Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-10-09
AN ELEMENT OF DANGER.


II Is fast dawnipg on the minds OF our
best and ablest men that despite all our
boosted progress of ideas, diffusion of
intelligence and freedom OF thought and
opinion that our system of Government
is open to most grave censure, aud that
there is much to learn and great improve
ments to be made. The civil service of
the United States is at present held in
such il-repute that 10 be Government
official is synonymous with many to being
rascal, only lacking the opportunity;
rectitude of action, or conscientious full
tillment OF duty being scoffed at as a
desirable but non -existing phase OF oil
cial life. The patriotic impulses that
outweiahed all other considerations IN
the minds of the founders OF the Eepuo'
lie seem to have died unregenerated' ana
amid the universal scramble for spoiis
all holiness of sentiment or love OF
country has apparently vanished. The
entire political machinery seems to be
out of gear, and as at present conducted,
more falls through into tho waste-basket
than is utilized. That this is beginning
to be generally understood is manifest
by the numerous calls for State Constitu-
tional Conventions, by the evident desire
of q change in the electoral system OF
voting, by tendency evinced TO
escape the ignominy Of incompetent
and often dishonest men elected to
representation by low, intrigue and
packed caucuses. and other indi-
cations. The Nation will shortly cele-
brate its hundrodth birthday. There is, in
the abstract, no more significance in the
hundredth anniversary of the Declaration
of Independence than there is in the
ninety-ninth. or the hundred and first,
but all English-speaking nations love to
dwell on rounded periods Of time and
the completion Of a century's existence
is very good season for retrospection
and the prohting by former errors
In the Iearly years Of the Republic
Americas wisest and best men formed
an ideal, possible Utopia, yet some
thing to look forward to and strive tc
attain. OF late other and unworthiel
interests have interviewed, scales have
formed over our eyes, We see things as
through glass darkly, and private gain
is rendered paramount to public good
The last quarter Of the century that II
so rapidly rounding to completion hal
few episodes in our social or politica
system on which an American can dwell
with pride; the civil service is a nest o
corruption, the judicial ermine is be
fouled with the contamination of private
brides and open conivance at fraud, th'
several branches of the public servic,
are debauched and amid the universe
game OF grab, now being played so ex
tensively, the public veal is overlooked
and the country's most vital interest
ignored. We are now on the horns OF
dilemma. either the present corrupt sys
tenn will destroy the Government. or til
Government must destroy the systeI
and uproot the causes that have led
such deplorable condition. One or IL
other must come; the history of nation
which is but reflection of producer
causes and ensuing effects, proves tn
corruption and venality in the publ
service, unless promptly checked, some
the knell of liberty and proclaims i
downfall. 1t took Rome three hundre
years to die; the death of onr moder
Republic, though more speedy, would
more terrific in proportion to the relati,
imp ortance of the worlds two create
Republics, the one the pride Of the Oh
World, the other the star OF hope
the distressed of all nations and with Il
possibility of aglorious future in the New