The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-11-09
BOUGHT AT AUCTION.
THE VAN ALIEN APPOINTMENT A
NATIONAL DISGRACE.
isy Contribution OF $4,000 to the Cam
paign Fund the Most Worthless Mortal
May Obtain the Highest Preferment-
The Veto Power.
4 Republic OH the Block.

| Senator ont of his horse but the Amer
lean President has made an Ambassa-
dor out of an ass The fact that Van
Allen has been sent to represent this
country in Italy might be forgiven,
though the beneficiary is an ignorant
lude whose chief delight is to bemean
his country. What cannot be forgiven
is the fact that he bought his place.
If by contributing $4,000 to cam
paiSn fund the most worthless of NOR
tails may obtain the highest prefer
ment. we have certainly reached that
ripeness of corruption which forctends
the utter collapse of republican liber-
ties. The stage which it took the
Roman Republic hundreds of years to
reach, We have arrived at in 2 little
over century. The period between
Brutus and Jugurtha measures n vast
distance. Only 10y slow gradations
and the il.idious inroads of corruption
nd the free state of ancient days
change to a hateful desrotism. When
the rulers learned to love money bet
Ter than country it was easy for Il
Brennns to swap them gold for free
lom.
The gap between Washington and
Cleveland is not large is measured by
The lapse OF years. 1t little exceed, Il
century which. in the lifetime of Il
country. is but Il mere span. But in
| that short period we have embraced
Ill the Wees and virtues that usually
scatter themselves over much vaster
spaces of time We have seen the
sublime seif-ahncgltion of Washing
ton, refusing = throne though more
! than thrice protfered We have en-
loyed the fruitful philosophy of Jetf'er-
son in exercise of both theoretical and
! constructive craftsmanship. We have
had the profound wisdom OF Madison.
the homely truths of Franklin. the
| brilliant if mistaken schemes of Hamil
ton, the vlrilc strength of Jackson.
| There came also the golden age. the
AugHstan splenlor of the Lincoln
period, the elimination OF Il struggle
devoted to the emancipation of man.
Swift has been the decline. Less
| than two score Years from the zenith
of American glory we are called on to
| contemplate the nalir of national deg
| radiation. Cleveland appoints Allen.
The Senate. forgetfnl of its self-respect
! as we'll us its duty. confirms him Note
! HE CHASTITY significance of this occur
! rence.
\ nation put up at auction to the
| highest bidder! He gave $50, 600 to
the cause, writes eN-Secretarv Whit
nev, at a time when friends were few
| and contributions scarce. | do not ask
his appointment but think he deserves
it. SO thought Cleveland and so
thinks every politician debauched and
degraded by the infamous maxim, Ito
the victor belongs the spoils." The
deed is done. that foul deed which,
like the bloodstained hands of the
guilty Macbeth, all the waters of the
ocean can never wash out 4 high
place Of the republic is donated in sole
return for filthy lncre. There is no
attempt to excuse it. Not the slight
est effort is made to apologize. He
paid his money and he gets his place.
That which heretofore went only to
ability, to worth. to service in the pub
lie employ now goes to mean up
start those chief aspiration is to imi-
ate monarchy, whose principal idea is
to dine. This country is not tit for
ladies' and gentlemen to 1--we ill.," says
Van Allen, the applicant This coun-
try wants YOU to represent it, SAYS
Cleveland, the appointer You gave
100000 to put me in the presidency: |
give vou the Roman mission as Il com
pensation.
Exit Franklin. enter Van Allen
Exit national pride. enter snobbery
Exit civil service Reform enter tie
spolls system. Good-hve honesty.
come to me intrigue. Farewell merit.
lets substitute greed. All hail i'm
hecilitv and welcome to the apotheosis
If dudeism run mad. Il. Grover
Cleveland. have SAID it. and TO him
that serves me most faithfully much
shall he given. TO Voorhees,. who
only sells himself. l give much office
TO Van Allen. who sells both self and
country. | give much more Enter
then. oh. sellouts. INTO the kingdom
that is prepared for YOU. Noncon-
forIulst
The constitution. very wisely we
think, gives the President OF the