The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-21
DOES. 1T PAY TO BE A TRAITOR?

From the N. Y. I,ldepenaenL
The transactions at Albany last Saturday
are sufficiently startling, one would think. to
awaken the indignation of the whole country.
Is it not about time for us to ask ourselves
whether it is safe and profitable in this coun-
try for man TO turn traitor? Instances of
treachery are multiplying, and the fact argues
that the public virtue is deteriorating. Il
shows that offenders of this sort are able to
calculate upon some degree of impunity in
the commission of such otfenses. It proves
that there is less vigilance to detect and less
determination to punish such outrages than
formerly. The unblushing sale and purchase
of member of our State Legislature, under
circumstances so notorious and aggravated,
ought to arouse the public mind to due con-
sideration of the perils that threaten us.
1t is fact too well known that the Demo-
cratic party in our Legislature, having q
majority of one, which it had gained by
ejecting from his seat man lawfully elected,
had put upon their passage variety of bills
of the most outrageous character. The city
tax levy showed purpose to out-plunder all
the plunderers of former years. the new
Registration bill was intended for the en-
couregement of fraudulent voting; and the
bill regulating places of amusement was
designed for the promotion of vica. We say
these things deliberately. There is no doubt
whatever of the purpose aud intent of
the gang of thieves who rule this city
and who direct the legislation at Albany
Their interest lies in debauching the public
virtue and in destroying the safeguards
of pure government, and they stick atnothing
that will promote their interests. These
schemes of theirs were in fair way of succeed
ing, when, unluckily, one of the ruffians be-
longing to their party in the Legislature COM
mitted breach of privilege in assaulting a
brother Democrat, and the rural Democracy
joined with the Republicans in demanding
his expulsion. The Democratic majority of
one thus disappearing, legislation suddenly
came to halt The Republican members of
the Legislature met in caucus, and pledged
themselves in writing not to vote for the
infamous measures thrust upon them by
the party lateIy in the ajority. But tho
chief of the bandits of our City Hall snapped
b is fingers and laughed in derision at this
virtuous resolve, openly boasting that he
would buy Republican. 1t was no vain
bsasting. After standing together for week
in firm resistance to the villainies of their
opponents, the Republicans were suddenly
surprised last Saturday morning by the cool
announcement of one of their number that
he considered this action of theirs an tout
rage" and that he proposed thenceforth to
vote with the Democrats on every party ques-
tion!
Now, what is to become of this man
Doubtless he has secured by this treachery an
independent fortune; but what is his position
in society to be henceforth? What kind of
reception is he to have from his neighbors
when he returns to his home? We give wide
berth to horse thieves and pickpockets should
offenders of this trade have any more respect
or recognition in society? Benedict Arnold
lived and died under the burden of ma
tion's curse. The treachery of this man is
more deliberate, more cowardly, far less
excusable than that of Arnold. The enc
mics to whom Arnold sold himself were
open and honest enemies, who were doing fair
battle against his country with steel and gun
powder. The enemies to whom this man has
sold himself are men who with the poisoned
shafts of political corruption and the deadly
weapons of bribery and debauchery are over
turning our liberties. If Arnold deserved to
feel the heat of peoples anger and to taste
the bitterness of peoples scorn, this man
deserves il more. If Arnold was driven from
his native land to seek Intellectual shelter
among the foes of his country, who had used
him and despised him, this man should be
made to feel that there is no harbor for him
in this land, nor in any land where honor is
not by-word. Let him take the price of his
manhood and be gone with it