The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-03-20
srxare. scuusx,s SPEECH.

0e8oeooe3 VI tue bpooCu HOAA Vie <Ss
= Tribune:
That fact il il useless to dirguise, and We hat
9 better underlined and appreciate 1t. Th'
confidence of the people in the integrity o
their public men is leariully shaken. What
ever YOU may think oftbe causes which hav,
brought forth this result, the fact itself is Z
pubIic calamity. For, ~ has been Otter
said in these days, what will become of the
respect of the people for the laws when they
lose their confidence in the law-makcrs? ]
say this not to cast slur upon any one, but
to admorish the Senate not TO weaken that
confidence which it siiIl msy enjoy. But q
weak detection Of duty in case like this and
the Senate will weaken that confidence II,
With ruch evidence before its eyes, it refuses
to employ the power it Yields for the pro.
lection OF its integrity; for the people will be
justified in thinking that If We with our eyes
full open permit the seats OF the law makers
to be bought, We shall not be able. il We
we're willing, 10 prevent legislation from
being sold. l wonld lisiei: to the clamor Of
The mob A. little ss the Senator from Wis
consin Neither would /, in order TO gain
the confidence Of the multitude, descend
! 10 an act not in accordance with nv true
convictions of right and duty. would face
them without fincbfng to prevent wrong,
but would not treat with contempt but re-
spect the voice Of the people, when it calls
upon me To do what, according To my bert
convictions, conceive to be my duly.
MORE THAN TIE FATE OF ONE MAN At
STAKE.
am very far from asking anybody, who,
upon a conscientious examination of the ie.-
tin,ony, has arrived n . conclusion A. 70 In.
facts different frosa mine, to vote n l shsil
vote; bui TO those'whO have formed the same
conclusion, let me lsssy that here something
more is at stake than the fate Of one man, in
determining which We might be moved by
personal ~ mpathy and compassion. Some
thing more, also, than the danger which
might spring .sfrom the possibility Of the
abuse OF that power, TO be exercised by the
Senate in protecting itself against the inlru-
sion Of a corrupt and corrupting element,
and that something IL the purity, nay, the
very ex istence, !Oi the representative character
Of our institutions. You speak Of partisan
reckles.ness which might unscrupulously
employ this power to accomplish its ends. 1
know that danger, and surely do not un-
derestiaHte it, but entreat you to consider
that by assuring immunity and secure en-
ylnent OF the fruits Of their iniquiiy to
,hose who acquire seats upon this floor BY
purchase instead of honest election, you will
encourage the propagation Of these scsnda-
lous practices; you will invite to the Senate
an element which, in most cases in its very
mature corrupt, will be the most willing
and dangerous tool in the hands of reck
l.ss partisznehip. Fer you must know
that those who feel themselves most vul-
Derable, an have to shun the searching
light OF inquiry, will never have the cour-
age of that de,encence which defies attack,
but will always be the first TO earn by affect
service refuge and security under the wing Of
protecting majorities. Secure the exclusion
from our Legislative bodies Of that class Of
men who, after use Of ignoble means
must serve sordid ends, and you will have se-
cured better safeguard against the abuse Of
power than by ci:cumscrIbing the authority
of the Senate IN limits narrower than the
Constitution has designed them. 1t is time
We should face the dangers whit h threaten
this Republic. Ii has no monarchical ira
dition-, no pre,enders of historic right to
disturb its repose and to plot its Overthrow.
Ii is not likely TO succumb to the shock OF
force But there have been republics whose
original constitution Was a. healthy as ours,
but which died alter all OF the slower disease
of corruption and decentralization, and that
decay ~ constitutional life and ANARCHY OF
mower aIw,y, 90 hand in hand with them.
II is time for Us to keep in mind that it re-
quires more to make and preserve q Repub-
I,c than thu mere absence of q King. and that
while ia outward form NAV still he lasting.
| hone and trust that We are still far from
that point. but no candid observer will deny
that there are symptoms of a movement ia
that direction. But there are symptoms
,Iso vhicb inspires the hone that the down
ward movement NAV soon be checked,
and that perhaps the checking has already
What il our Office under cir
cumstances like these? This is the Senate
of the United States. When the American
people struggle AGAINST the mower of corrup-
ton. their Senate should march in the front
rank To Lead the advancing column. Their
Senate should at least hold high it's standing
of puritv and honor. which is to restore the
waning confidence Of the citizens in the in
teoritv of the l.w.makers. Whatever per-
sonal disbursements. whatever ouarrels OF
marty NAV divide us. this is higher than yer
sonsi confederation and higher than party.
and in this at least the Senators of the United
States sbould he unanimous.
REASONS foh hAfaLLlN' Mh oA,n T IL
=, l shail vo'e ,or inc resoi .., " uecl:
t = eito,lon VI , Hi Su us.:.aI I anu sa.,
snaii 10 ~, c'sAy Sons lnoeu :. -. " liz:
the careful Ieaolns ol ,ne 'e1'imoIy ~ u.'
case .hat Mr. Naio"eh eie'o"
ieoeu ~ t1e co,!uP use VI uoIsy snan
90 90, nrmiy oeheving 'ha' 'ne Se"A'e' unue'
the CONSTITUTION, docs possess tne power 10