The Rise and Fall of the United States; A Leaf from History, a Volume 2060

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V One of the greatest evils of the United States existing prior to the war, but which only attained its monstrous proportions afterward, was the bestowal of practically all the positions and offices under the government to mere politicians as a reward for their equivocal services in the campaign. It was an indirect form of bribery, placing a premium on misrepresentation, fraud and every form of pernicious activity which debased the electoral franchise. The cynical utterance of General Jackson, the groat Democratic leader and president before the war, that "to the victor belongs the spoils," and the ut terance even more cynical of a certain Senator Ingalls, one of the most prominent leaders of the llepublican party fifty years later, that" purity in politics was an iridescent dream " together denote the principle or lack of principle which actuated both parties. The government of a great nation was not regarded as the government of the smallest town, as the conduct of any form of business is, namely that the rulers or managers are trustees for the benefit of those who hold the real interest in such business or government. In the government of the United States men were not appointed to office for their ability, knowledge and integrity, but as a reward for money contributions, or questionable personal services for their party. The duties of the office were regarded as of entirely subsidiary consequence. The emoluments were the indirect form of bribery for their services. As a consequence the incumbents seized the emoluments which were allowed, and if possible those which were not allowed, and for the most part ignored or neglected the duties. The government in all its branches seemed merely a vast storehouse of wealth to be fought...