The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-08-17


enemies, for we have the ability to
do it, if we will.
The Democratic Party, the Same '.yes.
terday, to-day, and forever"
During month or more past, the
New York Times, and other leading
New York dailies, have been unearth-
ing the enormous rascalities and steal
ings of the Tammany clique, which
is headed by such men as A. Oakley
Hall, mayor, and VIM. M. Tweed,
Sweeney and other Sachems who
compose the Tammany Ring. The
exposures made are astounding, and
the stealings madc by this clique are
so vast that it seems almost incom-
prehensible, in this enlightened age.
This band of cormorants have gotten
entire political control of the city
and it's finances.
Ii Is appropriate here to enquire
how, and why..it is, that such a state
of things is possible? 1t can be &C.
counted for in ne other way than
that New York city is the entrepot
of all the worst portion Of the pop
ulation OF the old world, and imme
diately upon landing on our shores
this class are pampered and petted
by these leaders Of the Democracy
until they naturally fall into its ranks
just as naturally as water is. incli-
ned to seek it's level.
!. So completely has this class como
under the control of Tweed and his
conductors that TO man, be he ever
so much a patriot, or ever SO honest,
can be elevated to any position un-
less he will bow the knee to Tweed,
Sweeney & Co. So entirely have
these men control, and such is their
unlimited power, that pick-pockets,
prize fighters and riff-raff of all kinds
have preferment in Office, over the
good, the wise and the just. Az
a most signal instance, in proof Of
this assertion, take the election to
Congress of the Honorable (a) John
Morrissey, gambler, prize-6ghter, &C.,
and a most appropriate representa-.
tive of the vice and ignorance that
prevails in the purIieus Of Five Points
and other slums of the commercial
metropolis of this Union.
This state Of things is becoming
unbearable, and the business men
and respectable citizens OF all parties
are beginning to cry out for reform.
Even the callous conscience of Brick
Pomeroy is awakened by these enor-
nous outrages, aud he is crying out
against the crimes perpetrated IN the
once potent name of Democracy
Quite recently a largo meeting was
held and an explanation demanded of
Hall, Tweed & Co., and in default
thereof that Mayor Hall and his gov
ernment shall resign, and permit
men having some semblance of hon.
esty to administer the affairs of the
city.
But the exertions of the Tammany
ring to control the city is not alone
the cause Of all these outrages COM
mitted in the name of Democracy
Good and honest citizens, too, have
contributed to bring about this state
OF affairs by absenting themselves
from the polls, from primary and
ward elections, and thus permitting
corruption to got such q hold upon
the affairs of the city that it seems
almost past redemption and now at
the eleventh hour, when nearly all is
lost, they awaken to a sense Of the
calamities that are Detailing them.-
1t is dangerous sign when people
neglect to take an active part in the
politics Of the city or country, and
when this apathy has become wide
spread, then all our liberties are in
danger.
Every American citizen must feel
u vital interest in the question, shall
the liberties we now enjoy be perpet-
uated to our children ? and it is
criminal in him, however much he
may detest politics, not to do his
part in banding down the legacy
which he has received, unimpaired,
to future generations.
And while we are on this subject.
would it not be we'll for us to enquire
which is the party of progress and
freedom, and which is the party that
mas attempted to destroy this union
and to make us nation of slave.
nwners and slave.drivers every whore.
history answers the question and
nnerringly points to the Democratic
party, and no thin DISCUSSES will
convince tho people OF this country
that it is not the same party that il
was in 81, '62, '63 and 81, when it
in full council Of it's ablest men de.
clared tho war for the union "a FAIL
uRE." Ii is the same party which in
North and South, in Now York or
New Orleans =, is noted as the advo. |
Gates and abettors OF mob law and |
violence of every character. L. is the
same party which, in 1868. attempt
ID TO tire tho southern heart" by
nobins Orphan Asylums, and hang
ny in offensive negro men, women
nd children in New York. and COM