Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1841-01-23
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI.
ESQ. 81

people were competent 10 choose all State officers.
This proposition,in the main, am willing and folly
prepared to admit under ordinary circumstances.
+ Bat there may arise eunlingenc,e= which might
render II wholly txpedent To change the genera
mode of election. For an example, wa. take the
Office Of Chancellor, which all must admit IS one of
the greatest magnitude and importance, tn the peo-
pie collectively. Well suppose that there be Two or
more candidates for that Office, and that they reside
IN Adams county, how is 1t possible that the people
Of North MsslssppI should be capable Of disn-
gushing justly between their respective merits and
vote accordingly II often happens that the person
least calculated TO discharge the functions Of an Of
flee like that OF Chancellor, is possessed of easier
address, and consequently will always succeed over
hts competitor though he may be far better aud have
greater csms for the Office Or,as il always is now
they become the nominee of party aud justice Of
ten is rendered subsercnl 10 the darkest intrigues
oi laeton. VIII be told that in pursuing the pres.
ent mode Of eecting State officers, that The people
sc. their choice when theioticer is elected or tn
talent of superior order IL rewarded Or IS not
that demagOgue has a better chance than the mod
est and retiring. The same rule applies 10 our Trea
snrer, Auditor and Circuit Judges and il the priy-
Iege OF the people TO elect the circuit Judges is not
all abuse Of power, then must confess that do not
al all understand It's meaning II prostitutes, civil
and religious liberty to Evorlism it's contrary
TO The best feelings Of our nature to suppose that
Judge enshrued by the sacred obligations of his
Office should forget those TO whom he is indebted
for his situation Aud imagine that there are few
who would dispute with me that despotsm of Ia |
voTtism is not more relentless in It's prosecutions
than tyranny under its proper name have been |
induced TO suppose that the curlamen OF the priv.
legs Of the elective franchise, could be no suborna
Ilon oil freedom. The sage Of Monticello with the |
mantle olcqua laws flowing from his shoulders once |
remarked that an elective monarchy was no the |
government we fought for" This declaration should
be well pondered by US at he present day. The i'm
p"rtant truth, aud warning tone ofthat short SEN
'ence should cause those 10 pause IN their wild ca
reer Of universal freedom, who have but little idea
except by name Of its real meaning Patrick Henry
commended that we should have certain restrictions
ehgraled INTO the Constitution of the General Gov
warn US OF The shoals OF any usurpalon Of privileges
which 1t would not be good for any community thai,
II should ENJOY Bat in our own Constitution, il
would appear as fAll wholesome restriction. have
been dsregaFded. The people as mass, those
interested IN decisions are allowed IL choose thoae
who SIT upon their own trials. five were posses
sed a Roman virtue--had we the Courage Of Bru-
-t NltN. s1ttt.a
laws we would be subject to run inloerror. WAI
= '0'' '''at inc people oil this country have more
s"'"e' Mo'e talent. more irnneSs than any other
U tney have mol let me point to "a belle France" IA
oeplorabe instance Of the icentinnsness or ,be
people having prevailed upon their better teehngs
oo1 70 her VINE clad hills, ncr smiling valhes. her
covering forests, her stately palaces The streets n
e' principal cities all filed with busy tradesmep
ler o"om'ng daughters, and the fowning le ,en,. c
y ner nails OF justice, all, ALL Frustrated IN sngl.
'ay ny Tue heice spIri, Of the people The anna.
'" monarch headIe@ trunk and bis bean,,l,l t,
queen consumed IN pit ofhme. need n,t he an p
'"e'eu mat we are more enlightened. mor. ann,
~ " nave any more virtue than they For zoe are 81
'"s "'"a"' DO not anticipate time like Inn, ia
e'e''ed 10 ever ~ our own land. Ban sueb cr;yy III
nS"' come and then we would see too ate the a r.
" e'''"s'"S our magistrates BY The people II !.
'a'Se notion entertained by many that ber,v coo IN
'S'S III 50 many privileges that opinion howayer h.
'0"'" DC correct were 1t not that those privileges Y
'e so subject To abasc. 1t should be The end Of ~
good Governments 10 promote mol only the nol. lis
~ prosperity Of It's subjects, but also to add hann,. no
ess 10 Their social relations. This can only be dane 81
removing The common cause OF contention fI,m 20
nong them. Sterling worth il all I'm, sh,,lJ b.
nc" 'n'o consideration IN choosing the ministers OF pu
S''e''' o''S IS scarcely ever done. When party ef
SNeS q nomination they always do 50 with a view ~
success, and rarely Never is The best qualified m,
'ec'ed Tor the Office The one who can p,ck nm tn,
raooe' The one who best understands drinkinc
largest dram at a grocery will usually sue coed
"' uio"e Oh election tiIt IS admitted, that these M
uses have their effect is most pernicous, Ii,
! "'sh' pursue this subject much further blu, mt
OBJECT Is no. 10 discuss, but 10 call attention "a
ITS magnitude. must however confess ,ha,
OPINIONS are much prejudiced on this matter sS
ave bean induced to suppose that the Repub. ho
an principles OF the people are fast degsnsra. III
& may be deemed un enthusiast, or an am. W
sFed politician my only reply to such nsinua- an
ns'woud be to point mournlully to the predic. n,
ms OF Washington Jefferson and Henry. II on
N am supposed 10 be an enthusiast, an asp;. tee
H. OF demagogue, can only then conclude NV NV
y VIC have degenerated more Than had sun. mt
sed. VINnpx Go
lht
NE"sfErERs.-M u. DE ToeuEvItL in his "Demo " ",
ICY OF America" makes use Of the following FIR. n,
Ie expression IN reference to the Importance of AM
wspapers. " "r'
newspaper can drop the same though, into P'Il