Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-04-22

Oeen Sacn q state OF things as now
exists. During the dark hours of
the Rebellion--our late civil strife
the people were ever hopeful,
when the war eliminated, and an
unconditional surrender was
made rejoicings went up from one
section Of this country to the 9TH
Grand for brief space Of time the
prospect was,that we were shortly
again to become a united, peace
full, prosperous and happy people.
Soon misguided government and
social and official cupidity broke
the spell, and we are now totter-
ing on the verge of ruin like every
Republic of the past, as q forerun-
ner of its final destruction,
The confidence of the people Is
destroyed. The credit Of the coun-
try is ruined, faith in the Govern
ment is not las q grain Of mustard
seed" The people deluded the
Representatives corrupt, and the
future OF the country doubtful.
The Government of the country
can never be kept pure while one
or the other of the great political
parties has an overwhelming ma
jority in government. And for
the last 10 years this has been the
misfortune of our country. Not
that / believe the officials of the.
party in power, are or have been,
more corrupt than would have
been the administration of things
by the other party. Neither par
ty can be trusted with perfect i'm
panty. Even In the investiga-
tiOns now going on it has shown
where the Republicans had their
Roland" the Democrats had
their "Oliver."
1t must be admitted land I &C.
knowledge it with shame) that
there have been official corruption
from the inception of this govern
ment to the present time, regard
less Of party politics, or party Of
filiations. But whether the pres
emit officials have stolen more than
is orthodox or not, will depend
upon future developments, the
chances are strongly in favor Of
the present administration, and
there is q dogmatical course pur-
sued by the majority in Congress
of ignoring every other interest In
the development Of fraudulent Of
fetal conduct lin the hope Of secur-
ing popular favor upon the dis
grace aud downfall Of the party in
power.
That every other interest of the
Government is neglected and
subservient to fraudulent devel-
opments is in my humble judy
ment q suicidal policy. / learn
there are nov thirty-nine different
investigating committees appoint
ed and In running order in this
Congress. The Sergeant-at-arms
is the only man now who Is mas
ter of the situation. His fees ac-
cording to presidents will not be
less than $4,000. Whether any
of these committees have been ap-
pointed in his interest, or this sum
will be divided among the ''impe-
cunious" devoted to this exclus-
sive policy of legislation, an in
vestigation at some future session
may devel0pe.
The last session of Congress was
little less reprehensible than the
present, for no petty relief bill
could be got to pass without a swap
exchange of vOte-s'If you will
vote for my bill, ] will vote for
your subsidy" And Congress
then was and Congress now is, lit
tie less than q post leadership or
trades union.
This day is the anniversary of
the death of that great and good
man Abraham Lincoln, the low
lest, yet the neblest and most
defled statesman Of modern times.
To-day one of the races, is with
patriotic affection and zeal, erect
ing a monument to his memory,
while the ether race is enthusiast
tically engaged in ferreting out
their own rascality, and devising
ways and means for successful fu-
ture corruptions.
This modern craftsmanship pre-
sents strange and sad spectacle.
One would think that If the spirit
Of Clay and Webster and other pa
triotic saints could now look down
from their Heavenly abodes upon
this Congress of bastard statesmen
and witness the pettifogging i'm
becility they would be induced to
hide their faces in shame behind
the battlements Of the New Jeru-
salem, and importune the record
ing Angel Of Heaven to alter the
record showing from whence they
came.
Being the proprietor OF my en-
tire sell, both joiatly and severally
can afford tOspeak tho truth 90