Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-13
THE PROGRESS OF TYRANNY.

THE PROGRESS OF TYRANNY.
If we were called upon to state what would
most essentially weaken and destroy republican
form of government, we should recommend the
DESTROYER TO commence with unsettllng oil the
great principles upon which that government was
founded, and as in so doing there would be
much clamor. We should advise him to support
himself and his measures as much as possible by
surrounding himself with men interested IN MS
own tyranny.
IF there was a Senate that operated as check,
we should advise him to get rid OF as much OF
this influence as possible. As there are TWO
ways OF doing this, one by open force, ana the
other by insidious misconstruct'on OF the con
stitution, we should advise him to take the lat
ter course, because then the clamor could not De
40 effectuai as If the force were visible. For
example. under our form Of government he might
efectually assume all control of the patronage
of the government by creating vacancies at his
pleasure aud filling them only with his own par
tisans Thus he would do two things at once: the
first, uulifying the Senate; the second, making
il the interest Of the nominees to support this
notification
If Congress as a BODY controlled his influence,
in some instances DULLES might be procured to
assault the most obnoxious and independent
members. Thus, through fear OF bodily lnJu.
nv, their liberty Of speech would be restrained
But if this did not sufficiently operate,
and Congress persisted in passing acts not
agreeable, these acts might be avoided 10 two
waxs-. ths Observation-Disclosures auo the second,
By the silent veto, when the majority was two
thirds or over. Thus no acts could become laws
without the SIC colo and the SEC jubeo.
The Judiciary often stands 10 the way of I'M
| lawful power-and therefore the Judiciary must
weakened There are many ways of getting rid
of this branch of the government. One is by
open force, by driving the Judges from the bench
es. which. however. would make 50 much uproar
that il ought not to be attempted only In extreme
cases. Corrunt judges can be put upon the
bench, but as no vacancy may happen, this is but
transient resort The better way is to procure
partlzan presses to assai the Judges-to talk of
the tremendous power of only seven men-tO
speak of Jeffries, SC. &c. but as all this may
not do. the Executive may refuse to execute such
Of the decisions as he pleases,-and as decisions
will often be obnoxious to powerful parties, the
Judges can thus be rendered contemptible by the
feebleness of their position
Again, the Press should be looked to. 1t is a
most important engine IN republican govern
ment New presses should be established on
purpose to support the man, to say nothing OF the
principle Some of them should be under bond
to sustain just such man in every thing -
Things, if possible. should be so arranged, that
the people should move in one mass upon one
point. Thiswas the great secret of Napoeon's
victores,-and political victories are to be won
almost always On the same principle. Hence al
ways insist upon regular nominations, for the
mass are thus made TO yield to the few, and the
mass can thus be welded upon one point No
matter what the man. no matter what the means.
insist upon .'the usages." for the usages become
as precedents. and when once fixed, they become
as law, the law Of custom. the most powerful Of
all law. BY so doing. teW men can control
many men. The actiue few can command the
inactive many. Power will thus be taken from
the multitude and concentrated, aud when thus
concentrated, it can be easily corrupted; for it
costs but little to corrupt lew, whereas II would
cost much to corrupt all
During the progress of these things, it is we'll
to unsettle all that is settled, and to keep things
in a perpetual tn rmoil. for thus as things
change, and disorders thicken, ii is difficult for
the public long to fasten it's attention upon one
act. The moment under officers will not yield
all to the chief, prescribe them. Thus others
will be taught the necessity OF obedience, and
obstinate, uneasy men will be got rid Of. The
French commenced their revolution as 'architects
Of ruin, as unsettlers Of all that seemed settled
in politics, or in morals, and ended in military
despotism-thus holding forth an example to all
imitators.
Undoubtedly all these proceedings will raise
great ciamor, -but the Office holders will sup.
port the causer oft, for their bread depends
doing. These officers, it is easily seen, must be
an immense army in a country stretching through
manv degrees Of latitude, and their influence
will be greater than their numbers-for money,
when the Treasury is seized BY the Executive,
will be added to personal pover. But many
of these eamors will be avoided by strong pro- :