Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-21
WEAK MEN IN THE STATE LEGIsLA-
TTuE


The faci that e mans sympathiei
are often changed by elevation to Of
fee has been detected by the dGllesi
observer. When seeking popular
support, popular habits Of thought
aud action r induced, studied, cul-
tivated. When success crowns aspi-
rents to public honOrs, even that Su0-
otter ia mode, which distinguished the
candidate, is no longer d~iscOverable
ia the conduct Of the omce-holder.
IN the polluted atmosphere Of Wash
iagt0n morals Congressman Of medi-
oere abilities not only finds his proper
level Of intellectual in~signihcance, but
his very Httleness induces reckless
ness OF conduct. He finds the acqui-
sition OF fame impossible, and, re-
gardless Of duties to constituents, he
Is cajoled by the cunning, or bought
by the corrupt. Rings send weak
men TO Washington, either that they
may v q supple tool, or, that the
puppets insignihcsnce may not
interfere with the execution Of
the designs Of those who would
designate the successor. The
same facts are pertinent to the
weaker class Of men who sometimes
secure seats in State legislatures. At
home these good fellows constitute an
inseparable part Of the masses. With
these they sre identified in interest,
passion and preIudices. At Nashville
they enter smother atmosphere Of
thought. Their habits OF life and
modes Of thinking undergo a sudden
revulsion. No longer Of the people,
they find themselves masters Of the
people. They make and Unmake
msgnates Of the land. The prOudest
intellects Of Tennessee, that would
add spleDdOr to the annals Of Ameri-
can craftsmanship and shine ilustri-
Gus IN senatorial debate, bend in rev.
erence before the once humble county
representative. The embryo law
giver recognizes his own growing ms
jesty and lifts himself above the sphere
in which he recently moved. All Of.
Us have encountered not q few Of this
description Of empty-pated represent
atjves Of the people at Nashville.
And these are they vino become
the supple tools Of the infat-
ed, strutting, grsndiloquent, bond
holding, taxlevying G~rissOcraey Of
Nashville and Of the cas-. We
shall never forget the assumption Of
awful dignity that crowned the beet
ing brow Of a brawuy Vulcan Of the
House, in an adjacent State, who had
been suddenly lifted by an unthink-
ing mob nom ObsCurity snd set astride
the Pegasus Of legislation. He was
only eloquent when the ayes and
noes were called The impersonatiOn
Of Jove-like dignity, he could only
smile and nod when wealth and social
position bowed in his msjestic pres
ence. He continued to expand
through two Successive sessions Of the
Assembly, and at the close of his term
Of service, 50 progressive was his ex-
FEASIBILITY, that there was hardly
space between the marble pillars Of
the temple Of s~tatecraft, deemed all
his own, for the passage Of his ever
swelling proportions. Not only the
integrity, but the practical common
sense OF a commonplace citizen Is
subjected to Crucial tests in legislative
halls even in Nashville. The very
splendOrs OF the capitol mike weak
men chant uncOnsciously,
6rezms that I dwell in marble halls"
when their birthplace was 8 pioneers
and their homes and manners
only admirable for rustic simplicity.
These reflections are suggested
by the fact that the next Gen
eral Assembly viii be subject
ed to trials such as were never
encountered by a body of law
In Tennessee. Wall street and
mighty railroad ring will have, in
excellent citizens, lawyers and place
holders, g lobby such as never before
wheedled, and csjoIed, and bribed,
representatives Of this people. Enter
tainments viii be given, paid for by
those who would levy ~exactions upon
the merchants and farmers Of Tennes-
see. The little empty heads Of the
Legislature viii be turned by the Ca
resses and batteries Of fair women paid
or tasks they execute. The private .
necessities Of individual members of
ne Assembly viii be inquired into
md relieved by a process Of legerde-
main which opens the vaults Of banks !
md bids defiance 70 notarie5 public. :
When a majority is bought or ccncii- I
ted, then comes, at the close Of the
essiCD, the decisive moment. When ,
he Revenue Bill is on its passage, re-
from it IS devised by the 20
ent ring, the weak dUpes OF hst5ered ,
sd the very few Of the baser =
OFT thai have transferred allegiance :
their constituents to the money :
over, viii grow pale, and in trem- -,
ling accents pronounce the doom Of :
be tOiling people. Wall street wiz
e in e~cstscies; its organs will laud ;,
he wisdom Of the lswgivers of Ten :
essee, and We must remain hewers J,
f wood and drawers Of water for :
nose who robbed US without giving :
presentation, stole State bonds when :
e were DISTINGUISHED, and now riot ,
/ wealth based upon our misfortunes. .
ORR eoIore6 fplIow-cifizsns ara mt II