The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-20
NEGLECT OF POLITICAL DUTIES.

DE- TocaugyILLE the dsiin q uished author Of I" De-
mocracy in America, speaks in the following passage
from that interesting and thoughtful work. OF the dan
gers TO be appiehended in popular government from
asglset by de people Of their political duties. Al
though ardenty attached TO their governmental insh
tutions and ready TO defend them 10 the last gasp
when manies,y endangered by violence from with
out hsgrant usurpation and corruption within,
did not escape that accurate observer that the ruling
passion Of the American peopledeslre Of wealth, and
pursul Of the substantial and apparent objects OF
practical utny-powelfully tends TO withdraw their
attention ffsm the vital interests OF their government
The lust reproach 10 which, as people, we are
thus liable, from the indifference with which we too
often view the inesmabe political privileges we en-
10Y, should arouse TO the exercise Of the duties
growing out Of those privegesto sense of what 10
due to ourselves and TO the American character. Is
Il not true that the all-imporant privilege Of select
ing our rulers is lch frequently, to those who have
the least at stake in the community, either of property
or those social and moral interests valuable s
Too little Of the personal attention and persona iDhu
Of those largely interested in political results
ordinarily given TO this important matter and the
whole burden of exerton and expense either thrown
upon patriotic individuals feeling deeper though less
selfish interest in the common veal or the choice eH
of necessity to the irresponsible and reckless When
by the inevitable operation Of cause ana enec. ns
government is found to have fallen into dishonest and
incompetent hands, THEN, indeed the latent energies
Of the intelligent and substantial portions Of the CON-
mun,y are aroused to Tectify the error Butts Il wise
thus leopard by neglect, tneec essenuai interests
Shall we not rather by timely exertion NOW, secure
the permanence Of hvse principles hold to be true
and fundamental TO the prosperity of the country
Let every Wing give heed to the admonitions of dan
ger and discharge his duty, that whatever be the
issue he cannot repIoach himself with the discreda-
BILE fact that his and his example wanting TO
sustain the cause he holds dear.
The impartial and discriminating opinions express
ed in the extract below, deserve the attention we be-
speak for them:
"There is, indeed most dangerous passage in the
history Of a democratic people. When the taste Tor
physical qualification among such people has grown
more rapidly than their education and experience OF
free institutions the time will come, when men are
carried away and lose all self restraint at the sight Of
the new possessions they about TO lay hold upon.
In their intense and exclusive desire TO make for
tune they lose sight Of the close connection which ex
lists between the privase fortune Of each Of them and
the prosperity of ALL II is not necessary TO do vIo
lence to such people, in order TO strip them of the
rights they enjoy they, themselves willingly loosen
their hold The discharge of political duties appears
10 them to be troublesome annoyance, which diver,s
them from their occupation and business. If they be
required elect representatives to support the Gov
eminent by personal service, TO meet on public BUSH
ness they have no tme-they cannot waste their pre-
cious time in such useless engagements; such idle
amusements are unsuted TO serious men who are en-
gagged with the important interests OF life These
people think they following the principle Of self
interest but the idea they entertain Of that principle
is very rude one and the better to look after what
they call their business they neglect their chief, which
Il n in oun ma Ter "