The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-04-24
The 4loEORe0DeDO Or Caldwell.

We cannot help feeling . little sorry fol
Caldwell, of Kansas. His i'll luck, which
began with the beginning of his Senatorial
career, followed him to i,s close, and even
continues after that career has reached sud.
den and inglorious termination. Caldwell
desired to be United States Seuaior-a very
natural and laudable desire, bat one which,
in his case, has proved the fruitful parent OF
used for the qualification of his political as
piratiOns were somewhat Objectionable, 1t il
true, but can he be blamed for having en-
ployed them? He lived in Kansas, where
the science of legislative corruption has
probably reached higher pitch of perfec-
ton than any where on the face Of the
earth, and where bargain and sale in poll
tics were 20 common rs t. scarcely attract
public attention, much less popular con-
demnation. He had watched the course
of Pomeroy; seen that great and good men
win honor after honor BY y slight turn of
the wrist and . judicious expenditure Of cash,
and observed that his standing in church
and state was in no way damaged by the
ladder on which be climbed to wealth and
fame. Caldwell thought-and who can
blame him for 90 thinking7-that treadine
in the footsteps Of Christian statesman was
the safest and sarest path to the goal of his
ambition, and 20 he vent on and in unhesi-
tuingly. He calculated how much six years
stay in the Senate vas worth to him, and
then entered the market and bought it like .
man. He had no more doubt Of being al
lowed to enjoy his purchase, than Of beir 9
permitted to wear boots and breeches for
wiich he had paid. The serenity of his
soul was not disturbed BY the slightest fore.
taste Of the coming storm.
But somehov-ve have never understood
exac;y how-Caldvell dropped into his seat
at III. wrong time. Instead Of soft cush-
ion. be found it filled with sharpest thorna,
and for two years his mental cuticle was
sorely lArcerated BY threats Of investigation
and hints Of expulsion. Gradually,
however, - month after month rolled away
and nothing was done, he was lulled into
false security. Then came the day of terri
bic awakening. He found himself the help
less, hopeless victim of an unexpected COM
binatiOn Of circumstances. In vain did he
plead for further delay, in vain did be urge
his youth and inexperience, in vain did he
beg for little Of that precious whiiewash
which covers q multitude of sins. Morton,
the saintly Morton was inexorable, and in.
formed the trembling suppliant that neither
the argument Of Cushing nor the quibbles
of Conkling could ave him. Caldwell
ought TO have initiated the example Of the
late Julius Cesar, wrapped his toga shout
his face, presented his bosom to the accursed
steel and died like gentleman. Instead Of
which he reareated in bad order and worse
odor behind the intrenchments of an en-
forced resignation.
Only one thing was now left him-he
must have "vindication," such . vindica-
ton "a Colfax had received from his friends
at South Bend, and Olkes Ames had pro-
cured from the c-rp:o- "a il his shovel-works
at North E,slon. The people Of Leaven-
worth were his fe!low-citisen.; they knew
him, they loved him, they would viDdicate
worth to be vindicated, and the Commercial
of that city said The vindication Va furnish
ed according 70 programme. We were glad
to know that, 1t last, after % much trial and
tribulaiion. pillow had been laid under the
head of afflicted Caldwell, and that he Wa
lulled to sleep BY the soft vbispers Of q con-
6ding constituency. But the bubble burt
almost before it Was blown. Here il the lat-
ct, the unkindest cut Of all:
"LEAvESwoRIH, KAs, April l6.-Re-
ferrine to the arrival of ex-Senator Caldwell
the TIxEs, editorially, savs: We deem it
our duty. in behalf Of the people Of Leaven-
worth, to eay to the newspapers that haye
copied the ConmereioFs notice Of ex-Sena;Or
Caldwell's return, that bis arrival at the
depot Vas not the signal for any unususl
gaiherine Of citizens On the contrary,