Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-10

what we nave long tu0keu l0Ts ae the As
result Of that feeling which has been gradually
gaining ground with d portion Of the American
people, and which has been miscalled demo-
cracy. While conscionsth that q large minority
ofthe, socalled, democratic party Of the United
States shrink with horror from a proposition
to resist, by force Of arms, the constitutional
Authorities Of their country we have felt sat-
isfied, that there is small band who are wiling
to resort to any means, however lawless, Of
furthering their own selfish en6 and Of agrar-
dsing themselves by the sacrifice Of all that's
held dear and sacred by others. This, tools
that class of men most dangerous to govern
ment representing the wishes of the people;
for there are no means to which they will not
resort to gainpopuIar favor
| Here have our worst fears been realized; for
we have one, Who is held out by the democrat
ic papers Of Mississippi as one Of the true faith
and as leader among the faithful, openly de-
claring his determination to resist the laws Of
the land, and indirectly calling upon his follow
ers to do thesame. We find the public jour.
mails of the day re-publshing his sentiments
approving them; and labouring to inculcate
them into the minds Of the people. Truly
, have we fallen upon evil days, when doctrines
such as these are put forth and the people turn
not away In pity and disgust from those wh'
? utter them. How long win they bear in pa
tience with those, who thus council them t
their own ruin. How often, o! Israel, has
/ thy sins been forgiven thee; yet thou repen
5 lest not, in sackcloth and in ashes.
We ask the people to consider well VIVA
these doctrines are to lead to, if they are no
frowned down by them. No republican gov
eminent has ever fallen by single blow. M
0 law loving people has ever been brought, by
D single step, to disregard all law, and all civi
| government. 1t is only by degrees and b!
5 means of such as this, that a wise and justpeo
pie have ever been seduced from the ways 0
+; wisdom, and the paths of justice. Thus is il
!. that the political demagogue, if not IN time de
4 tected and exposed, gradually works out hi
E nefarious ends. BY the lowest and most ser
. vile adulation, he insinuates himself into tn
+; confidence of the people. He utters his doc
: trines, at first, cautiously; by degrees, NOR
e boldly. That which was in the beginnin!
: passed unheeded by. at length takes hold CT
: the mind of some individual he poisons ano
o Their; and thus, passion working upon passion
they slowly spread from man to man, until
e whole community is infected by them. Thei
+ triumph, is the signal for the downfall of al
!, law and civil liberty. 1t vas by means sue
# as these, that Nicias was banished from hi
a country; Socrates gwen up to death an
:, the liberties oftheir country forever destroyed
o Once already has America escaped the treach
}. cry of a political Epialtes. Let her listen i
Q patience TO doctrines like these, and anothe
!, and another shall arise and give them utter
ance until, at length, the pass shall be betrayed
il the enemy shall enter; and then shall be de
II stroyed the last home of freedom. Few,
: any, of those, who, influenced by the party o
II the prejudice of the hour, are now inbibn
e these doctrines, dream of the end to which the
; must lead but so sure as there is sun in th
) armament or life beyond the grave, the
e are gradually preparing the minds Of the Amel
is lean people TO acknowledge the sway of som
e usurping demagogue, who has courage enoug
'e to risk the Consequences, and cunning eHoug
? to DEVISE the means of making them the wi
: ling slaves of their own unbrdled passions.