The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-15


This federation in political power may either
be between distinct communities, as in our fed
eral Union, or between distinct sections Of the
same community, as hitherto in Virginia; or be-
tween classes daily commingled, as IN the an
Gent Democracies. In other words, it may be
between sections or classes.
Now it would be easy to show, that, while, in
the former, social uron and individual liberty
may permanently exist together, in the latter
they never have, and unless there be change in
human nature, they never can. But one substi-
tute for federation in snch cases has ever proved
availing; and it is that opprobrium of false
sensibility in our times, the institution OF
slavery; an institution in which the absolute
power of capital over labor is disarmed of the
temptation to tyranny by the promptings OF
selt-interest, the refined feelings of modern
civilization and the softening influences Of a
holy religion. forbear, however, to attempt
farther to illustrate this important principle.
The causes which create necessity, real or
plausible, for centralism in any one society, and
induce its progressive development, are external
or internal.
The external may exist, where there is in
relative position to other societies. an offensive
or defensive preaisposing impulse. A nation
so situated as to make conquest easy and advan-
tageous, nationally demands the consolidation
of its social power to accomplish such result
by offensive means; while one so placed as to
fall an easy prey to the rapacity its neighbors
seeks, by like consolidation Its defence and its
security.
The internal cause may exist, when the social
elements are so related as to threaten disorgani-
cation or conflict, and absolute power becomes
essential to the safety of society; or VIII n re-
sources, capable of development, or achieve
ments splendid in their attainment, tempt and
allure to glory upon the fatal pathway of cen.
tralisni.
History, with its sober teachings, exhibits
these pri cipes in operation, and as the result
of one or the other Of these causes. 1t confirms
most strangely the truth asserted by me, of the
connection between despotic and centralized
power, between individualism and liberty. II
time permitted it would be most instructive TO
trace the development of these principles, the
history Of their antagonism, and the result to
human happiness flowing from the exslusive
triumph Of one or the other. A brief notice,
for the sake of Illustration, is all that shall
attempt. ......
Among the most striking facts in the forma-
ton Of ancient commonwealth, may be men.
toned the tendency of portion of an older and
more powerful race or people to break off from
the parent State, and seek new homes by colo
nization to subject or drive out a weaker ma
ton; to preserve its unity, and maintain It's Sc
curity by crowding into city, the nucleus of the
future State; and to associate within themselves
in distinct tribes. which thus constituted, sep
arate centres of political action.
Thus you will find the little couatry Of
Greece, broken into numerous petty States, each
concentrated about its town which gave to the
State its name, and presenting so many units Of
separate and distinct power. The same was the
original condition Of the States of Italy. Each,
whatever its internal organism, whsther consoli-
date or federal in its character, free to
ternal influences. But their proximity to each
other; the feebeness of each; the ease with
which they would fall preys to the rapaciiy of
some external power, constituted circumstances
extremely favorable to close and intimate union.
Such, indeed. you will find to have been the
result, and with the result cane that consequence
Of which have spoken. Foreign invasion
united the Grecian States against a common foe
intrigue, corruption, and a spirit Of enterprise
raised Athens TO the supremacy Of the Ionic
while valor, inherent strength, and her institu.
tons placed Sparta at the head Of the Doric
league, the weakness Of exhausted com batants
gave Thebes temporary elevation and the art
power and genius of Philip, placed the throne
Of Macedon upon the crushed liberties Of the
separate States Of Greece.
The same, in brief, is the history Of Roman
power. For centuries, the free States Of Italy
resisted her ccntraizing influences One by one
they fell the rest of Europe followed; Asis
sank beneath the crushing weight Of her le
gions; and amidst the ruins OF free and indie
pendent States, centrslism safe supremacy serene
rpon the imperial throne Of the Caesars.
Now of each Of these histories, so erernall,
regarded, there is iniernal view, equally inter
esting and instructive. In every one Of these
ancient States separately considered, you vii
find the gradual absorption Of the more exclu
sive forms Of monarchy and ari.tocracy by IN,
democratic. In each of these forms, as success
siyely manifested, you will find liberty, real anC
conser alive. extinct; and only developed wher'
in the transition from the one 10 the other, mel
ther for time had the absolute ascendency, anC
n struggle between them ensued. Ole Of IN,
most instructive lessons taught in these histories
is the essential connection between all the kinds
Of centrAlism and thus, tbs three absolut,
forms exhil il themselves successfully in a oycl,
continuous and unyarying.
Thus, royalty prostrated, precedes aristocracl
triumphant; democracy brings down the naughty
looks Of the nobility, only 10 throw itself int
The arms OF the one man. IN Athens, detnOcra
cy centralized, made Peicles its IDOL In Rom,
il fell at the feet Of the hero Of Pharsalia. Tn,
period preceding the middle ages, and succeed
ing the downfall Of the Roman empire, is one il
which csntralism brooded sullenly over the sur
face Of human society But how changed tn,
scene in more modern times
Northern barbarians have been much abused
and their part In the history of free institution
has rarely been sufficiently acknowledged. The,
broke into fragments the stern centra.ism Of an
cient civilization. Hnceforth the distinction
81 nationality revived and became common
states arose, where provinces had stood, tn
humble sppendages Of imperial Rome.
Modern civilization is the history Of the nm
tagonism Of which have spoken. You will fn
individual States resisting the consolidate
which the more powerful sought TO enforc
upon them; the civil power engaged in ferc
internal contest, and struggling with the eccles
astic authority Papacy subjugatng the consc
cree Of kings, priesthood and people, 10 It's ow
centralized will, and marching on TO universe
dominion, until arrested and overthrow by tn
triumph Of indivdualism 10 the great reformatio
1 r. ~.