Year: 1866




party manfests disposition to heed the old
adage. No party wri,hing in the pains Of
defeat ever manifested sach greed for spos
as seems 10 dictate the legislation both of ,he
National Congress aud our State Legislature.
We are hardly permitted TO doubt that many
Of the leaders of the Union party are eor~
rupt men. We do not by any means sup.
pose that there are no corrupt men in the
opposition party, by whatever name it may
be called; nor do we believe any party which
should acquire such complete control OF the
public mind as the Union party has posses.
sed. would preserve lis integrity, The con.
dition of political affairs during the last five
years has been favorable TO the elevation to
Office Of the worst men in the community.
The Union party has been SO strong that the
worst possible nominees have been secure Of
an election. nominating convention did
not have to take into consideration a candi'
dates reputation for integrity. 1t could
elect him without any reputation and in spite
of all opposition. The considerations which
have influenced Conventions have been of
different character. The first great question
was in regard to bis teaty to party. Would
he stick by that organization through thick
and thin? Would be surrender his invdua-
ity, his private opinion himself and his vote
at the dctation Of his party leaders, Would
he initiate the convenience Of vision which
enabled Polonius to see what Hamlet pictur
ed in the clouds9 Such were the tests that
were applied by the political managers, the
fruit Of whose intrigues is cropping out so
bountifully. The organization Of the old
Democratic party in its palmiest days was
not SO despotc and arbitrary as the Union
organization Of the past four years. From


the principles Of the Democratic party man


might dissent and still he a patrios--a mis-.


taken but well meaning lover Of his country.


The Union party has allowed no such Iati-
tude of opinion. 1t has marched its mem
bers from one issue to another, compelling
them to take each in turn without qualfica.
ton or hesitation. The result Of this discip-
line is that the men Of the party remain in
private life, while the plant tools of cliques
have been raised TO places Of trust and pro.
fit. In the length and breadth Of the land.
there is not Statesman that possesses to
any considerable degree the confidence Of the
people. With here and there bright ex-
ception, the politicians who have controlled
the course Of the Government during the
past few years, have become rich from their
political connection. l: is safe to assert that
one thousand millions Of dollars Of the debt
we now owe, was accumulated for the bene.
fit OF the army of buzzing politicians, who,
during the war, beseged every avenue to the
White House. An aristocracy more gaudy
and shameless than that which surrounds
the dssolute throne of France has arisen
on the spoils thus wruug from the people
while they we're engaged in struggle for
national existence. The grasp Of these men
relaxes unwIlingly. Their day Of sunshine
is passing away. II the last few hours of
their official existence is not made as produce
tive as any others, the fault will not be theirs
Our National and State Legislatures are,
flooded with bills for the benefit of indvidu.
ais, and which are pushed forward in advance
Of useful legislation by lavish use Of mo-
ney. Fortunately check is placed upon
Congress by the power vested in the Presis
dent, who. by chance little less than mir.
acls, ie showing himself an honest man.
Whether our State will be saved in like man.
ner remains at present writing to be seen.