Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-10-18
THE NATIONAL PERIL.

Unless our Government is TO prove
disastrous failure-unless this Republic
is in its turn to be plunged into the
black abyss Of ruin and oblivion that
has swallowed up all the republics of the
past remedy must be devised,
aud that speedily, Tor the almost uni
our politics, legislation and civil service.
We are far from assuming that all poll
ticians are corrupt; that al! our leCisla-
lures are yenal; or that there are no
honest officials and revenue departments.
But the belief is general throughout the
country, and among all classes of the
people, that the great majority OF those
who make business of politics are
men utterly destitute Of principle or hon
or; that, as general rule, any municipal
or State Legislature can be controlled by
skiltul lobbyists backed by capital and
acting in the interests of powerful cor
porations; and that the number of Of
iicers in the various departments of the
public service who can resist bride
iudiciously proffered under circum-
stances where opportunity combines with
temptation, is exceedingly small. The
Judiciary is smirched with the same STAIN
1t is notorious that judges have been
bought by corporations, and even by
wealthy Individuals and none but the
most unsophisticated and simple souls
entertain doubt that the decisions of
courts in the State OF New York and
elsewhere have been influenced by con-
siderations referring to the wealth, popu-
larity and political influences of litigants.
Every candid and will-informed
American will admit that the admins
tration of justice in England is more
pure than in the United States, and that
British Judges are, rs general rule
more independent, impartial and incor-
ruptible than ours. With US wealthy
and influential criminal has tenfold
better chance of battling justice than one
destitute of friends and resources. In
England punishment is as sternly meted
out to II lord or a millionaire as to coal
HEAVIER. The most alarming symptom
of all is that with US wealth covers in.
fanny, and success knows no shame.
Power possessed silences all question as
TO how it was attained; and triumphant
rascality holds its unblushing front high
er than the head of unprosperous virtue.
Unless the public mind and conscience
were bewildered or debauched this could
not be SO. 1t is law of our nature that
impels us to strive for those things that
are held in high esteem by our fellow
men. If talent, integrity and learn
ing were really held in higher estima-
ton than wealth, we should see the same
energy and eagerness displayed in &c.
quiring reputation for these that we
now see expended in amassing fortune.
II public opinion were sound and health.
full enough to have an honest and un.
feigned contempt for wealth dishonesty
acquired, or unaccompanied by virtue
and high qualities of mind and intellect
the pursuit of gain by crooked paths
would be less common. The sense Of
shame and the love of appreciation, two
Of tho most powerful principles of action,
are neutralizedin their benefcient efficacy
when q whole people cease to consider
anything shameful that bears the stamp
OF success, and offer the incense Of their
praise, their adulation, and their homage,
not to the best and greatest citizens, bui
to those who possess the most millions,
or the most Of that kind Of power and
influence which comes Of millions, or can
be used to gain them.-[N. Y. Weekly.