The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-02-19
For the Pioneer

For the Pioneer.
Mr.. EDIToR.- The following is taken from
an Eaatern publication, and is worth all the
time it costs to read it. By ygiving it an inser-
tion in your valuable paper you will confer
favor ans SUBSCRIBER.
Upper Sandusky, O., Feb. Is. lS47.
POLITICS.
The study Of politics is the study OF man
kind. 1t includes also the science of leglsle-
ton, and no man can be perfect politician
who is not one by profession.- every man
NAV acquaint himself with the theory of the
government under which he lives, and with
the machinery used by politicians to keep the
wheels of government in motion, We fire.
quently hear men exclaim, as if they glorled
in their ignorance--.We do not NEEDLE with
politics, and we know nothing about it,
This is equivalent to acknowledging that they
neglect their own concerns, and are Ignorant
of the most important knowledge for the citi-
zens Of free country. One may refuse to be
partisan, and may neglect to acquaint him
self with the minute political gossip of the
times, without neglecting his duty to his coun-
try, and to his own interest as free citizen.
But he who neglects the study Of politics in
the proper sense Of the term, is one who neg
lects to acquaint himself with the laws and
constitution Of his country, and the policy by
which its affairs should be regulated for the
promotion Of the national welfare He neg
lects the most important duty that devolves
upon him as one Of the sovereign people.
There are many of these individuals who
will answer, that politics is the business for
i,politicans, and law for lawyers; and for pri-
yate citizens to dabble in them, is like inter-
fering with our neighbor's concerns. Sup
pose all our citizens were to take the same
ground, and leave the work of elections ex-
Gclusively to politicians, and the work OF leg
islation exclusively to lawyers, how long, in
that case, would the people remain their
sovereignty! Here, in this country, politics
is every mans proper business. knowledge
Of. political economy and of the prominent
measures of government should be familiar
to every citizen; and just in proportion to the
number of our citizens who are Ignorant OF
this important knowledge, is the country un-
provided with check against the encroach-
ments of ambitious politicians upon the lib
critics of the people. To boast of ones ig-
norance of politics, is as foolish and ridIcu-
lous as to boast of ones ignorance Of the
common branches of English education. A
knowledge of reading, writing, and arthme-
tic, is not more necessary for ene's success IN
the transaction of the common business OF
life, than knowledge of politics for the
preservation Of the freedom we already pos
sess. It is true, that a large majority are
ignorant of this important knowledge, and to
this circumstance may be attributed those
continual abuses of power which are practlsed
with impunity by various politicians.
Were all the people fully enlightened upon
this subject of which SO many foolish mer
boast their ignorance, instead OF retregradlng
in the march of political freedom, the whole
nation would be united in fastening the con-
summation. Politicians would be thwarted In
all their attempts to encrosch upon the rights
rof the people, if the people had an elementary
knowledge of the principles of law and the
. acts of government. If one is Ignorant o.
politics. let him confess it fairly, and with the
wish to be instructed; but let him not boast o.
ibis ignorance and glory in his shame. Al
well might one boast of being slave, as te
boast Of that ignorance which,, if it were gen
eral, must inevitably lead to slavery.
The Missionary who Died in Africa.
came to the place where the white pilgrim
lay,
And pensivly stood by the tomb;
When in low whisper, heard something
say,
How sweetly sleep here alone.
The tempest may howl, and the loud thundsrs
roar,
? And gathering storms may arise;
Yet calm o'er my feelings at rest is my soul,
The tears Ger all wiped from mine eyes,
The cause of my master propelled me from
home,
/ bid my companion farewell;
I left my poor children who now for me mourn,
In far distant region to dwell.
] wondered an exile, stranger below,
To publish salvation abroad;
The trump of the Gospel endeavored to blow,
Inviting poor sinners to God.
And when among strangers and far from my
home,
With no kindred or relative near;
I met the contagon and sunk in the tomb,
My spirit to mansions above.
Go tell my companion and children most dear,
e Al.