The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-09
THE VIEWS OF A STATES
MAN.
WHAT GOV. SEYMOUR THINKS
ABOUT THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.
Reform the Pivot on Which the Presl.
Dental Caucus will Turn---The
Republicans Must Go out--The
Democrats Will Succeed Be
cause Disconnected
With Corrup-
ton.

From an interpieW a0iM tie Hon. Horatio Seq
m0ur, bs the " Y Herald.
II recently said that the Republican
party had lost the confidence of the coun-
try and that the Democrats had not gained
it, and that was not random phrase, but
one that seems to me to reflect the general
relation of the parties to public opinion.
But the sanguine Democrats view their
side Of the case more hopeful" | said.
My view of the hopefulness of the case
for the Democracy is as bright as theirs, l"
he answered, but perhaps for different
reason. 1t seems to me that the leaders
of both parties misunderstood the state
OF the public mind in some respects"
In what respects in particular"
In respect to the relation Of the parties
to corruption. The Democrats feel that
they can overthrow their opponents on ac-
count of the developments at Washing
ton. The Republicans think that they
can hold power if they throw overheard
detected wrongdoers The latter propo-
sition is not true at all. The former is
not true in that shape"
1T is in the direction of the truth, but
does not grasp it, them
The common error is in the ASSUMPTION,
which seems TO be at the bottom of so
much that's said about the condition of
the public service, that all this fraud and
corruption has suddenly grown up at the
capital, and is now fully exposed and
brought to the knowledge of the people
for the first time. These corruptions date
from the close CT the war Frauds and
violations Of law have been open for years.
Though known, they were not noted, for
the people were indifferent to them.
People we're so filed with the passion
engendered by the war, 80 absorbed in
their purpose to save the Union, that re-
gard for honesty, love of Justice, respect
Tor law were like lesser passions over
whelmed by the greater. 1t is always 50.
Tor people wrought to great fever by a
great occasion regard all lesser topics as
unworthy attention and rogues seize the
opportunity. Then came the time of ex-
element, speculative greed for wealth, g
love tor extravaganza and vulgar display
CAUSES OF DECENTRALIZATION.
Luxury, immortality, dishonest schemes
an aversion to honest labor and simple
economy grew up everywhere in our coun
try. They demoralized, more or less, al
classes all of which is shown BY the con
slant disclosures of bankruptcy anC
defalcations all over the land Our gov
ernments, municipal, state, and general
are strictly representative, and in Their
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. they have reflected
errors and demoralizations that begun
with the people.
These cOrTuptiOns are popular anC
common, and are not the vice of party
especially, but the party that was 10 powel
reflected them. The people corrupted
the officials, who thereupOn robbed anC
wronged the public Had it been other
wise q change of parties would have
brought relief, but the action of all parties
has been the same in this respect. Demo
Gratis and Republicans have foated witt
the tide and been tainted with the cor
ruption of the times.
Look at the social condition of Wash
ingtoD. believe that if any member o
the cabinet in the past ten years had livet
within his salary he would have lost cast
and consideration. There has been a rag
for coarse and vulgar display, utterly a
variance with the simplicity the self
respect and the dignity which once marked
official life at the national capital. MI
Belknap did not make corruption, Cor
ruption made him what he is. 1t lai
hold OF him with a thousands hands tn
moment he came within the circle of off
cial patronage. He did not make it an,
more than the weathercock makes tn,
wind which moves it.
OUR MORAL SENSE AWAKENED.
But how does this view of the origin o
the corruptions change the relation to then
OF the party not in power?"
People are not satisfied that the part.
out of power is really any better in it
nature than the other. 1t must, there
fore, deserve their confidence before it oh
tains 1t. 1t has an opportunity before il
while the party that has been proven cor
rupt must yield its position. The uprisin
against corruption is not because the Re
publicans are nov worse than before, O
because their crimes are now first known
but because the country is better than j
was; because 1t has recovered its mora
sense, and in this frame of mind it give
Its confidence reluctantly, There hav
been worse cases of misconduct by on
minister's abroad than Schenck's case
worse consplracics against personal safet
and honor than the safe burglary affair
and holder extortions than are charges
against Belkuap, but the stories of then
Tell on Indifferent ears; all were stupefie,
by the moral malaria.
The developments, therefore, tina
s.artle the country only do SO because vii
.ae ana patriotism have awakened, becaus
Tue people have had such other develop
,,'i lts as moral perception and regard fc
In this changed phase of the nnb TUu In
all will be called upon to do tba;r dnt,
The public men Of wealth or those renr,
resenting large interests will no longer
tolerated in their policy of neutrality b,
tween right and wrong in politios' an