The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
The senate OF the United states-lts
Duty in the Caldwell Case.

We have often called the attention of the
country to the Senate of the United States
There was time not far in the past when it
was distinguished for the intellectual worth
and political virtue of its members. Clay and
Webster and Calhoun were long among it's
brightest ornaments. Silas Wright and Ben
ton and Douglas did honor to themselves,
the Senate and the nation. In more recent
years, just antecedent to the civil war, during
the rebellion and since the close of that re-
markable struggle, it has had among its MEM
bers Senators eminent for the sincerity of their
convictions and their answering purpose
OF these none hold a higher place than Charles
Sumner. When Webster left the halls where
the thunders of his eloquence were so often
heard Sumner entered upon his career as
statesman-a career that we sincerely hope
may be far from its close. In the
quarter of century he has filled his
| place it has been his evil fortune to see the
brilliancy and power which once made this
the most august Legislative body in the world
| gradually fade away. From an arena of giants
the Senate Chamber has become the showboard
of puppets. There is no longer intellectual
strength, statesmanlike intelligence or moral
soundness among the newcomers who have
gathered to Mr. Summers side. These men
| are his peers. but not his equals. Ifhe should
| die tomorrow he would leave behind him little
that is good and nothing that is hopeful for
the perpetuity of the Republic.
| If we should seek the reason of this in any
single fact we should fail to find the cause.
The degradation is more apparent than the
methods by which it was accomplished. The
disturbed and deplorable condition of the
South, growing out of the ignorance of Che
freed people, the usurpation of the carpet
baggers and the fiendishness of the Ku Klux,
is one of the most potent Of the many causes.
But the new and many of the old States, as
we'll as the reconstructed States, have weak
and bad men in the Senate We can readily
understand why Patterson, the new Senator
from South Carolina, who expects seat in the
next Congress, should be accused of bribery.
We are not surprised that Georgia, Florida
and Alabama are represented in part at least,
by men whose attainments do not include the
three R's-reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic.
Even in the case of Powell Clayton, of Arkan-
sas, we saw nothing to provoke any grave fears
for the safety of our institutions. But if it is
suggested that Senators from Rhode Island,
New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Ne
braska or Kansas have obtained their places by
the corrupt use of money, or through the
influence of railroad or other corporations we
may well be alarmed. Investigation would
develop state of facts as disgraceful as has
been shown in the relations Of many promi-
nent men to the Credit Mobilier Probably
fifty out of the seventy -four Senators obtained
their seats by purchase. We know of many
cases where the allegation is openly made and
has never been denied by the accused states
men. 1t is seldom that any inquiry is insti-
tuted, even where the charges are notorious, and
when it is done it is generally to whitewash
the criminal. The country will remember
the tenderness with which Senator Pomeroy
was treated last year. He may not have been
| guilty, but he certainly was not tried. The
case of his colleague, Senator Caldwell, was
put off week after week and month after
month, and, Notwithstanding that the facts
which have been developed are of the most
damaging character, it is not certain even
now that report will be made at this session
of Congress.
This man, Caldwell is fair sample of the
new class Of Senators. Unlike his colleague
he has not even Pecksnif6an greatness He is
not able he is not wise he is not good and he
is not eloquent If he opened his mouth it
would be only to put his foot in it." A
whole Winter spent in the gallery of the Senate
would scarcely reveal the fact of this mans
presence upon the floor. The Senate is full of
men like him; but, like the white caps which
Heck the tide it is not easy to distinguish one
from another But for all this, Caldwell is
dangerous man. and ''usefur' in his way; his
usefulness alone made it possible for him to
attain his infamy of distinction. The legisla-
tors who preferred his claims to those of other
persons were induced to see his fitness by such
an insignificant argument as thousand dol
lars for vote. According to the testimony his
competitor, Governor Carney, was persuaded
to get out of his way for fifteen thousand dol
lars, and got seven thousand dollars besides for
sselectioneering expenses And it is said
that the money thus spent in Caldwell's behalf
was not his own, but the corruption fund of
the men who expected to own him after pur-
chasing his election. If he had not been their
instrument in their jobs he would be doubly
villain; but his record shows that he is in
deed supple tool We should hesitate to speak
of him tn US if these facts had not been clearly
shown in the investigation which is now in
progress. His connection with the use of the |
money for the purpose Of bribery seems
beyond all doubt unless, indeed, the sworn !
testimony is both false and malicious. As
it stands II is too bold and clear to be |