Washington Standard

Turbulent Elements.

In the Intelligencer of the 6th instant appears a communication from 'Freeman (so-called)' in which a strong argument is made favoring State government from the practice which has prevailed the past twenty years of quartering upon us officeholders, alien and strange to our social customs, using these offices to reward party services and our Territory as an asylum for disabled politicians.

As intimated, it is difficult to see just where the blow is going to fall, when condemning what now seems so abhorrent. 'Freeman' professes great friendship for Gov. Ferry, but when he makes the assertion that 'A Governor was sent to us from the foreign State of New Jersey to supersede an old resident whose re-appointment was humbly petitioned for by a large majority of the representative men of both parties,' he goes a step too far for the credulity of even those who have been accustomed to gulp down everything labeled with the party name and prescribed by the regular nurses.

Gov. Ferry came to the Territory with a Federal office in his pocket. He came to fill that office solely, and until he was relieved by Gov. Newell, he had continually occupied a fat stall at the public crib. It had not been satisfactorily determined that he would become a citizen from choice, and as he has never shown a disposition to acquire real estate, he has been regarded more in the light of a political adventurer than an 'old resident.' The petitions, which 'Freeman' says were signed by a majority of representative men of both parties, were secured by organized, persistent effort, and embraced but a small proportion of the population of the Territory. They could only be made to express the preference of the people, by assuming that 'representative men' are like the big pumpkins at an agricultural fair which take the ribbon though largely outnumbered by smaller squashes. The idea advanced, in the few lines quoted from the nameless correspondent, that Gov. Ferry was the choice of the people, is not substantiated by facts. What has he done to have made him such a favorite? Discharged his duties faithfully? What more is this than the Government and the people had a right to expect, and what he was liberally paid for doing?

The same writer, in alluding to Mr. Webster's removal, says that, 'no apology is offered him for this wanton insult and indignity.' Merciful heavens! has it come to such a pass that the people must not only 'humbly petition' to keep a demagogue in office a fourth term, but that when an officer who has feathered his nest is displaced, the Government must get upon its knees and apologize for the indignity it obliges him to suffer in stepping down and out? O Freeman! you belie your name. Sycophant would be a nom de plume more in keeping with your nature, if it is faithfully portrayed by your letter.

The same paper of the 10th instant contains a reply to 'Freeman,' signed 'Esop,' who is evidently a faithful if not a wise ally of the Collector. He endeavors to compliment Mr. Bash by stating what he is not, and appears innocently oblivious of the fact that every word cuts like a stiletto some of the most prominent of his party associates. 'It is true,' he says, 'Collector Bash does not spend his time in running over the country blabbing of our resources and informing us of our wonderful climate and great natural advantages, of our magnificent and grand scenery, and the great love he has for our people; but, as an offset for this neglect, I am informed, he will not use or permit to be used the patronage of his office to control primaries, dictate nominations for office, however high or low, or to build up one man in business at the expense of another, or to establish social distinctions among us, based upon 'toadyism' alone.' These four boomshells, which fall so near past and present Executives, are none the less effective because fired from a masked battery and without apparent range.

This is but the beginning of a strife which must end in a disruption of the party in this Territory. The elements are too antagonistic to be reconciled. The people will be taught that all which has been said about the worthlessness of the little clique of officials who have ruled the affairs of the Territory in the past, is true. Republican rule has gradually degenerated before the eyes of the people, until scarcely a vestige of it remains. So gradually has this been accomplished, that no formal protest has been made; but how wide the difference between the policy of the Democratic party in the Territories and that which now obtains. Twenty years ago, the people elected the Territorial officers through their representatives in the Assembly. Now the Governor, who owes his term of office to the general Government appoints; then the Legislature enacted laws in their sovereign capacity as lawmakers, now the Governor has a voice equal, nominally, to one third of the members of both houses, and practically to a majority; then we had annual sessions of the Assembly, now they are biennial; then the Government paid the full expenses of the Legislature, now a large proportion is paid out of the pockets of the people; then some of our old citizens were appointed to, and retained in office, now our Territory is a veritable poor-house for broken-down politicians. These are but few of the changes inaugurated by the party which is now engaged in destroying itself. May the good work go on, and verify the adage, 'When rogues fall out honest men get their dues.'