Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-04-18
ANCIENT DEmAGoGUjEs.-'ls there any thing

4 ~
\ whereof it NAV be said, see is this new! II
hath been already o! old time which was be-
| fore usa Thus spoke the wise man three years
AGO and all experience since has shown that
the thing which hath been is that which shalt
| be we are brought into this train of Teflec-
ton by glancing into the history ofsome ofthe
! turbulent days of the Athenian Democracy
deroaUooues and NOISY fItterers of the peo-
pie have been much the same in all ages of The
world.
Nor were the demagogues of the ancients
less subjects for the lash Of satire than the mo-
derns,- Aristophanes in one OF his comedians
introduces a prominent parsonage who is en-
deavoring to persuade common sausage ma
ker to change his occupation and TURN states
man. The latter character according 10 lie
Clerc, was intended as q satire upon CleOn.
This Cleon was an Alhenian tanner, but a
man Of talents, gifted with degree Of coarse
eloquence popular with the peoplo. He be-
came, however, a very troublesome orator,
and an enemy TO the best men ofthe country.
He never gave the least evidence Of sincerity
or of love Of country, yet by affecting zeal for
the peoples welfare that was false, and living
at open variance with the Senate and better
classes. he made himself person OF impOr-
lance.
AS already mentioned, Aristophanes intro
duceS SauEdBe-HdheIS WuOHi q SAtlCidh Is
endeavoring to persuade to turn his attention
to matters Of State
The man, surprised at the proposal inquiries
why he should laugh at poor fellow who mad
never employed his thoughts or his time IN
any thing but making sansages'
To which the other replies.
tBebold all these ranks Of people; you shaH
be great leader and chiefamong them. You
shall tread upon the Senate and tic up the
hands of our generals.
who, 2 says the sausage maker.
yes you shall do it. Get upon this table
where you make your buildings, and look
about you. Do you see in that scene the Gus
tom house and all those ships that are laden
there with merchandise!
See them! We . said the sausage maker
What thenP
sWhv all those things shall be sold by you.
The oracle says You shall be a very great
mon"
slow should that be. for Heavens sake!'
cried the fellow. How should be, q great
man, that am but pudding shaseFl'
Because said he. you are bold and wick
ed
sBut think myself unworthy Of greatness
said the sausage. maker.
what does that signifyp answered the 9TH
DO you think yourself good or a bad
man?'
NAV, for that matter, am bad enough
j wish you Joy, replied the other, you win
find yourselfeo much The better qualified when
Won come to do business; for eur common
wealth has nothing now TO do with men Of
learning and probity, but is wholly governed
by the Ignorant the impure, the immortal
But how, inquired the sausage maker, It Is
impossible that should goFern the peOple!'
with all the ease in the world, answered
The other, DO only W at you arc used to do
mir. tumble disturb, and confotiild az aiters
feiqn and iavont anything 10 please and delube
the rabbIc. You have false tonguelahd mis-
chevious understanding, you have an tho quail
tics that our republic wants at this time and
all that are necessary to make you great
man.
Thus the reader will perceive that The trade
of the demagogue is a very old one. mo man
says Socrates, without having studied bis pro-
fession. makes shoes; and men DO NOT measure
the earth without some acquaintance with
geometry but il is nowIn the United states
as il was in Athens ofnld, 'allof I'd ielaar
competence, without either theory % pfnctce.
to the management Of great state.
". Y. Com. Ado