Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-11
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
Democracy and Demagoguisa.
FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST n, is4a.

MIR. %. \. BrownSon, who long has been, and is
now, bright particular star in the GALAXY OF the
New England Democracy, is discourSing i'm the
Democratic Review the origin and ground OF
Government. He formerly had some interest in
that periodical and in dsposing of it, reserved 10
himself the privilege of occupying n certain mum.
her ofpages in each publication. In the exercise
OF this privilege. in the las, number he administers
very and very just cas,igation to the dema.
gogucs OF The day. An extract is appended.
II is gratifying 10 a man of MIR. Brownson's
intelligence speaking with 81 much freedom. and
condcmning with 81 much severity the tendencies
OF the doctrines ofhis own political associates. We
say his political associates: for ii there be one trait
more marked than another i'm the Locofoco parry
it is their ncvcr-ccasing and unwcaried dcma-
goguism. Their love OF office is great; hut their
demagogliism, which springs from that love. is
greater than it, Tfc leaders OF that party never
dare utter an unpaatablc truth To the people
The people is their God-whom they worship with
n devotion truly admirable. The dear people
''ihc sovereign people -"the inlalliblc people" is
ever on their lips. Whatever the dear people do
is right-rhey the wiscSt, the best, the great
es;-\o amount oifaticry Is considered too great
To he lavished upon this dear idol. Ifany sim
g!rd out by the demagogues for special alteration
they are always the mos; ignorant and dcpraved OF
the rabble, whose intelligence NAV be circumven-
ted by a falsehood, or whose votes may be purchas
I'd hy drink of whiskey.
Demagoguism is the hanc Free Government
and it is the evil TO which, OF all others it is most
exposed. In monarchy, the King, if weak. vain
and vicious, may, and generally does, become the
~
not less accessible to laticry than an individual ;
and particularly that portion referred TO above and
which is always selected by the Demagogues to
play off their arts upon. Men, stepped in ignor.
ance, or besotted with whiskcv, or debased by
crime, when complimentcd BY a fine broad-cloth
and rufile -shrtcd Democrat, upon their many vir-
tues-their extraordinary intelligence, their sh-
ming PATRIOTISM and their pre-emincnt fitness, not
only to govern themselves but TO make laws for
others;--are readily led captive. The misfortune
is, that there are never wanting unprinciplcd men
-actuated solely by Seishness and ambition
prompt take advantage of this class of their com
trymen. Instead of striving to inform them and
to elevate their moral and intellectual condition.
they labor 10 intiame their passions. and excite
their preIudces in order to them for their own
mercenary ends.
The government best administered is best"
tits a matter comparatively unimportant what form
/ OF government exists while the great body of the
people are intelligent and are animated by the true
spirit of liberty. Such people could popularsc
the most absolute government on earth, and make
1t >,Ihscrvient TO ha freedom of mankind. Ii i, moi
possible that such people could he swayed by de
magogucs;-ncither is it possible that Il govern
ment could be otherwise than coTrUpUy srumius
tered 10y demagogues-who have 10 practice hypoc
riSy, regeneration and fraud to obtain power an,
must continue to resort TO the same means TO re
I tain it,