The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-27
THE APPROACHING ELECTION.

which we have repeatedly given to th,
Democracy of this city, in relation to th'
; election of city officers, and especially sh'
Council, is attracting the attention which
it so we'll deserves. We are glad to know
that our opponents are in fact needing it,
and we hope that they will not be almost
but altogether persuaded to become Chris
tians, for it is the ambition Of this journal
not to be partisan but patriotic. We de-
sire not so much to overcome as to convert
our enemies; and it is, therefore, with sim
cere pleasure that we notice the unmistak-
able signs of reformation on the part OF
one of our morning contemporaries. We
are glad to hear the Enquirer say: "We
insist that the candidates selected for the
suffrages of the people shall be suitable
men they should be men of intelligence,
experience and character"
In other words, they are heart-sick of the
disgrace inflicted on the city by the present
Council, the majority of that body not
|
experience, aud character. Intelligent men,
agreeing with the Enquirer, have discov-
cred long ago, that the temporary success
achieved by the election of such men, 'be-
comes after the election source of weak
ness to the party responsible in the prem
ises and may entail defeat in future con-
tests" But you must have care, gentle
men, that your reformation is something
more than skin deep, for the repentance
which is resorted 10 only as make-shft,
a paltry expedient for escaping merited
punishment, is as fruitless as it is unphi-
losophical more, i. is snare and fraud
upon yourselves as we'll as upon the peo-
pie. If you undertake simply to shield
yourselves from your past misconduct, or to
save from future defeats by turning upon
and assaulting the tools who worked out
and executed the bad policies and the
wicked intent which your vice heretofore
conceived, yon will neither accomplish
"godly reformation" nor escape the pun
ishment awaiting your bad actions.
When the popular will was defeated by
The hired assassins, who made deadly as
sault upon the elective franchise and mur-
dered public liberty by destroying the
ballot-box, and substitutinga body of city
officers not elected for those who were le-
gally chosen, a great outrage was commit
ted, which, unfortunately, like other
wrongs, had the power of repro
ducing itself. When the authors of |
that outrage escaped, other men, melted by |
thier success, were ready to destroy other |
ballot-boxes, or by any other more or less
Infamous means, to defeat the pop ular
will. 1t was the success of these bad en-
inaugurated, executed, and the |
fruits of which are now enjoyed by men in
this city otherwise respectable, which en-
boldened our wretched Common Council to
the commission of the crowning outrage of
their disgraceful political lives--the carv-
ing up of the city like piece of butchers
meat, in total disregard of law, propriety
and decency, with sole reference to the
success of a deliberately planned project of
defeating the right of the people to choose
their own officers.
Sagacious men suspected the real object
when they saw the Democratic majority in
the Legislature, without any apparent ne
cessity, suspending the rules of that body,
and passing, by a solid party vote, bill
authorizing the creation of new wards for
this city. The true motive was to put as
near as it was possible all of the Republic
can voters into one ward, giving them but
one-sixth of the representation, when they
were in fact entitled to more than one-
half. The scheme was concocted by party
passed by partisan Legisla-
ture, executed by disgraced and demor-
alized Council for partisan and mercenary
purposes, and now these newly-reformed
gentlemen seek to obtain absolution from
their sins by kicking and cutting the venial
instruments of their vllainy. Pardon,
remission, can never be secured, while you
hold on to the price of your sin.
Jackson Ward, like hideous serpent,
coils in and around, through and over the
other Wards of this city, still, and 80 long
as it continues to do SO, it will proclaim the
vice aud infamy which conceived and exc
cuted that vile purpose and wretched pros
titution by which the Democracy hopes
and expects to control the affairs of this
city. 1t will not do simply to cry out
against the Council or invite your nomina-
ling caucuses to select for the future,
men of intelligence, experience and char
scter, but you must undo the wrong al
ready done, blot out the disgrace already
inflicted, repent Of the sins already COM
nitted, at the same time doing works meet
for repentance.
We have little confidence in the thief
who promises to steal no more while he
holds on to and profits by the booty OBJ
sained from his last depreciation. We need