That disposition was bitterly intense at this period.

"Turn the rascals out" was the ordinary campaign slogan of an opposition party, and calumny formed the staple of its argument.

Of course no party could establish exclusive proprietorship to such tactics, and whichever party might be in power in a particular locality was cast for the villain's part in the political drama.

But as changes of party control took place, experience taught that the only practical result was to introduce new players into the same old game.

Such experience spread among the people a despairing feeling that American politics were hopelessly depraved, and at the same time it gave them a deep yearning for some strong deliverer.