The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-01
OR q r IGIN AL.
ssd For the Spiritof Democracy.
LOCAL PREJUDICES.

!
.IlIs'H LOCAL PREJUDICES..
~ Nh ,EpiroR:--'Two systems of govern
.mspthsvs long been advocated by politi-
sSians. eaThe one proposes to advance the
spsosperity ofthe people by the direct ac-
don VI the government. 1t looks with ia
yor upon, the restrictive system, hoping by
high tenfs and duties upon foreign imports,
10 foster domestic productions and thereby
promote the general wealth. Il also favors
banks as the mere creatures Of the State.
The antagonist system assigns TO govern.
sqaen.s very simple task, the establishment
aand preservation Of SOCIAL ORDER, thereby
defending every man from the aggressions
,ef I'll others. 1t proposes to secure to
.sysryman, the psaceable enjoyment Of the
rswards Of his own industry, and then
sfuststo the indomitable energy Of indi-
vidualsto fill the land with wealth and its
blessings. The latter is the doctrine Of
hope. Of progress, Of generosity, Of uni
vsrsal bensvolence. But csndor compels
uslto say that DgMocRATlc Statesmen have,
sometimes in practice, wandered widely
from. iis 'maxims; and national exigencies
mayarise, rendering some restrictive meas
Sssshighly expedient. And it is probable
thst in' d higher state Of civilization party
names and distinctions will become less
potent, and that our posteriiy will more
frsqusn,ly decide upon political PROPOSE
lions according to their own intrinsic mer-
its.q Yetit should never be forgotten that
Tie besettirig sin Of governments, moro
especially Of bad governments is to govern
too much. But to explain or to defend
sishsrsof-these systems oispolitics, is for
sign from the present intention Of the sub.
scriber; whose only concern is with the
ungenerous and unmanly mode in which
the controversy is frequently conducted.
The county Of Monroe, has shown de.
cided preference for The democratic school
oE politics. Her inhabitants constitute a
new 20 o.nmanity rather suddenly collected
from many States and many Nations. and
chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits.
his not therefore surprising tha, her citi.
xens have shown a decided prediction
fof,ihe more liberal and unselfish system
Of politics. She has very enlightened
and drespectablo body Of whig voters mum.
bering founteeii or fifteen hundred; yet the
democratic majority has been very large
and, decided This has occasiohed the
Aoodga.eso of SANDER and detraction to be
opened upon the county and its citizens
byahs unprincipled and malignant portion
ofshe whig press. A whole Niagara Of
abuse and scurrity has been poured upon
our devoted heads. Every base colloca.
tion Of base words, has been employed 10
viiify and degrade US. In one instance a
worthless and unprincipied loafer was
hired 10 compose doggsrel songs concern.
ing ius. His only knowledge Of the coun.
tyoof its people was obtained while per
ambula.ing under the guise Of WASH
ing,onian, and dparading to the public gaze
his vices, his wants, his rags, his wretch.
ednsssa and his then recent pretended
reformation. While thus engaged he
shased largely in the generous hospitality
asweihas in the pecuniary bounty Of our
citizens, and this was the return! The
measure might have been easily retorted,
for dckgerel can be had cheap wherever a
head and heart can be found base enough
'to.sQdsrake the ignominious task.
It.is related of Lady Mary Woriley
Montague. that she once got ashamed Of
her petticoats. She says herself ~ have
never had any great esteem for the gen.
srality Of tho fair sex, and my only con.
ISOLATION Tor being OF taat gender, has been
the assurance it gave me of never being
marrisd to any one among them" Be
,ealm. Lady Mary, your fair congeners will
NOT spffsr by comparison with the rough
Lords Of creation. But feeling akin TO
shisl sometimes steals into the breast Of
rejecting man when he looks abroad upon
ihs vices, the follies, the weakness and the
wStthleSsness Of the species atlarge. Nor
i leeal vanity. however extensively diffas.
sd ~ provoking q these vices and
fclliss. A wise man, when he sees igno.
rance stupidity and sottishness everywhere
rsssfdidk s6sif own little districts as wise,
snli6 6ktlasA saA kUowing. and all the crest
u fyhsuhiadf r = sank in ignorance and
k6rk kariai,& snav val be excussd far .or,.