect in this class, and eEco,rag-
cd the evils in politics of Which
they are always ready to COM
plain. If we read the history
Of American politics understand
ingiy, the best talent, refinement and
virtue ofthe early fathers, did not
esteem it repugnant to their sense
Of propriety or decency to enter
actively and earnestly into every
proposed measure, bearing upon the
political welfare and happiness of
the country, and of society. Wis
dom and virtue were the qualities
sought i'll candidae for political
],oaors, and individuals were
Brought .fornard who We're sup
posed to possess these attributes in
the highest degree. They did not
announce themselves. 1t was con-
sidered disreputable for a man to
bring himself out, much less to go
about the country trying to per-
suade men to vote for him. He
was honorcd by being selected by
his fellow citizens III the first
instance, and then the canyassing
was done by them, and not by him.
A man who would except, or
offer . bribe, was henceforward
looked upon as belonging to the
lowest type Of degraded humanity'
and his political doom was sealed.
In those days, politics was allowed
to have . moral character; and the
reason why it was SO, was because
intelligent, refined and religious
men, took an active, leading part in
politics. A mans political princi-
piles were based on his moral faith;
or, in other words, his moral faith
gave coloring to his political prin-
ciples and immortality, and corrup-
ton, and crime committed in poll
tics, were just rs bad as if they
were committed in religion. An
idea has become prevalent i'll poll
tics, nowadays, that a man may
entertain views and do things in
politics without blame, which would
cover him with Disgrace in religion.
For example: In religion, decep-
ton is hypocracy; in politics, it is
shrewdness. In religion, lying is a sin;
in politics, professional accomplish
ancnt. In religion, fraud and theft
are crimes; in politics, the party
that commits them endeavors to
shield the active criminals, while
the opposition, in many cases, re-
sorts to lying to make the crimes
appear worse than they really are.
They seem to forget that a crime
is a crime wherever it is committed,
or by whom, and should be SO re-
garded and punished. Our modern
politics is dirty mess and no mis-
take; but it has in q large measure
become SO by the persistent neglect
of q large fraction ofthc refined and
moral element of society. The
remedy is for them to take hold as
they did in New York and Chica-
go, and purify the political pool.
If they do not, they should cease
complaining of political corruption,
as to their neglect it is largely at
tributable.
The Prince of Wales was slowly