Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-02-26
NEAR MipDLEwAY,
Fob 1krl lSSl.


from ur Lincoln advised continuation
ever .no same wise policy. A rigid econo-
q ~" the expenditures OF the public
ID! was we'll established maxim and
I,V"n,,,nropriations of them underwent
al "i Inn q scrutiny before they werU made,
hen they were made it was done In
NV r;,, conformity with what the states
SKI" of that age conceived 10 be conslitul-
nv authority I'D within the purview
,yhat they considered sacred and
v;nJmr instrument. The public monies
I'd the public lands We're guarded with
'hc most Jealous care, and they were used
nnIy for Legitimate and governmental
nmposes. The eXtravagant expenditures
nj the public monies, and the prostitution
of them to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF favored
classes, and individual cupidity, they con-
demne,l rs odious and contrary to ana aI
variance with the spirit and letter OF tne
constitution. They gave it no Such ia,;-
tudinOus construction, when lhe i"'', w. wv,
nSrians of this age do, nor ala inc! penu
or enitomize il 10 meet their convenience
or tn suit the avarice of the rich ana pow
crfnl That WAS the golden age OF the
republic. Then honesty anu integrity
were the cardinal qualifications Tor Office,
and the public functiOnarles performed
The dulles of their station with puhctlI-
lions honor and firm adherence TO their
hedges aud upon the fundamental Prln-
riple of justice and equity. The rich and
the poor were alike protected. But that
lust and equitable policy which was so
rcligiOuSly observed, and conscentlously
rurSucd 10y those pure and unsullicd pa
riots, in that age of republican simplici-
~. has been succeeded by policy dia-
metrically the opposite, and those who
now administer the government owe their
election To fraud and corruption and the
monied iuteresl; and candor compelS ne
70 FAY, that this destructive element
which threatens the stability Of the re-
putlic, and which is so powerful factor
IN the government is not confined to
snple party. Eut the contamination
seems 10 be general and evidence OF its
uotencv can be seen in all. And while
The masses have not deteriOIatCd the
leaders are corrupt and understanding
the weakness of human nature these
demagogues play upon their prejudices
and feelings Of bitterness are engendcred,
their Judgment is warped, their power of
discrimination is blinded by party zeal
and All honest but misguided people fol-
low these mercenary leaders they know
not withcr.
Ind though capital is in the hands of 4
small number, lis power is not clIcum-
scribed, and il is more potent than num-
hers and wields All influence upon the
destinies of this country, which II not
checked will eventually end in the total
subytrsiou of oar free institutions, ana
the acknowledgements OF those who dare 10
resist its impcrious mandate. OF the
truth Of this we have the most tangible
proof, and il may be seen in all the yari-
Gus manifestations of the political organi-
cations OF the present DAY, from the
pyGmcan meeting, that noinlnat"s the
round keeper and constable 10 The grand
and stately convention that nomInatcS
the candidate for presidential honorS.
And system Of espionage and surveil-
once hiss been inaugurated upon tie con-
duct Of candidates and voters, that would
disgrace monarchy and is an insult TO a
freeborn American. The spies and de-
trCtiyes of this supcrlativc power may be
seen rs well in the Ciminut:ve primaries
that chooses delegates, rs in tue cOnyen-
lions where they meet 10 make the nomi-
nations and perform the manipuiatlonS.
And candidates for office from the hog
peter 10 the Governor are interviewed
and cateciZed, by these hirelings and cm-
i>arics OF this great dignatary, with an
insOlence that is not eXcclled by an Irish
man at j Donncy Brook fair; and If they
nave the independence and manlineSs 10
declare their hostility TO this golden deity,
tho seal of their condemnation is affixed
tothcm, and they become objects OF per-
secution aud prescription. The fate OF
Ar. Hereford oil our little mountain State,
upon whose shield and banner is written
Nontani Scmper Liberi, is an cxcmpli-
fication OF this Ovcrbearing and prescrip-
tive policy, who for his opposition TO the
gigantic schemes of plumber Of this
naughty tyrant WAS decapitated and Is
succeeded Oy man who refused 10 give
evidence before a committee appointed by
the legislature of the State 70 enquire in
10 the crooked ways of the B. & q. X. r.,
snd who, himself holds prominent posi-
ton in the great Petroleum syndicate.
In your issue of the 18th of February
there is n communication in which the
writer exposes the rapacity Of these
monster railroad monOpOlies which seem
TO be the peculiar pets Ofour national lcgis-
lator and the alarming tendencies of their
diifusc and stupendous operations, and
the indirect and shameful manner in
which they fleece a CrcdulOus and uncOn-
scious people Of their property by the
excessive loans of money and extensive
grants of land which they have received
from the Federal Government 10 con-
strutt these roads and which is but 4
mantle 10 disguise their real designs and
the cloak under which these avariCious
and grasping m0nopolists prosecute sys-
lem of plumber by which they are en-
richcd and the people loaded with debt
and impoverished with taxation, the re-
suit of this ubiquitous system of Jiscriln-
mating legislation.
Experience should teach Us wisdom
and when man or any set of men see
that they have entrusted their property
20 the care Of an unfaithful steward and
they see that he is not taking proper
care of it they will dismiss him and place
il in the hands of one who il more faith
full. Now this is analogous TO the Condi-
ton of the people OF this country, their
property has been wasted by those who
have proved recreant to their trust and il
Is the imperative duty Of every man what
over may be his party proclivities TO di-
vest himself of them and unite in one
solid body and bend all bis energy to ar
rest this class of legislation that's sapping
the foundation of the republic and taking
from the farmer, mechanic and laborer
tho fruits OF their industry and hard
earned pittahce TO fill the Golfers OF rail-
road niagnates who are not content with
equal laws and equal protection but who
seek through the channels of government
10 increase their wealth AT the expense of
Justice and the toll and labor of the work
ing class upon whose shoulders falls the
burden and out of the proceeds OF whose
Industry must come the money TO pay the
enormous Gebt of the country. large
portion OF which has been cntailed upon
II Tor the benefit of these Shylocks by an
eXtravagaDt and plastic Congress 10 graf
ify the inordinate cupidity of these Sordid
and .Overresching monopolsts whose i'm
mense wealth enables them to expandtheir