The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-03-15
Our Public Men.

emily before the Union League Ciup !;
" a ce1tain Mr.. Hopkin, makes Z
some suggestions as to the best mode t
If reforming the public service IN c
this respect. A great popular com |
motion always throws the worst ele-
ment upon the surface, and we could
hardly look to escape so general ana
natural a law after the experience
through which our country has pass
ed. Bad men, who have taken ad-
vantage of the vehement passion OF
the people, are consequence OF CIV
il feud; and it is doubtful whether
any system Of government Or any
hedges raised up around the selec-
ton of officials would protect us
against contingency that would
seem from all accounts, to be inevl-
table. All that we can do, at this
time, is to moderate public opinion
bv sober counsels. 1t is the spring
that is muddied, even at it's source,
and we cannot expect the stream TO
flow sweet and clear until the spring
is given time to settle itself.
But, behind all this, there are rea-
sons why the standard OF our Polltl-
cal managers is low one; and al
though nothing can correct tins
until the passions of the multitude
are cooled, it may be worth our
while to consider where the trouble
lies and how it may be treated, when
we come to treat it in practical
form.
Certain it is that, if suffrage is
, cheapened, official place is lowered IL
, proportion to the ratio of Ignorance
l and responsibility admitted to tn
i, ballot. Universal suffrage mus
t needs include great amount OF alb
! solue corruption. AS we have en-
i countered it, most ofits evils hav
d been aggravated. To reform 1t W
}, must abridge lit or instruct it, an
d here the question comes in can 1t b
il educated to any sufficient extent
s. New England has not been remarks
n BILE as producer of first class put
l. lie men for all her common school,
h and universal suffrage, whilst tn
j. South, under the old dispensatio'
Or with very limited suffrage, and L
oe common-school system worth nan
n ing, was conspicuous for her pollt
OF clans, who, as class, were exec
tionally upright and efficient.
H. There is reason for ererythin
~ Before the war the North sent h
lrt worst men to Congress. The Sou
on sent her best. And why ? The A
" swer is very simple. In the crow
de ed States of the sea-board capat
N. men made large incomes. Pub
bt life did not pay successful men
to abandon the practice of law and ph
pie sic or to quit lucrative commerce
ng pursuits. They could not afford t
ere scuffle with universal suffrage. VIII
Ell, they did they corrupted themselN
res and made up the deficit in their
be as ofice-holders at the expense
nat the country and their own hon
hat It used to be perfectly well und
nal stood at Washington that you COZ
The buy up Northern members OF G.
mi gress by the score, but that it wo7
the not be safe>to approach South'
the member with q bride. This d
the not prove that the North is wo
cal than the South or that the Soutf
better than the North. Human
the ture is the same the world over.
lch- simply goes to show that the trou
and lay with universal suffrage and
can sufficient salaries. The Sou
ical was sparsely populated. Large
;eed comes, except on slave property, "
Q of known. The pay Of Congressr
hen was as much as the best professie
ow. men could make at home, and
sion Congress was an honor, the best
hite fessional men sought it There
,oks no motive to corruption because
ors, successful candidate found hin
,ous receiving as much as he had bee
des- the habit of getting, and, OF cor
ton in the case of the rich planter t
| of could be no temptation, for he
this already made his fortune or ha
mot made for him. So the South
each the North all the time in the pol
who, of the country because the South
r the forward frst-rate men and the N
cost met them with second-rate men.
liars this time the South is not repre'
oney ed at all. She has no choice
aadi- her and therefore the figure CT
In = III ,,