The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-13
A Modern Utopin I'm South Carolina.


The reveries of Plato and Sir THOMAS
MORE on the subject of political and social reno
walton are familiar to all who have paid any atten-
ton to the philosophical tendencies and specu-
lations Of bygone ages; and there are few in
the community who have not at one time OF
another CLEANED notions in reference TO the
theories and schemes that have emanated from
the brains of more modern dreamers. One day
ST.. SIMON and FOURIER PROFOUND imaginative
expositions of mans nature and destiny; at an
other OWEN steps forward to convert the world
into a paradise Of paraeograms; and he again
gives place to the boder plans of Socialists of the
PRoUDHoN schools. Differing in details, and in
their modes Infringing abouta change, these great
lurnlnaries are agreed at least upon one import
AMI point, and that is, that all existing govern
ments are radically wrong, and that it is the ca
siest thing in the world to reconstruct them,
from their foundations upwards. According to
them, the old idea that the machinery of the
government of nation is essentially compli-
Gated is absurd, and it would be as easy TO
build up an entirely new social fabric as to change
the management of family's affairs. Men
have but to resolve, and the thing is done.
Studies of this nature are usually supposed
to be confined to class who spend their days
and nights in garrets, pulling down old con.
situations and building up new ones, and finally
going TO their graves without leaving any sub
Stanta evidence Of their labors. They are
often amlable and benevolent, but, somehow or
other, these virtues are diffused over too wide
a space to be worth much in any particular
spot. BURKE defined universal philanthropy"
to mean small piece of butter spread over
large slice of bread; and the justice of the de
fnition is borne out by enlarged experience.
We do not know that the Charleston .lIer-
ctVy makes any pretensons to the character of
cosmopolitan, OF socialist, closet philosopher.
That it belongs to the order of dreamers has
long been apparent TO those who have scanned
its lucubrations on secession and kindred topics;
though it has uniformly avoided the error of its
fellows by limiting its philanthropic care to the
area Of South Carolina. II was not, however,
until the other day, that it ventured TO make
its debut as constitution maker, Ia RAYNAL,
and we propose to present specimen Of its
bpeculdllOnS-Hot Win any lltentlon Vi DISCUSS
ing them, but that the reader may perceive
how completely the leading organ of the Sc
cessionists is developed in the msts of higher
atmosphere.
In one particular the Mercury takes its cue
from the worthless we have named. 1t begins
by sneerng at and abusing the Constitution of
the United States as thing worth little in it.
self The Government which ordinary mortas
are apt to regard as the product of the tolls and
dangers Of the wisest and best Of our race. is
put down by the Mercury as mass Of 'sextor
tons, usurpations, and extravaganza eek
acting and corrupr-as hostile to the interests
of its subjects, and requiring TO be sustained by
an Oppressive tariff" by ga feet of coast
ers," diplomacy" and costly legions." 1t
is on account Of these monstrous grievances that
the Mercury and its disciples are resolved to
Throw off the Government of the Union,' and
set up South Carolina on her own account
Ex-Governor JOHNSON demurs to the propo-
sal, and promulgates a series Of objections,
which, to our poor judgment, seem unanswera-
bic. He hints, for instance, that secession in
wolves the necessity of having call the para
Phernalia of sovereign, independent govern