Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-03-30
CARDINAL GIBBONS ~ "PAiRIOr'
Ism AND POLITICS.,

american ReuioW contains the usual
quota Of instructive articles furnished
by that brilliant magazine from the
pens Of able publicists on current ques-
tlons OF great moment. Conspicuous
among the contributions TO this NUM-
Der IL paper By Cardinal Gibbons, the
eminent Catholic prclate. on the alb
sorbiuR theme OF "Patriotism and
Pclitlca." The Introductory portion Of
tho article l. mostly devoted 10 an ex-
PLANTATION OF patriotism and our systom
Of government, aud, Of course, relates
nothing specially now. Farther on Ito
indicates, a. do many other thoughtful
Americans, deep anxiety on account OF
dangers which appear to threaten the
perpetuation Of tie Republic. To add
force TO his warnings he,as many other
writers on this subject have done,
depicis tho situation Of the Roman en-
pire prior to It's fall, and the causes
that led to the catastrophe. He
shows clearly that the conditions
which led TO the demolition Of the
Roman governmental fabric exist
largely In this country, sud he isAp.
prehensive that n similar result Will
onsuc to this nation unless adequate
remedial means are applied. In order
to give fair idea Of Cardinal GibbonS
views, It viii be appropriate 10 intro
duce some quotations frou his article.
After stating that "neXt to God, our
country should hold the strongest
place In our Affections" he says;
"lIlstory IA philosophy teaching by
example. A brief review Of tho Roman
liepublin aud the causes OF it, downfall
will teach rs u useful lesson. The i,o-
public prosperod - long a. tho cttizons
practiscd simplicity oi HE and the civil
magistrates administered eyen-handed
Justice. Avarlco and ambition proved
its ruin. Tho avarlce Of tho poor was
gretihed by the bribery Of the richi and
tho ambition Of the rich was fed by the
votes Of the poor.
"1n the latter days Of the Repnhlic
bribery and corruption were shameiully
pncilccd. Marius was elected to the
consulshtp by tho purchase Of votes and
by collision with the most notorious
dcmagoguos. Pompoy and Cassus So
secured the conSul-hip by intimidation,
though neither Of them WAS legally
qualified for that ofice. Tho philosophy
Of Eplcurus, Introduced during tho last
years Of the Republic, FASTENED the moral
and mental corruption Of Rome. The
los Of the political autonomy Of Greece,
which preceded that of Rome, may DO
traced TO tho same cause. 10 tho early
Romans the oath was sacred, aud PERJURY
a dotostable crimc.n
After detailing incidents showing
the methods by which Roman elections
wtro csrried-ln some features they
are similar 10 cases of political jolt
berry In this county - the emi.
nent writer insists that we ought TO
take warning by the fate Of the Roman
empire. 10 exhibit the Justice Of his
comparison, he says:
"in every possible way, by tickets in
siduously printed, by 'colonizing,' ire
pcaiing,' and 'porsona,ion,' frauds arc
attempted, aud too oitcn successful, on
the ballot. / am informed by trust
worthy gentleman that, In certain
localities, the adhcronts OF one party,
while proof against hribcs from their
political opponents, will exact componsa-
ton before giving their votes even to
their own party candidates. The evil
would bo great enough II It were rcsirlci-
ed to examples of this kind, but Il be-
comes much moro serious when largo
bodies Of men arc dobauched by tho
bribos or intnidatcd by the threats Of
wealthy corporations.
"But when tho very fountains OF lOgis.
la,ion arc polluted by lobbying and other
corrupt means; whom the hand Of bribery
Ia extended, and not always In vain, To
our municipal, State, aud national logis.
lators; whom our law -mhl,ors become tho
plant tools Of some selfish aud greedy
capitalists, instead OF subscribing tho in-
terests OF the people, then, indeed, all
patriotic citizpns have reason to be-
alarmed about the future OF our country.
"rhe man who would poison the wells
and springs Of the land is Justly regarded
NJ human monster, as an enemy Of
society, and no punishment could be too
severe for him. Il he not as great u
criminal who would poison and polluto
tho ballot box, tho uniailiug iounl aud
well.spring OF our civil freedom and Of
our national Inn"
Here is what he says concerning the
treatment which ought to be meted
out 10 those enemies Of the common.
wealth, who, by treaChery and fraud,
seek to und9mine our popular system.
"I.et tho minister Of justice arise, and,
clothed with tho panoply OF authority,
let him drive these men from the iomplc.
Let the buyers and sellers OF votes be de-
clared Infamous; for thoy are trading In
our American blrthright. Lot them be
cast from tho pale OF American citizen
ship and DO treated rs outlaws"
That Is n grand sentiment, and tho
Cardinal follows 1t by another, which
reminds us Of It's having been paralleled
IN this city by Chief Justice Zane when
"Liberalp tool named Allen, was
on trial before his honor for having re.
sorted to trickery in order 10 gain an
election Tor his party. Here II is:
! uI "a, nnt thinif th, puuishu,put 10, 40