Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-10-30
TILE CRISIS.

1
The following article, from the Boston Dali
| ly Advertiser, commends itself to the sober
consideration Of every citizen who loves his
country, and desires the perpetuation of its
political and social institutions -
THE Transition FROM ANARCHY TO DEs-
PoTIsM.-The attempt is making, and has
partially succeeded, to array the physical
strength of the country against the majority
Of the substantial citizens, and the orderly
and peaceful members Of the community
IThe object we are sorry to say, is more easi-
ly effected than could be wished or credited.
"A well trained veteran army Of a couple Of
hundred thousand men, is often sufficient to
make a conquest ofa Kingdom, containing 10
or IL millions Of inhabitants. If it were not
resisted by another army, one-tenth of that
number of armed men, mightsubjugate con-
itinent The British with about 10000 Eu-
lropeans 81 10000 native troops, hold one hun
dred and ten millions of souls, in IIindostan,
in subsection. The Tory policy, at present.
in those parts of the country where it is ap-
picable, is founded on the same principle
A comparatively small well organized, and
mercenary principally of alens---is
employed to control the approach to the polls,
to intimidate and oyerawe the aged, the in
firm, and peaceful. and to make the exercise
of the elective franchise, even for those who
are able, by courage and force, to make their
way through the mob, laborous, dangerous,
and disgusting.
What is the result of this state ofthings?-
Is it in an increase of power in the Peoples
hands ? Nothing farther from the truth
The people are not mob "a mob is not the
n1n l, ,I,aJa
ed community, including within its bosom the
old and the young,-the strong and the weak,
the resolutc and the tinid The first effect,
therefore, Of this system of violence, is to de-
prve one full Of moiety Of the people of their
dearest rights. In every ten men, there will
be not more than one bully; but if this one
man stations himself in the public places, to
brow beat, insult, and assault those who pass
by, three or four, out of the ten, will put them
selves to some inconvenience, to keep out of
his way. Just as sturdy, peaceful peasant.
ry allow a hostile army to march without re-
sistance through the country.
Thus the first effect Of mob law at the polls
is to drive away good part Of the citizens
entitled to vote. The Anarchists consequent
ly carry the day. What comes next? Some
body must rule, even in band Of robbers
The Anarchists choose committee of safe
ty, and of this committee, some Robcspierre
is chairman. Power got by violence must be
kept by terror. improvement, confscation
and the guilotin succeed. The people are
dismayed, sickened, exhausted ;-and the first
bold and ambitious soldier drives out the anar-
chists and terrorists, and founds what he calls
his dynasty.
How long does this process take? The
French Constitution, in the main well con-
trived, for monarchical Government, was a
lopted in 1871. Bonaparte was made first
Consul, in 1900. Nine years suficed the
French to pass from the possession of Con-
sttution, theoretically good, to an absolutely
military despotism. The means were a,urchY
md terror. Bonaparte was a conqueror; but
ne did not, like Cesar, march his lcgions on
.he capital. There was very trifing exhi-
'ition ofmlitary force on the 1S Brumaire.-.
But it was the mobs and the reign of terror,
which made popular government odious in
France. They will make it so wherever
hey are introduced. The transition from the
'lub to the sceptre, is prompt and easy.