The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-02-05
"POliticS " Z"

government of n nation or state, for the preserv
alton of its safety, peace, an prosperity
The above is the definition given by DR..
Webster in his Dictionary, of the much used
word which heads our present article If it is
q correct defniton--anI we suppose there are
not many who would take upon themselves the
responsibility of contrndicting so learned a man
in this particular branch as was the doctor-we
think it would hardly lie too much to say that
we have very little politics at the present time.
That there is plenty Of party strife and conren-
tion-plen'y Of intrigue and demagogueism-
all will readily admit, Tut to find much of such
politics as our text defines, would, we think,
require the eyes Of Argus The present sys-
TEN of what is called p,litics is nothing more
or less than personal scramble for tfhce-for
a situation affording power and emoluments.
Instead of those who hold fficcs being servants
of the people who hire them-and hire them at
an enormous salary too--aHd exertng them
selves in endeavoring to preserve 4" safety,
peace, and prosperity" they have lecon.e the
masters of their employers, and, while they
occupy the high places Of the earth, they regard
who placed them there. 1t is very evident
from the course generally pursued 10y those
who hold Offices, that it is not from desire to
serve the s. dear people, that they covet the
places of responsibility and trust; but it is the
emolument- the - loaves and fishes which in
duce men to move heaven and earth to procure
a place of trust, which, once attained, is per-
verted to the basest of purposes-that ofprivate
interests and self agrnndizement. To be sure,
there are exceptions, honorable exceptions
we have n letter opinion Of ''poor human
nature" than to think that oil are Of this class
But, still, the ruling passion of politicians, as
Il class, seems to be their own pecuniary
advantage rather than the advantage Of the
whole people; and this probably is the reason
that we often meet with men of intellect, worth,
and energy, who have become SO Thoroughly dis
gusted with party chickering's and strife, its
complete rottenness, and have despaired OF
the entire insuhiciency Of the whole system OF
party politics to produce any thing like radical
reform in the giant evils which lie Ike an in
cubus Oh the shoulders Of the producing class
crushing their energies and very l.te-l lood out
Of them, that they have Withdrawn almost
altogether from the political arena, and some
even 60 so far as not only to renounce the
name of politics, but to cschew the ballot box
also.
Of course, in n government that exists with
the people it is self evident fact that such a
course Of proceeding cannot be right. The i'm
propriety, not to say criminality, of such a
course needs not to be discussed in order to
make it plain to the minds of any person who
will give it one moments thought; for it must
be perfectly obvious, if the present form of
government is to be kept up, that if good
men do not hold on to the reins Of gov.
ernment, and ut least keep check IN them
bad men will take the management of af-
fairs. And we have it from authority that
is sufficient warrant, if there had never
leen an opportunity for gaining experimental
knowledge of the truth, that - when the wicked
bear rule, the people mourn" But whether
the system of politics which has been in vogue
for few years past-that is, the disuniOn of
the people into two great parties and array;ng
them as the mechanic does his tools-merely AS
means for the accomplishment of II desired end
aud that end the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of those few
leaders regardless Of the effect it may have on
the great mass-is the one best calculated to
promote the safety, peace. and prosperity OF
the nation," or what perhaps is more definite,
though containing the same meaning, as We
understand it, the sa ETY., peace, and prosperity
Of the uhoie people. is u question which may
well attract the attention OF those who are in
timately interested in its being properly under
stood and acted on. We certainly cannot see
that it has had this effect to the full extent
Let the most liberal minded take both Of the
great political parties and submit their respect
i've doctrines to the most charitable analysis
and sec if he can tell us how the ascendency
of either will so benefit society as 10 remove
those great evils-nnd they are growing evils