Of Dirt Of All Kinds It Behoves Washington And Those Concerned In
Washington To Make Themselves Free.
It is the Augean stables
through which some American Hercules must turn a purifying river
before the American people can justly boast either of their capital
or of their government.
As to the material mud, enough has been
said. The presence of the army perhaps caused it, and the excessive
quantity of rain which had fallen may also be taken as a fair plea.
But what excuse shall we find for that other dirt? It also had been
caused by the presence of the army, and by that long-continued down-
pouring of contracts which had fallen like Danae's golden shower
into the laps of those who understood how to avail themselves of
such heavenly waters. The leaders of the rebellion are hated in the
North. The names of Jefferson Davis, of Cobb, Toombs, and Floyd are
mentioned with execration by the very children. This has sprung
from a true and noble feeling; from a patriotic love of national
greatness and a hatred of those who, for small party purposes, have
been willing to lessen the name of the United States. I have
reverenced the feeling even when I have not shared it. But, in
addition to this, the names of those also should be execrated who
have robbed their country when pretending to serve it; who have
taken its wages in the days of its great struggle, and at the same
time have filched from its coffers; who have undertaken the task of
steering the ship through the storm in order that their hands might
be deep in the meal-tub and the bread-basket, and that they might
stuff their own sacks with the ship's provisions.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 265 of 531
Words from 70990 to 71284
of 142339
