Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-06
National PAIitics.


! blown over, and We begin to breathe more Sc
rene atmosphere, we turn to contemplate the po-
litical aspect of the Country at large. We see on
all sides the greatest prosperity and happiness pre-
yailing; We see everywhere the elements of pro-
gress, and progress itself, and nowhere the slight
est sign of decadence. We have become the won
der of the world, as nation, and, all things con-
sdered, we are, in fact, the first nation on the
globe
As nation, it must no longer be said of us
that we are, as yet, but an experiment, for we
have tried 1t long enough to know, that our theory
| of government works perfectly well, better even
than any government in theory that has ever been
devised before; better even than any of centuries
standing of the old world not excepting even that
| of England. We therefore no longer an ex-
pertinent Our political theory is probably as near
perfection any thing Of the kind that the human
mind can devise; much more perfect than human
| ity ITSELF under its developments thus far
The great work now before us is, not SO much
to seek to improve political theory, as to en-
deavor to live up TO it, and to preserve it. The
great theory developed in the Declaration of In
dependence and in the Constitution needs only to
be carried out to secure to US the greatest amount
Of prosperity and happiness; and the great ques-
ton of the day is, how we best carry it out :?
This question has given rise to the two great
political parties that exist in our country the
|
the great principles OF the Constitution can be
preserved and best carried out only by strict ad-
herence to its letter, and the spirit in which it was
framed. They contend for a strict construction of
it, and that If once begin to depart from this
rule there would be no stopping. For the precise
meaning of certain disputed passages they appeal
to the records left of the proceedings and decisions
of those wise fathers of the Republic who framed
the Constitution.
On the other hand, the whg party pursue the
opposite course. They contend for the broadest
construction of the Constitution, making single
clause serve as basis for the assumption of pow
ers and the performance Of acts which might, un-
der certain circumstances, completely change the
real character of our Government, leaving to it
only its name.
The tendencies of the doctrines Of the Whig
party are manfestly towards state Of things that
can never exist under pure democratic republican
government. Those tendencies point to the con-
centraton of wealth and power in the hands of the
few, while the great mass are sunk into the deep
est poverty and dependence. 1t is true that such
state of things could result in short space of
time but the lapse of century or two could bring
II about. Those who know the history of the
world cannot be too watchful of the tendencies of
political doctrines and if they err they had bet
ter on the side of honest democracy for gen
tryism and aristocracy the of the world.
Such, then, are the characteristics of the two
great parties of our country-the Democratic and
the Wing. Let those just entering into that period
9f ePet etdK5m f when Pgf A s ifs a han 81 T t@o
great political systems. Study the Constitution,
and the political views and acts of those great and
good men from whom We have inherited our pres
ent happy government and institutions. Try to
discover the intent and meaning of the Consttu-
ton. If you persuade yourselves that the broad
construction system is the right one-that the
Constitution can be made to almost anything,
then you are Wings. If, on the other hand, you
find that the Constitution is not loose indefinite
document but that it admits of only one construe
ton, and that that construction was intended to
guard the rights of the States of the people against
the dangers that might arise from latitudinarian-
ism in constituting its articles, then you are Demo
crqts
Democratic principles call for the largest liberty
of the largest number--for the greatest possible
diffusion of knowledge and property--for perfect
equality of rights, an exemption from all monopo
les and from all laws that enable class to es-
tablish a monopoly of any thing They call, too,
in that spirit which mpelled our fathers to estab
ish this free government for the widest possible
deyeopement and extension of republican prinei
pies and institutons-for the annexation to this
Union of every nation earth that applies for ad
mission, and is found worthy and well qualified.
True democracy scouts that narrow contractedness
of SOUL that miserable selfshness of ariStocracy,
that would shut out from the enjoyment of cur
privileges and institutions all other nations. 1t
opens It's arms to all, and invites them to come
" o. Courier.
Gg- w. H. H. Patterson, our newly elected
Sheriff, seems to enjoy something of a national
reputation We cut the following from that ex-
cellent paper, the n. O. Daily Delta.
LowNDEs CoUNTY, MIssIssIPPI.-We are pleased
to note the election of w H. H. Patterson to the
sherifalty of Lowndes county, Mississippi, by an
overwhelming majority. He was gallant officer
in the first Mississippi Rifles, and greatly distin-
guished himself in the Mexican war An old col
lege friend and gallant companion in arms, nei-
thero whom are exactly on his political side, eel
ebrated his election with bumper.