Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-02-16
A Fatal Sense Of Safety and Security,
American Register.

American Register.
Let us not deceive ourselves, or be
lulled into a false sense Of security. II
the idea be INDUCED that no danger is
in prospect, or is threatening the safety
of our free institutions it is q great and
fatal mistake. No intelligent observer
of the course of events in this country
for some years past, who has studied
the history of free governments, can
fail 10 see the danger manifestly APP
preaching.
When Clay and other great statesmen
warned the country OF the dangers OF a
rupture in the Union OF the States. and
civil war, from the reckless course OF
partisan leaders in trampling upon the
pledges Of the public faith upon which
the Union had been founded. they were
hooted and ridiculed. And not until
the war actually broke out and was upon
us. did the people really become sensi.
BILE of the dangers OF which they had
been for years warned.
Only few months since the Presi.
dent Of the United States was brutally
assassinated in a public thoroughfare as
direct and ,Rdeniajlc rc5lh Of the "spoiLs
syst>m Of Office and vet when an efEec.
tive remedy for this degrading and cor.
rupting practice in our political affairs
is proposed in CongresA, ii is ridiculed
and deTided by public journals and
votaries of monarchy.
Within few years q candidate for
President, undeniably elected by a ma.
iority Of the votes OF the people, was
by unprecedented arrangements cheat,
ed out Of the office, the country brought
to the very verge Of civil war, and the
defeated candidate actually inaugurAted
and made President OF the United
States.
The dominant political party, in order
to control the elections and prrpetuate
it's partisan ascendency aud power, has
adopted and organized. under color Of
law. a system ot partisan supervisors and
deputy marshais nf ele-tions. whose ap.
pointments and proceedings are con.
Quoted IN partisan secresy, Bnd paid for
by the Government whereby the cleo.
tions have been corrupted and control.
ed, and that party continued in the
control of public affairs.
The political party in power has un-
1ertaken TO atd in scheme of TepudIa
ton Of State liabilities in the Southern
States, in order to strengthen it.eli in
power. The decentralization nf this
movement will soon spread into the
other States. and finallv he extended to
the liabilities Of the Federal Govern
ment. And the rule Of action 81 this
party, publicly proclaimed on the floor
Of the United States senate. y, 'hAt
anything - jssi,fdJls N mordh and "a kre
that uiH beat do,cn the Democratic yarfg ami
keep he Republican party n porSy." Every
thing has become debs-pd hy pnttyi.m.
Tie party instead of he country aIIs the
minds Of politicians. The interests and
staccess Of the party, instead of the ,e'h
fare Of the country. is the ruling princI
Pile. Partyism has become the Noloch
TO which the country aud its safety are
being sacrificed. Ambition. cupidlty
and selfi.hness have taken the place Of
patriotism, and maenanimous regard
for justice. aud the rights and liberties
Of The people. The nnrelenting and
inexorable Iartyism Of the party IN
power has degraded and demorali1ed
the political elements Of the entire
country.
In view of all these matters referred
to, and which are in no wise exaggera
ted--indeed, not fully portrayed, n man
must he purblind, or ignorant OF the
history Of nations, who cannot see the
approaching danger to our country and
its free institutions. II is simply ques
tion OF time when the conflict shall
arise, unless Congress shall speedily
adopt some efficient and thorough measure
s-.sf..S .s.1
medy the evil.
Judge Geddes' proposed amendment,
by taking away from the President the
appointing power, would accomplish
much. A few years ago Hon. NJ. /.
Soutbard introduced into Congress q
proposition 10 amend the Constitution
By substituting plural Executive for
Il . single President. This IL worthy
the serious attention Of patriots and
statesmen.