11/05/2024
Willam Watson, a Scotsman living in Baton Rouge at the time of the Civil War, and therefore a subject of Britain, in his post-war memoir "Life in the Confederate Army" wrote the following about politics in pre-war America:
" .... In all of these proceedings the real or actual public had little or no hand or cognizance whatever, until the names appeared in the newspapers, and then they had the glorious privilege of voting for the candidate of which party they preferred.
It must not be for a moment supposed that this corrupt system arose and existed through the ignorance of the masses, or from their lack of interest or indifference. They were a quick, intelligent people, took great interest in politics, seldom neglect to vote at elections, were constant readers of the newspapers, and were often quite alive to the unworthiness of the candidate which they had to vote for. But they were so infatuated with their own national system, which they considered to be superior to anything else in the world, that they could not entertain the idea of any fault or defect, direct or indirect. When this state of things was clearly shown them they would allow there was something wrong, but this they regarded as the fault of the hour, not of the system, which must and would be put all right by and bye, by the people taking the matter into their own hands and putting down these rascals who were controlling nominations and elections, and corrupting politics and legislation. While this impracticable remedy was advocated by every one it was carried out by no one. What was everybody's business was nobody's business, and no one took the initiative. At the same time, what was everybody's property was nobody's property and became the prey of the vilest scum.
Meanwhile none were louder in denouncing this political corruption than the very candidates who had been nominated through its agency. They had now taken the stump in full voice. The candidates of each party against their respective opponents nightly declaimed from platforms in the open air, each avowing themselves to be the representatives of no clique, caucus, or faction, but that of the people -- the actual and genuine people, the working, producing class, the back bone and sinew of the nation. They promised, if elected, great reforms, by putting down these hole-and-corner cliques and caucuses that usurped the name of the people. They would put legislation more directly into the hands of the people, and purify the ballot box. This latter phrase had at that time been remembered from earliest recollection by the oldest inhabitant as a parrot cry at elections, and I presume continues down to the present day without much affecting the purity of the box.
.... And so matters went on. People who had work or business to attend to did not interest themselves much in corruption in politics. It did not directly affect them. They felt taxation but little. The country was rich, and teeming with resources, and there was plenty for everybody. The people were fond of politics -- liked to talk of them. "Corruption" gave them something to talk about. Elections were an amusement; they liked to attend them, and to talk of the chances of the respective candidates, of the number of votes they would get. But on them, odds or even, two, three, or five to one on so and so, just as a man would talk about or bet on a cock-fight or horse-race.
The people were proud of their government - their political system - laws and institutions which they maintained to be the best in the world, and believed this none might gainsay.
..... But still, looking at the matter in the theoretical light which sets forth that the nation is ruled by the voice and choice of the people, it does seem ludicrous when you come to look at how the matter is carried out in practice.
As all this is more observable to an outside, I may give as illustration the substance of a sort of bantering conversation which once took place in my hearing.
Two Scotchmen, both employed or connected with an engineering establishment, whom we shall call Mr. B. and Mr. W. B. had recently became naturalized, and had thus become a citizen of the United States. W. had not been naturalized, and was an alien.
The early breakfast was over, and it was the time of going to work for the day when the following conversation took place: --
W. - So you are not going down to the works to-day, B.?
B. - (Jocularly) No, sir; I am to-day going to exercise that great and glorious privilege, the birthright of every American citizen. You see, W., if you had taken my advice and got naturalized like me, you might to-day have been exercising the same privilege.
W. - Some men will be thrown idle and lose their day, and the work will be kept back by your not being there.
B. - Can't help that, duties as a citizen must be attended to.
W. - So much for citizenship. The election to-day is for a town constable for one year, the emoluments about five hundred dollars, while the expense and loss caused by the election to you and me and others will amount to four times that sum.
B. - That is very true, but then it is the principle that I look to.
W. - Principle forsooth! You have in what you call your great privilege to-day your choice to vote for one of two men, N. or C.; do you think either of those men is a fit and proper man to fill the office, or would be your choice?
B. - Certainly not, I allow that neither of these men is a fit or proper man for the office.
W. - Further, do you think if you was to search the town and country through you could find two bigger rascals?
B. - That may be, but they are the nominees of the party.
W. - Why were they nominated? Who nominated them?
B. - Oh, that I don't know. The party nominated them. It is the fault of those who so nominated them, but that don't affect the principle.
W. - Why did you not object to their nomination, or had you a voice at all in the nomination?
B. - I never knew when or how they were nominated. I see what you are driving at. That is an evil, no doubt, but it is the fault of the people that don't attend better to these things.
W. - Then why is it never attended to? I suppose you are satisfied to be between the devil and the deep sea so long as you have the glorious privilege of choosing which you would prefer, but you must vote for the one or the other.
B. - Oh no, don't go so far as that. I don't need to vote for either unless I like.
W. - Well, be thankful for that alternative, it is certainly the best of the three, so I think you should consult your own interest and those of your fellow-workmen and go down to the works, and not be a party to putting either of such men into office, but let them fight dog, fight devil at the election.
B. - Well, to tell you the truth, I would much rather go to work and have nothing to do with it, but I promised H.C. that I would vote for C., and I do not like to break my word.
W. - No, you were bored night and day until you promised, and of course you would get into the black books with your party if you kept away. So much for your liberties and glorious privileges. I thank my stars I am not a citizen."
Life in the Confederate Army, by William Watson; p. 52-55
