Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-08-24
DANGERS OF THE REPUBLIC.

/ College.
1.-The combinations to accomplish
selfish purposes are not always under
stood by the body OF the people, anC
hence their frequent success They
acxuire by use, skill, and system, the
force of complete organization. NJ
military system is more effective from
the Generalissimo to the Corporal
Each grade performs its Office in the
plan, running down from the State
through the counties, cities, townships
and boroughs. The smallest has its
file leader to keep it in line, and face
or about, at the word OF command
Feudual in its character, feelty is the
great bond; and rewards are parceled
out by the superior lord, to suit the ex'
igency of his own needs.
"Perhaps the combination may be
likened to an oligarchy of the fewest
number-chief leaders securing to
themselves the highest Offices, and dis.
tributing the lower to their retainers
The organization consists of State and
County committees, or executive
juntos, city and borough leaders, and
expectants. These operate through
State aud county conventions, and
town meetings are supposed
to express the voice of the people-but
in reality are moulded by the oligarchs
to record their own will. Their sue
cess depends much on the ability of
the ligarchs to plan and lead, and the
money they can control. Alone they
could not always command success, for
this depends on hoodwinking the peo-
ple But unfortunately they too often
find their ablest organs in the press.
1t is the great lever that moves the
world, and the oligarchy, Archimcdes
like contrives to make itself the full
crum on which the lever rests. /
mean no disrespeet to the press when
1 say it is used. Some are misled by
professions of principles and policy,
which they maintain. and honestly up
hold-others are not corrupt, but are
governed by desire to extend their
influence and circulation-some are set
up and controlled by the oligarchs, and
a few act from mereenary motives. Be
the cause and mode what they may.
the oligarchy succeeds chiefly through
the partisan press, which it uses by
professions of patriotic purposes, in the
line of party.
"The oligarchy is shrewd, and rarely
proposes in the line of its operations
as coming direcely from itself, but in
geniously initiates its movements by
unseen II unconnected means. For
example, it selects a newspaper, or a
correspondent least likely to be sus-
pected of entertaining the hidden pur
pose. Thus, if a tool is desired to fll
certain place, correspondent or a
newspaper at distance suggests his
name and popularity, and how useful
to his party or his country he might
be, if he would only consent to be a
candidate The local paper then copies
and dilates on the compliment. Just
so western newspaper made Con-
gressman in the middle of the State at
the last election. So ifa weak man is
to be bolstered up, convenient cor
respondent at distance, or newspaper
apparently disiDterested, writesa grand
Eloquent description of his character,
powers, and influence. The thunder
echoes throughout all the minor organs,
and ends in a grand burst of harmony
which is to make him Senator, Gov
ernor, or something else. Thus the
oligarchs would, for the sake of patron
age and power, to be distributed as re-
wards, elect man without education
beyond the most ordinary standard, to
the grandest boy on the globe, in
character, functions, and influence
where questions of the highest import
are to be discussed and decided, con-
cerning National and Constitutional
law, foreign and interstate relations,
external and internal commerce, trea-
ties, codes of pol;ty, conflicts of laws,
institutions and rights. Poor fellow !
his fate is often that of the frog who
swelled beside the OK. But what care
the oligarchs if patronage and power
be secured. Herein lies danger.
"Take another illustration-the dele
gates of county or city are to be
captured for the benefit of the oligarchs.
The convenient newspaper of the place
suggests how the people may compli-
ment favorite citizen, by permitting
him to nominate his own delegates.
The bait is swallowed, leviathan is
hooked, and the convenient friends of
the oligarchs are named and execute
their DEGREES. The oligarchy is not
confined to few modes 1t under
stands how to play off candidates, aud
local interests or prejudices against
each other.
Sometimes the oligarcbs choose a
chief, whose wealth or o.her attributes
may be used for the benefit of the sys-
tenn. And when the Pibroch sounds
Instant through copse and heath arose,
Bonnets and spears and bended bows,
And every suft of broom gives life,
To plaided warrior, armed for strife
"The power and mode of action of
this organization is often seen in its
control of National affairs. Through
the oligarchy State Convention is
called in hot haste before the people
can act in primary capacity. This
thing is often prepared year before
hand, and delegates not chosen by
sub-organization, are sent, wearing
the bonnet and kilt of the chieftain,
whose whistle heard
The signal garrisons the glen,
At once with full five hundred men,
Perhaps, to stife local or indepen-
dent opinion, they resolved that the
delegates shall vote as unit, and the
chieftain casts it-'solid for Mulhooly.'
"Thus, too, ardent unionists and de-
tenders of nationality, they suddenly
are transformed into loud defenders of
State rights, and sing peans to the
power and dignity of a solid State
that is, solid for the oligarchy. These
modes are sometimes carried into the
affairs of the nation itself. 1t is not
enouph to control factions such leaders