Ponola [sic] weekly register., 1843-07-29
poNoLA poNoLA COUNTY MISSISSIPPI SATURDAY JULY 20

| and want.
1t is fact, that the greotest OF Brit
aims statesmen owe their Importance TO
| the democratic features Of her constitu-
tlon--their origin proceeding ia almost
every instance from obscurity and pow
erty. Doubtless still greater merit
would have adorned her councils had it
not been for the Influence of her con.
serYatism, making rank rather than
worth, the test of promotion. Democra-
cy dispels these infuences--rank and
wealth fly from her presence. Egualj-
~ is the fond nursing OF her hopes
Though political opinions mey be The
l,feztsofhs Choice, riches, and titaes are
not; and generally she chooses those Of
the most merit embraced in her fayorite
politics; and those that are embraced
constitute the aOhoEe people.
Where political institutions open the
avenues of distinction to all, is it not
more probable that they will secure wise
rulers, than where the choice is confined
to the narrow range of a particular
class? And where the management of
those institutions can only be reached by
industry and selfeducation, is it not
more probable that wisdom will distin-
guish that management, than where the
artificial circumstances Of wealth and
rank are standards of qualification?
Besides: Democracy is not incompati-
ble with slight conservative restraints.
1t is true she is jealous Of conservatism,
bet in no instance does that jealousy de-
generate into absolute adherence, where
conservatism is founded upon her prin-
ciples. >.
The American federal, and the State
constitutions have many conservative
features which secure all conservative
advantage without their attendant evils.
The Federal Senate is a conservative
feature, for its election proceeds from
State Legislatures, not from the people
in their individuality. The federal ju,
dietary is conservative, for IFS members
are almost wholly independent Of the
people both in tenure and term of Office
The veto power Of the federal, and some
: OF the STATE Executives. is eminently
conservative. If wisdom and. stability
of law, are the particular attributes oil
conservativism, will not conservative
principles scattered amcng American
democratic Institutions secure these
advantages? Although Senators are
chosen on party, principles, still. the
predominant party oi the State Legisla-
lures is apt TO choose the, aojseSt OF its
partizans. This isnecessary 10 sustain
the credit Of the party, and advance its
measures. This is noIn.ere speculation.
but it is speculation embodied in reali-
ty. It iswell attested by disinterested
testimony that the United States Senate
is now, and ever since its existence has
been the. assembly OF as much, if noI
more political wisdom and worth as any
other deliberative body in the world. 1
is true there are few brilliant instan
ces of eminent abilities in conservative
councils, but the mass Of their members
: will not sustain comparison with the Sen
ate, ana many other American Legisla
tive assemblies. And will not the prin.
ciple that governs many of the States
Judiciary, and the federative Judiciary
particularly, insure as much judicial il
dependence, ability, end integrity as The
systems of pure conservatism? Ane
will not the veto power secure, if not al
great stability Of law as conservatism
yet as great as nature and reason woulC
! demand. lfa party becomes triumph
ant, and eIevates its partizan to the dig
nifty of federatiye Executive, admitting
that he be faithful to the principles o.
his party, no after revolution of public
, sentiment can change that party's meas
ures at least for four years. The inter
position of the Executive veto will 70
that period preyenta all repeal, ali altera
ton.
But conservatists will cry, you ar
stealing my principles; You are. appro
: priating to the use of Democracy virtue