Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-08-08

anu = assure eAAO
columns ofyour paper, that # eiected'
| / will endeavor to serve them faithfully
to the best of my ability.
THOMAS CHRISTIAN.
Columbus, August Sd, 1887.
The present may truly be regarded
as the most critical period in the hlsto-
ry of our Republic.
The principles on which our elee.
tons are conducted, and our National
Government is administered, all ind
cate the downward tendency OF oar
republican institutions, and the near
approach of the lowest stage Of PolEl-
cal degeneracy. The virtue and intel
ligence of the people which constitute
the only pillars capable of supporting
the fabric of our independence, seem
fast retreating before the food Of pO-
ltical corruption which is now rolling
IFS broad waves over the land. 1t Is
not our wish or intention to raise
false alarm; nor would we be under
stood as distrusti ng the ability of a vir-
tuOus and intelligent people to govern
themselves as such we still regard the
American people. But hoW long they
will continue to merit.the expectations,
we leave it for the future to decide.
Does not the history of our country
whose former pages are adorned by all
that is great and glorious in human a.
chievements, while some Of the latter
are disgraced by all that is grovelling
and base in human depravity, bear tes-
timony that we have already SO far de-
parted from the virtue of our revolu-
tionary fathers as to incur the charge
FLEEING the degenerate sons of worthy
sires? While pompously boasting Of
their liberty and free government,
have we not seen majority Ofthe peO-
pie Of this country, in blind devotion to
party, patiently submit to oppression
from a popular tyrant, far more griev-
Gus than those which caused the sever
ance Of our infant colonies from the
mother country? Notwithstanding the
many and discouraging indications Of a
retrogade movement, still the anxiety
of the patriot is not a little lessened
by the consideration that the present
deplorable state of things is not so much
the result of destitutiOn of virtue in
the people, as Of the want of a more
general diffusion of intelligence. That
people have D ,g9r led If majority iieE:il Y Of the
to political guides, arises more from the
want of proper information than the
want of virtue, is evident from the fact
that among reading and thinking com
munities, and where facilities of infor-
nation are greatest, there we find en-
Hghtened sentiments to prevail, and the
greatest opposition TO that misfule and
political corruption which are so pa
tiently enduredby the unthinking and
less informed. Being convinced that
our influence is limited to a narrow
sphere, we feel that we shall have done
our duty, if we exert what little we
possess by endeavoring to effect the
political regeneration Of our own State
Thong h ours is the republican and vir
tuous motto of principles, not men,
still as personi6cation of principles il
essential to the success of a practica
application of them, it is highly import
ant that the person selected should b.
man Of principle, Of firmness g. integ
rlty. The most important office in thu
E state, and one which is soon to be va
Gated, is that of Governor. Much de
t ponds upon judicious choice of a suit
able person to fill this responsible sta
ton.
In the present crisis of affairs. WE
should have a person at the helm of on,
}. political bark, who Will not desert hisDosI
IN the hour of danger; nor quail when
the storm lowers or the tempest RACES.
: he should keep his eye steadily on the
destined port, regardless of political
breezes, with all their tempting invita-.
tons to veer his course. He should
not only possess the qualifications re-
quisite for the Office, but he should be =
man whose established reputation and
wen earned popularity would prove ef.
nclent means in collecting and concen-
tratlng the republican strength Of the
state In view ofthese considerations
we are decided in the opinion that he
present incumbent is the most s,lit.
able person that can be selected
lie has discharged his public dnt;es
IN manner sufficiently indicative of
the ability Of an able statesman and
ms unbending integrity and mntir;no,
zeal to promote the best interest 4, n. fhe
State, entitle his claims uDon the n -.
pie to a higher consideration Than t5osa
which can be presented ~ aDv other che,
Individual. His course II reIs,;on r'- -
the rev counties, which. dnr;no ~
temporary excitement t prnTS1ce.S
rendered him an object Of cebs., T,as sv.,5 ~
many, has, after Z dispassionals rev;s =,
o. the subject, met the apDroi sat;on i - !.