New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-04-09
From District oE CoGE,a5i:..
Arc we on he Decline

| To He E"ior erhe Mo National Era:
Not unfrcqucntly in the history Of men,
one particular man from obscure circum-
stances rises suddenly, his wealth is counted
by thousands, his influence has the magic
touch Of the wand, he sldes along swim
mingly, while all the world wonders. As in
Simultaneously rs he became rich, he bee ONES
poor again, and all those who once wor-
shipped and sung reans to his greatness de-
sert him like rats do n sinking ship, and
avoid him as assiluously as one having the
lcprosy.
The decline Of a nation like the downfall
lsf man, s,.esx s.oishe IS -, llen nd complete
but as sure, if mischievous men are allowed
to poison the springs from whence flow ma
iional life
When individuals or nations become cor
rult either morally or politically (and politi-
cal corruption follows fast upon the heels of
moral degradation) the causes arc to be
found bound up in the individual conduct or
traccablc to some national alicnation-th
worship of some golden calf" set up in the
midst Of the people. The want Of moral hon
csty among men rs individuals or rs MEM
bcrs of society like the want Of 4 sound mon
ctary basis in the commercial marts, serves
to disintcgrate, thence follow distrust, deceit,
dishonesty, with many other evils cropping
cut, as the want of mutual confidence remains
apparent.
ii is fact not easily coniradctcd, that in
comparison with older nations. We in the
march of progress have dstanccd them.
Our strides have been rapid, and the sound
of our footballs have been heard where ever
civilization has penetrated.
To us no labor has been too hard no sci
cntic research too difficult. Philosophy and
mathematics find their homes among us.
Music contributes its quota, sculpture gives
evidence of our refinement, while painting
loves to linger in our habitations and public
buildings as SO many undying proofs of our
taste and love of the beautiful.
Wealth rolls up its millions, while the bar,
bench, and pulpit have made for us name
and fame which will endure so long as the
memory OF man is capable of remembering
anything. If we have outstrpped other ma
tons, it is n question OF moment to us
whether we have been mindful to lay our
foundation deep and strong.
Our fathers in the formation of the Govern
mcnt were careful to hedge us round so that
come what would the Government was con-
sccrated to Liberty.
What have VIC accomplished We have
spread out until the waters Of both oceans
wash our shores. We have lcvclled the
forest, We have built cities, We have erected
railroads, we have invented the telegraph, and
accomplished thousand other useful things
which contribute to make our country great
and powerful and our people proud OF the
Republic.
Arc we not, whether consciously or uncon'
sciously, removing the old landmarks, and
building up government semi-republlc
scmi-oligarchy
The passion for the accumulation OF wealth
without the patient labor which brings COM
potency, was never more ripe and apparent
than now.
If we look through the different ranks OF
men, we find that the higher the man stands
in public estimation and Office, the more
greedy is he to get riches-honestly pos
sible-but to get them at any hazard. Hence
these investigations which follow each other
like chime of bells, and the moral and po'
litical corruption which taints the character
of large number of our public men who oc'
cupy the highest seats in the political syna'
gOgue.
Our legislation is made to subserve the
wants of the rich as against the rights OF the
poor, and corporations already bent to earth
with the weight of wealth, by Capitalization,
so manipulate as to build up an arrogant, in
huential, inscriptions monied class who
trample under foot everything wearing the
badge Of poverty.