Cortland Contrarian: EDITOR'S TABLE

McGrawville Express, Thursday, September 7, 1848.

EDITOR’S TABLE.

Politics.

The political waters are still in agitation. As the time approaches at which the great battle FOR OFFICE is to be fought, the political sharks are gnashing upon each other in a most threatening manner; causing the troubled deep to cast up mire, and earth continually. Cass wants the presidency, and is ready to plunge to the lowest depths of the political mudpuddle to secure it—Van Buren is just as eager—and would, we verily believe, fall down and lick the very dust to obtain the office—Taylor, not a whit behind these worthies in his aspirations, would throw himself fusus humi to gain it. For our own part, we would as soon bestow our suffrage upon a fugitive from the State Prison as upon either of these worthies. Would to Heaven the American people understood their interest better than to support such men for office—we say such men—we consider them all on a footing in regard to honesty, if not in respect to talent.

We are aware, that to the worshipers of these candidates respectively, our language will be regarded as almost sacrilegious—but this we cannot help. Accustomed from our boyhood to think and to act for ourself, we must have the privilege now, let the consequences be what they may.—Entertaining no desire for promotion, believing that political movements are, and long have been controlled by heartless scramblers for office—-rather than by the honest and worthy portion of our citizens, we cannot but despise the corruption and baseness which attend the operations of all office-seekers, and give our voice against them.

We have heard the yarns from the organs of the several parties, respecting the virtues, the piety, the magnanimity of the candidates—and, if we were to read but "one side," and receive the comments of a particular organ as gospel truth—we might be led to believe that Lewis Cass was a philanthropist, Zachary Taylor a saint, or Martin Van Buren an angel!

The day may come when we may abjure our neutrality—but this cannot be till honest men are put in nomination, with some prospect of rallying around them an honest party to effect an honest purpose.

As the present struggle among office-seekers increases in virulence, it may be proper to continue to give to the readers of the Express occasional paragraphs from our political exchanges, leaving them to bestow their own comments. This rubbish will generally be collected under the head of "Political," because trash has long been designated thus—it is the custom of the country. Br. Haight's glowing description of the Cortland meeting must stand first in the column—courtesy to our neighbors always.

The Barnburning—Sore-Headed—Abolition Millerite Convention.

This motley gathering came off on Thursday, Aug. 31, in this village. We did not attend this meeting of the sore-heads—but we have been favored by a friend who was present with the following account of the proceedings, who says he was much amused with the variety of men and things, and their objects, as he ever was with any other menagerie he ever attended.

"At this gathering were to be seen men of every political hue and caste that has existed since the year seventy-six to the present time. Renegades from every political party, from every Christian church—and those who still disgrace the church—outcasts from every social or charitable society—such as the Odd Fellows, Rechabites, Sons of Temperance, etc.

Green-eyed Federalists—disappointed bolting democrats—Fiery hot anti-Masons, worn out abolitionists, ring-streaked, speckled and grey were to be seen attending this Martin Van Buren, John Adams, Free Soil, Sore-headed Convention. In short, the putrid carcasses and worn out hacks from every kindred and tongue and people under heaven, except the gentiles, here made their appearance.

Let no one suppose that this gathering was so very numerous, for most of those whose faces were familiar to us, had at times belonged to nearly every political party and had changed as often as every sixth moon during their political life, and of course come under the head of nearly every character above described.

The objects of these men, although somewhat various, were less so than their former associations. A few no doubt attended from honest motives. A few more expected to make themselves great in a small way; but the most were disappointed sore-heads who wanted Office—Office—Office—The most wonderful collection of the most wonderful men we have ever witnessed. ''Take it all in, all we ne'er shall see the like again."

These discordant materials had not been associated together a sufficient length of time to harmonize well, hence their speeches were incongruous and out of tune. Each in turn fell back upon his former resources and made a speech, not to suit and change with his new condition, but with some one of his old ones. But each one having his favorite object in view, it made very little difference what kind of speeches were made.

The Rev. S. H. Ward was called upon for a speech, who promptly responded to the call, and made some eloquent and pithy remarks, not much to the taste of the sore-heads.

After passing a few childish resolutions and choosing some of their number to attend some where, at some time, (we don't exactly recollect where or when, neither is it a matter of any consequence,) this non-adhesive mass fell all to pieces like a rope of sand, never again lo be united.

Now in view of these things we ask democrats whether they are prepared to follow after such strange gods, and do the bidding of designing men?

The leaders in this work are governed by selfishness, and will prove false to you. Beware of the voice of the charmer though he charm ever so wisely.—Cortland Democrat.

For the Express.

AUBURN, Sept. 1st, 1848.

Mr. Editor:

Permit me, through the Express, to acknowledge the receipt, in cash, a bequest, and pledges from reliable sources, of two thousand one hundred and eighteen dollars, during the short time I labored in the city of Albany. This is truly great liberality on the part of those who are so remote from our institution.

When we consider the fact, that this amount has been obtained at a time when many of the most wealthy and liberal citizens have been absent on tours to the Springs, and other places of summer resort, I doubt not that another visit in Oct. will result in the securing of a like sum in behalf of Free Central College. This institution, from the character of its plan, meets with general approval.

S. H. POTTER, Agent.