Year: 1866

We notice with much regret, evident
and increasing symptoms ofthe threaten
ed return Of that old chronic malady Of
party rule and corruption that had so
long afflicted the diseased body polite Of
our State which we had hoped the severe
chastisemcnt Of the late war had utterly
rooted out and destroyed. We very much
fear the old order of things is soon to be
revived. Already the political cauldrpn
is beginning to bubble from the increasing
fires Of party strife that are being stirred
by the scheming, intriguing demagouges
who are plotting for the rich spoils ofpo-
litical power and plunder. We already
hear of plots and counterplots, secret in
trigues, corrupt bargains and log-rolling
schemes, to barter certain offices for the
benefit Of certain persons, in exchange


for certain other offices for the benefit Of
certain other persons and all for the pur-
pose of building up the private fortunes
and future political prospects of those
same old politicians who well nigh ruin.
cd the State before the war, and now, like
hungry buzzards hovering in greedy an
tcipation over the yet living frame Of
some old faithful horse, worn out by long
service, which the inhuman charity of
man has turned out to grass, are whetting
their teeth to prey upon the carcas Of our
poor old State, whom they have ridden
and spurred and bled almost to the very.
death.


What a shameful spectacle All for
plumber, pelf and self-nothing tor the
people, nothing for the public interest!
We hear nothing of earnest efforts on the
part of these old politicians to anchor
ate the condition of the people They
patronize no schemes looking to the de-
velopment ofour rich and varied resourc-
es; they organize no associations to en-
courage and foster immigration they use
no effects, cxpend none of their wonder
ful talents and amazing enterprise, to or
ganize mining or manufacturing compan-
les; to build railroads, establish banks,
or inaugurate the thousand and one 9th.
er pnblic enterprises from which the peo-
pic ~ould derive material benefit and real
advantage. Nothing of the kind! SO
that the Speakership is secured for this
one, the Senatorship for that one and the
public printing tor tine other one, they
are satisfed-these jealous guardians OF
the public veal think that they have done
all that is required Of them, while the
real living, vital, substantial interest Of
the "dear people" are matters Of about
as much concern to them as the domestic
affairs of the people of Patagonia 3i


Now we think we. understand the sen,
timent and feelings Of the people Of Ar.
kansas, in this, that they are heartily tir.
ed ofall those old politicians, and earnest
ly desire to getrid of them THAT they do
not wish to see old party issues, names
or even associations, revived; and that
any effort on their part to circumvent
the people in this respect will meet their
most emphatic denunciation.u 81 ed


The people, with commendable good
have elected an able Legisla-
ture. 1t will be composed OF the best
matcrial Of the State and IL they prove
faithless to the sacred trusts committed to
their keeping, and betray the interests of
the people into the hands ofcorrupt pol.
iticians, then indeed will we despair of the
future Of our State, until the entire char
acter ofour people is changed by the in.
PRODUCTION ofa new and better population.


But We have much faith, not only in
the ability, but in the wisdom and patriot
ism the incoming Legislature. We be.
lieve they will faithfully represent the
real wishes and true interests of their
constituents, the people,; that they will
quietly lay all the old politicians on the
shelf--elect men to office solely with q
view to their fitness $, Il tis


If these few simple maxims Of obvious.
ly good policy are faithfully practised.
much real good can, and will be, accom-
plished by the next Legislature. But il
those maxims are ignored, and party cor
ruption be allowed 70 influence their leg.
islation, then were it better for us that
millstones were hanged about our nccks
and we cast into the depths of the SEAL