Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-12-04


patty: Not because arr party is defeated,
and the antagonist party Is victorious! For
none of these causes do we feel that de.
preston of spirit which the Psalmisl, in.
spred by God himself, 50 rouchingly yet
so simply describes! Were il an ordinary
contest of contending factions, such as
every Free Government which ever exist
ed, or ever can exist, is necessarily expo
sed to, we should not regard the result
either way, or any way as OF lasting and
momentous consequence. Whether the
President be A. b. or C. or whether his
officers, those through whose agency the
machinery Of Government is carried on,
lie Of this opinion on the day, or that, is
really and practically of small conse-
quence Nor is it 50 indispensable, how
ever expedIent Tor the pecunlary interests
of the People, that the sound Wing doc
rnes of Political Economy and interna-
tionA Policy for which the Wings contend,
should be instantly enforced! This coun-
try always produces bread andmeat enough
for the consumption Of its people, aud
there is no fear of starvation here! We
cen, therefore, wait awhile for wise GO
vcrnmental policy, without the fear OF Ia
mire before the eyes Of the people!
Is it then asked why we do feel so me-
Iancholy a depression at the result OF the
late great struggle? We answer frankly
and promptly it is at the popular spirit
which the contest has revealed; it is be.
cause majority, or claimed majority,
of the American people have manifested
so irrecOncilabIe hatred to the man who
has hest deserved of them, next TO Wash
ington undoubtedly, in real and substantial
service: 1t is because Henry Clay has
been voted against, not for his opinions
not for his prncip les-but because he rdS
Henry Clay, the first in service, the first
in renOwn! 1t is because our countrymen,
in their verdict, have clearly and unequl.
yocally exhibited that base and unworthy
envy Of excelIence-lhat disposition TO
pull down what is better than themselves,
and to put up what is interlor-the spirit
of that Alhenian who voted TO Danish Aris-
tides because he was not on v called but
,raS the iust-whch has been the destruc
ton Of all Republics! Henry Clay has
been defeated, NOT because he was not
worthy to lead his countrymen, for no man
even pfetends that he has an eQual-but
because he was Henry Clay, and the first
in service TO his country, as the first in a
celebrity which extends to every climate
Of the civilized world
This is the point Of view which will
present itself to the Informed mind, in
structed by the past experience Of the
world as the most important and the most
fatal. The enjoyment of power for four
years, in Il nations age. is Of the least
consequence: 1t is the inc ,pacity to Judge
aud TO act wisely: 1t is the hatred Of pre-
eminent merit: it is the preference for
congenal itlIencss and ignohlIity: Il is
the spirit to pail dorm instead OF the spi-
Ri Of eIevatng superior merit, which t.
the mind acquainted with the transactions
Of past Republics, is not merely hrlolul
for its meanncss, but fearful for lis omen.
1t is the raven which croaks disappointment
to the fond hopes Of the Republican. who
wishes FOR liberty TO unil erSal mankind
and to the christian and phiIanthropst, who
are prone to Halter themselves that the
world gets better and advances in perfcc.
Utility, as 1t advances in age.
For ourselves, we can see no difference
at all in the popua: and vulgar envy of il.
ustrious merit which has rejected Henry
Cluy, and which refused statue TO the
younger Cato. The events are at the dis
! ni art ltt
precisely the same moral, tell the same
criminal tale against poor human nature,
and announce tho same fate to Republics
Mr.. Clay has been cast out, because he
was the great st and best deserving, and
Mr.. Polk has been elected because to elect
him mortified 10 mans selfloye!
WHTGGISM AND DEMOCRACY.
The whjg rests for support On material
Interests: democracy'on morality and mind. .
The whig respects men with their posses
sions: democracy chershes naked human
ity. The whig idJIizes established abu.
SEES, and pleads prescription: democracy is
the party of hope and reform. The whig |
kindIes with zeal in the defence of sepa-
rate Interests: democracy demands equal +
rights. The whig claims the privilege Of
his s,vereign: democracy asserts the So
vereignry of the people. The whig re-
gard liberty as fortunate privilege, or as
covenanted acknowledgements: democracy
holds liberty as a natural and inaIienabIe
right. The whig builds his strong 60
vernment on force: democracy trusts in
the diffusion OF intelligence, and the pow
or of opinion. The wing lulils his con-
tracts, and knows no oblIcation to do more;