The New York herald., 1873-09-01

snd I would most seriously punish the crime
Si iass voting and the procuring Of false voting to
ooRxUPrIoN or THE FRANCHISE
Ii the highest crime that can be committed In q
republic 1t is precisely laccorainR to the theory
OF our g0vernment what regicide II In q mon
archy Tor Is the assassination OF the sovereignty
only because am opposed to the death penalty,
but would make 1t the greatest felony, inside OF
murder known to the law.
THE DANGER IMMINENT.
HERALD REPREsKNTATIvE-YOur views agree,
then, with he HERALD upon C9sarisms
HERALD has not uttered its warning single day
too soon. Already has the administration opened
its campaign for 1876, in the nomination or General
Butler; and the approaching iall campaign Will be
used to reinforce the Credit Mobilier najOrties In
both the Senate and the House, This application
OF the Executive patronage Ii In logical accord
with
THE PRESIDENTS REELECTION OF HIMSELF.
1t Is calculated to provide him with tried and
permanent Parliament and 1t Is my nrm belief that
the present republican majority oil both houses OF
Congress no more intend to leave office, than Grant
himself intends to leave, and that II the third
term plan, succeeds they Will sail in as perma-
nent part Of the new monarchlcal machinery.
THE POLITICIANS OF A PAST AGE.
HERALD REPRESENTATION may have OBJ
served since your return that such veteran poll
ticans as Francis p. Blair, Reverdy Johnson and
Alexander Il. Stephens, III their interviews with
correspondents OF the HERALD, have expressed
their confidence that the patriotism OF the people
OF the United States Will ultimately defeat this
Mr.. WILKEsmI have great respect for the sa-
gacity Oh Mr.. Blair but these old gentlemen are
very apt to reason from too early period OF
perience. For their ideal OF the people, they dream
back, as 1t were, to the American people OF nlty
years ago. before the demoraizing maxms OF
"all's fair in politics." and Ito the victors belong
the spOils" had corrupted the popular imagina-
ton and converted politics into "pubIc indus
try
THE GREAT PROFESSION OF POLITICS
HERALD REPRksENTATIvE-A public industry
Mr. WILKEs-Yes, an organized public industry,
fbn tsV rnt In ar nN
OF manufacture or OF trade Il is alarming wnen
we look at the number OF persons who can be con-
troed by the 81 the anc
holders under the national government. 1t may
be safely said that there are five active expectants
Tor each OF these offices, and certainly five persons
who depend upon each of the incumbents IN the
way OF family or followers Here are 650, 900 per-
sons dependent upon the favor OF the national ad-
ministratOn alone, and moving IN politics respOn-
sve to Its Will. For this 900 there may surely
be said to be three for each one following the lead
States making altogether an army OF over
TWO MILLIONS AND A HALF OF coURrKRs.
who deal In nothing and depend upon nothing but
politics Tor living Surely this Is vast regular
industry and the melancholy feature OF 1t IL that
1t is an industry founded in great part on the sub
industries OF lying and stealing This industry
has created special allegiance to party, which is
superior in ties to love OF country. 1t was pre-
dicted by monarchists at the beginning OF the
American experiment OF Tree government that re.
publican institutions could not Withstand the
strain Of party spirit.
THE PUBIIlC SPIRIT OF THE NORTH
succeeded in pulling through against this prophecy
during the conflict OF the war, but do not know
that can give better Illustration OF how near
the monarchical prophets were being justified in
their predictions than by the conduct Of the
democrats at the outset OF the war. Losing
sSa in Of ns the face the Of trailing nf eSon Of Sai
common nag through the mud of Southern streets,
their first exclamation was, at the opening OF our
black republican administration Is firing upon the
democratic partyp' And upon this cue, the bulk Of
the democratic party sympathized with the rebel
lion throughout the war as natural act OF policy
against the republican party.
THE PEOPLE WILL BE POwERLES5
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-I perceive, Mr..
Wilkes, that you have not much reliance upon the
Intelligence OF the people.
Mr.. WILKEs-On the contrary, have the highest
opinion oil the Intelligence or the American people;
II they were only as generally worthy as they are
nteiilgent there would need be no iears OF the
can people are too smart; and the ne Xt that they
have been corrupted by too sudden prosperity. 1t
Is moral impcssibility that virtuous and worthy
people could De INDIFFERENT to such rascalties as
are perpetrated every day upon the pubic prop
erty and contentedly retain IN public place the
people, through
THEIR UNwoNrED PROSPERITY,
are arc very much in , the posi- position OF the success,
nearly all the money OF the dealers and
OF the players, was informed by some en-
lolnlng his gains from under his arm, and VINO, on
receiving the information, carelessy replied
well, III uOn'L make any OlUereHCe; can Win
them laster than he can steal tnemr Sucn take
to be the moral condition OF American public
honesty, under the demoralizing influence OF
"Credit Mobilier" and ''Tammany' corluptions. l
feel at liberty TO say this as an American to Amerl
cans, and because | think there has been
TOO MUCH HuMBUG
repea ted about the virtue and patriot
lsm oi tue American people. !, Tor one, feel at
liberty to say 1t, because l do not want anything
from the American people, and am all the more
free to say 1t, because l nave never had anything
from the American people. 1t Is about time that
the truth is. and our great danger ia. that
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE THEMSELVES TO BLAME.
In other countries, where the people have not been
intoxicated by an undue prosperity, and where
they are consequently comparatively honest, they
rise every now and then against great expressions
and clear the political atmosphere by revolutions.
new dynasty comes in which Tor while Is Just,
but which IN turn becomes corrupt, and In turn Is
blown away. Here Is safety valve IN the honest
name Is TO be the ultimate destiny OF the country,
the people OF which is in large part corrupts
PATRIOTISM AT A CHEAP FIGURE.
HERALD REPREsENrArIvE-iou seem to have no
faith In the patriotism OF the American people
Mr.. wILxEs-Oh, yes, have great deal. The
average American Is the most patriotic man in the
world, SO long you don't invade kis party SYM
pataies or touch his proats 69t the industry OF
ating that 1t touches him at almost every point,
and he is only too ready to yield to the subordinate
allegiance OF party in preference to what his per-
sOnal interests have taught him TO be
THE MERE ROMANTIC INTERESTS OF PATRIOTISM.
And In anayZlng tnls sentiment OF patriotism as
1t exists in our country we must not overlook the
fact that, during the last fifty years we have been
breeding to foreign races, which have slgnalized
their emigration to this country by tearing from
their bosoms every sentiment OF nationality and
love OF country. This must nave and must have had
It's effect. Still you must not misunderstood as
having too poor an idea Of the virtue and patriot
ism OF the American people. They are just as good,
and, in my opinion, not bit better than any other
people.
THEIR AVERAGE MORALITY
may be well illustrated by that OF any chance audi
ence in the pit OF the Bowery Theatre, all OF whom
Will sympathize with lady In white satin flying
from a rutnan, and even shed tears Tor her dis.
tresses, but the majority oil whom would forgive
ruffian If shOud succeed hiuh