The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-12-13
FERNANDO WOOD AS SPEAKER.

1t is fact. both startling and deplora-
BILE, that the ninety eight Democratic men,
bers of the Forty Third Congress have
placed themselves under the generalship of
Fernando Wood.
The Reformers throughout the land, who
have shown their dissatisfaction with the
Republican party by staying away from
the polls or by voting the Democratic
ticket, have now presented to them an
opportunity of realizing their fearful mis-
take. Had the Congressional elections
taken place this year, and the Democracy
obtained a majority, Fernando Wood would
have been Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, and the consequent reign of
corruption thus inaugurated would be
beyond calculation.
Had the acts of maladministraton,
which were committed by Fernando Wood S
administration as mayor of New York,
been visited upon his head, he would now
be keeping company with his recently con-
victed. friend, Boss Tweed.
In the beginning of the war, rs mayor
of New York city, he gave active aid and
comfort to the enemy, and this reasonable
conduct is now securing him the support
of the ex- traitors whom the Democracy of
the South has sent to Congress.
Fernando Wood voted for the increase of
salary to members, including the back pay,
and kept the proceeds thereof. And the
newly elected Democratic members, while
still hoarse with denunciation of that mea-
sure. paid Mr.. Wood the highest compli-
ment in their power by voting for him as
Speaker, which is the third Office in i'm
portance in the country.
OF course we expected no consistency on
their part, and knew full well that their
professions of reform, economy and re-
| trenchment were idle catch words. and yet
we regret that public opinion has had so
little influence upon the Democratic minor
ity that they put forward as their expo
nent, with unblushing effrontery, man
who. more than all others, embodes all
opposition to reform and progress. We
| would much rather feel that the destiny of
the country was secure in the hands of
either political party, but events lave
proved again and again that it is not SO.
The nomination of Fernando Wood for
the Speakership is only one of the many
evidences that Southern disloyalty and the
| ignorance of large cities, combined with
the anti, republican and revolutionary eless
ments of society, would inaugurate a reign
of political pro6igacy and corruption
which would plumber the Treasury of mil
the polls the loyal and particularly the col
ored voters in the Southern States and
evince determination to remain in Office
until revolution as fierce as that which
swept Tweed into the Tombs would drive
them from power forever
| 1t is true Boss Tweed is at Blackwell's
Island, and that he has been iiued S12, $50,
| but this is small satisfaction to the tax
| payers of the plundered city, whose debt
| has been augmented nearly a hundred mil
| lion dollars through the instrumentality of
an organization of which Tweed and Wood
| were the chief authors and supporters
| Tweed is gone, but the debt remains, and
| the pseudo reformers who persuade the
people to try the foolish experiment of
| placing the destiny of the country in the
hands of the Democratic party may enjoy
the satisfaction at some future day Of
Fernando Wood or John Morrissey orna.
menting prison cell, but the thousand of
millions of dollars squandered, the dsor-
| ders created, and the disgrace thrown upon
our institutions would remain as monu-
ments of our folly and the fearful mis-
takes which republics sometimes make.
Nor is the decentralization caused by the
reign of Tweed and his adept pupils in
crime ended by their downfall. The germs
of official misconduct and disregard of
office planted during his reign are still
sprouting and bringing up new crop Of
Boss Tweed, which can emily be cxtermin--
ated, like the Canada thistle, by incessant
labor and never sleeping vigilance
The nomination Of Fernando Wood as
Speaker, and the public opinion of the
Democratic party that made such a uomi.
nation possible, have robbed the convic-
ton of Tweed of almost its entire sgnii-
canoe; but if this startling fact should
bring to their senses the men who have
tritled with the fortunes of the Republican
party, and will show them the fearful gulf
to which they were tending. this shameful
nomination may have good effect in the
future.-Ths Republic.