Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-08-17


s--------.s.-sss..--s.--
IT would be blessed thing if Office.
scckcrs could learn from experience
and observation, that the pursuit is
nothing but political gambling in
which the blanks are az numerous as
in any other lottery and the prizes
worthless, in comparison with the cost
OF obtaining them. The same vexa
ton, time, labor and outlay devoted
to some useful calling would secure
more honor and profit and carry in
their train q larger amount Of individ-
ual and public good without cntailing
upon society the baleful effects of low
intrigue, maliciousslander and individ-
uil feuds. Success il poor compen-
sation for the costs of the office, whilst
defeat engenders and keeps alive evil
passions which rarely attend the phr-
suit of those useful callings which
give to society peace, plenty and hap
piness. L. there no remcdy-no pre-
ycntiye against the" periodical recur-
renee Of the demoralizing excitement
cngendercd by Office seeking? Doubt
less there is remedy; but as its APP
plication is optional with the people,
we have little hope that it will be
insdc. In the absence of patriotic
and firm resolve to correct the evils
that atilct the social and body polite
without an intelligent appreciation
of the causes and extent of those evils,
it il idle to hope for their eradication,
because without united action, there
can be no successful effort, in this
direction, and because there can be
no concerted movement until the ma
iority, at least, is impelled by "A com
mon impulse-sincere and patriotic
to elevate the standard Of public
morals.
The first step towards this end, is to
practice the truism, that intelligence
and integrity are the cornerstones Of
all well-ordered society and that in
dustry and economy are the sources of
its prosperity. Whatever iniuriously
affects these, tends to unsettle, if not
cndanger, the whole fabric. We as
sort, without fear of successful con-
tradiction, that the system of cleo
pioneering for Office, now practiced
has damaging effect upon all these
fundamental conditions Orwell ordered
society 1t diminishes intelligence by
substituting therefor, false ideas and
inischicyou1 errors; it impairs integ
rity by iostcringc evil passions aud pref
udices and weakening the love Of truth
and fair dealing; it discouragcs indus
try and economy, by encouraging a
fondntSs for excitement, gambling for
Office, neglect of domestic interests
and habits OF idleness and dissipation.
Nothing dcmoralizcs labor, more thor
oughly, than frequent prctexts for at
tending public gatherings and meet
ing' in secret caucus to scheme for the
election Of this, or that candidate, in
consideration of promises never 10 be
fulfilled, or in the hope OF pccuniary
reward, And when il IL remembered
that farmers aud mechanics are tn,
greatest loosers by the disorder thu,
cnccndcrcl, it il surprising that the,
not only tolerate, but become activ,
participants in the work Of demorali
zttion and sclt.indictcd losses.
There is no capital except the say
inc4 OF labor, and those who produc,
nothing are droncs in the great hu
man hive, that live upon the labor o
others, II an estimate of the loss o
capital consequent upon cycryclcrtion
could bc laid before the farmers an,
mechanics "A detailed statement O
the hours, days and weeks spent il
iLlcuess and dissipation, by thci
, laborcrs, the aggregate would startl
thcm into jus, appreciation Of thei
folly in lending their aid aud cncour
agcment to a system that yields moth
ing good aud much that is evil Then
perhaps, il from no higher motiv,
they would seek 4 remedy for the cyi
by forcing the office 10 seek the man
10y indicating the candidate in som
fair and unmistakablo manner, an
, thea, in honor aud good faith, stand
ing by him TO the close Of the polls.-
In this way only can the unity of tn
Conservative psrty be secured in thi
county, and the Radicals taught tb
futliiiy Of any attempt to get tut
power by using some of our part
asain.; ". yss diEe!encc ir d
vs.ies s.r.agth of he two PARTIES,