There is already danger that the operations
of the Tweeds and Goulds in New York may be repeated on a
more gigantic scale at the National capital. The mighty railroads
to whom our public domain has been so lavishly granted, in
some cases I doubt not, wisely, afford infinite opportunity
for plunder and corruption. All these are at the cost of
the labor of the country. The increased tax falls in the
end on the consumer. With the waste of our public land are
diminished the resources of the laborer. Following bad precedents
Congress has itself been induced to set the pernicious example
of which you have heard so much discussion. (This referred
to the measure known as the Salary Grab.) The author of the
measure tells you that he knew what he was doing, and if you
didn't like it you could vote against him. Are you quite
ready to declare to the country that in this great contest
with extravagance and corruption, wherever the Republicans
of the rest of the country may array themselves, the Republicans
of Massachusetts fight under the banner of General Butler?
"You are doubtless familiar with Victor Hugo's description
of the marine monster said to be found in the vicinity of
the Channel islands, and known as the Devil Fish.
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