Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-04-18
From the Grand Gulf Wing.
THE DISORGANIZ[NG SPIRIT.

For ten years past, or since the election of
General Andrew Jackson to the highest office
in the world, a spirit of disorganzation, let
loose by that event, has been seeking what of
our republican institutions, habits and feelings
it might devour. 1t has brooded over the land,
a fearful pestence, sweeping cherished princi-
Piles, and patriotic men to the dust; nor has it
yet folded its black and ponderous wings in sa-
liety. 1t still prowls among Us, and, if not
checked by the speedy elevation of better and
wiser men, than now sit in them, to the high
places of the government, no one can tell when
its ravages will stop, or how much that is dear
to US, as the blood-bought bequcstts of our ia
theirs may be whelmed in sad irredeemabe ru.
in.
Well may the patriot philosopher pause up,
on the events of ten years, for he sees much
that may justly lead him to fear that the PEG.
pie, the mass are incapable OF self-govcrnment.
The dearest hopes Of his life may have been
to see free government firmly built up, its Of
hce inaccessible to fraud or ungovernabe am
blion, its people ever contented, prosperous
and happy. Prior to the last administration,
such an observer might, in quiet security, have
smiled with benignant delight upon the success
| full schemes OF the Fathers Of the nation, for
he behed that nation alike the envy and won.
der of the world. Not only at home were its
benefits known, and the influence of rational
liberty felt. Other nations had come in con
tact with rs, and felt the electric fame of free
dom tinging in their veins. Not only could
the quiet American beake hmsclfto the shade
of his own vine and fg-tree, conscious of his
thigh blrth-right, butn other lands, the witnes
SEES Of the complete success Of the tolls and ira
walls, we had undergone for liberty, had them
selves begun TO discuss the divine right o.
} kings, and moot the question whether one was
born TO command and all others TO obey. The
} youngest nation Of the world was exercising
greater influence and giving greater impetus tc
the minds oimen, than the whole world beside
Well then might the patriot rejoice, and the
, philosopher calmly smile at the fortunate re
IsuIt Of fierce but righteous strife.
u But he is awakened from the reverie inspired
by the scene before him, to see it sadly, greatly
changed. He beholds nation once united and
prosperous, filled with distrust and alarm, its
commerce paralysed, its people loudly com.
planning. Yet he sees no trained bands OF
warlike men, no armed ships repeling ruth.
less, triumphant invader. With surprise that
cannot be described, he beholds the trusted ru.
Ter of the nation, hurting irebrands into the
holy temple OF the constitution, with inhamed
passions, trampling on the laws, and heapng
contumely, reproaches, bitter curses, upon those
who would mildly demonstrate or boldly re-
buke him. for his mad and ruinous acts. He
trembles, for he sees the spirit Of disorganiza-
ton broodng on tho very topmost peak Of the
farest monument to liberty ever reared by hui
man hand.
Shall he turn away in vain, and lament the
heeting dream, that conjured up, in his bosom
the fondest expectations, the brightest hopes OF
the ultimate redemption of the whole earth
from slavish adhesion to ancient, WORKOUT
kingcraftf Must il be proved that the old he
roes have fought, the old sages thought in vain.
We can safely respond no. Yet, shall he see
ia free people daring to DO free, the sons spurn