Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-01-02

where, or how, it begins. lit is conup,
in its source, 1t seldom grows purcr in
its propagation; or, If II arise from O
pure fountain, 1t Is often checked and
defeated in its progress. One man toll.
me 10 vote for A--anothcr tells me Ia
vote for B. know nothing of A or B,
but from the distant and discordant mur'
murs Of common fame. | decide the
important question. therefore, not by
comparing the qua lifcations Of A and
B, but by balancing tho integrity and
good sense Of two persons much nearer
me, by whom A and B are recommended
And who nfc the Senators Of tho Uni
ted States They are two in number
from each State. They should be, as oil
acknowledge mon ofgreot abilities, grca,
integrity, an supereminent virtue
They can be found only in the highes,
and mos, disnifed walks Of life. They
must be men, the general current ol
whose lives has evinced their greatness
and integrity--of course, men rarely to
be found. They must be selected from
the happy few, who, by a peculiar des'
tiny, are fit to be entrusted with the most
afduous and important concerns Of a na.
.ion. The right OF suffrage, therefore
in the great body Of the people, avails
no moro than this, viz 10 say which
one Of tho few shall be the man nor
can they say that, ill they are told which
one shall! be the man, by somebody who
knows him better than they do.
The same observations apply will,
equal force TO the choice OF tho mem.
bers Of tho House Of Representatives.
We will suppose, that each member Of
that house has forty thousand conslitu.
ents. Not one fourth Of them have any
personal knowledge Of him, nor any
knowledge Of him, but by information
from, perhaps, some man, who knows
some man, who knows some man, &c.,
who knows him better than they do. Ii
amounts TO this, that, from among the
few qualified for that important Office,
one must be selected and it should be
the one, who is the best among forty
thousand. As general principle, It
will happen, that this office will be OBJ.
,ained by tho most opulcnt, influential. I.
or Intriguing men in society-men Gle.
waited far above the common level {; and
sometimes men who are strangers to the
views, feelings and interests Of the great
body ofthc people. Therefore, although
we have no titles Of nobility in our
country, yet all the branches Of govern.
mcnt being organized and made up ol
men OF class superior in point Of in.
tellect, interest, influence, and, we might
add, OF intrigue. it can scarcely be
doubted, that it will, one day or other.
tend 10 aristocracy,
i A government, composed Of branches
from different classes Of men, which
branches, in the proper exercise Of theil
power, will be actuatcd by an opposi
ton Of interest and prerogative, will
check and balance itself, and by actor
and reaction, will preserve an equilib
rum but when all parts Of governmen
are from men Of one class--have bu
one interest, and lean the same way, tn
consequence. is obvious. In word. II
the formation Of governments, allowance
should be made for man as seiiisR ba
ing; and, in the different branches, tina
sclfshness should be so situated as Il
impel them in different directions
When man S interest leads him 10 de
right, we have the surost pledge Of hi
conduct.
In our country, the vast objects to b.
disposed Of by periodical and frequen
elections, will be fruitful source o
contention and difficulty. The amplcs
field for chicanery and intrigue, will b.
} opened, that ever existed. Merit is gen
orally modest, and rather seeks conceal
ment while ambition assumes thous
$ and forms Of disguise, stoops to tn
0 meanest arts, and is always noisy 70
q the puolic good.
) The co.cxistcnt powers Of the genera
: and state governments, especially in III
legislative and judiciary department.
: render the whole machinery as compl
Gated, as it is great. 1t will requir
: time, and, it is feared, more wisdom an
e virtue than are common TO mankind, i
: define their respective limits, to adju'
: duly their interfering claims, 10 exten
'' or restrain their jurisdictions, as may +
n necessary on future emergencies.
5 One Of the most serious evils, 10 whic
n the constitution Of our government is
@ able (and The same may be said Of q
Q written constitutions,) is tho power. CT
d price, ambiguity and fallacy Of constru'
D lion. The instrument is very concis
. though perhaps nothing Of similar NJ
+ tu,e was ever more explicit and INTEL
a gible. The political tactician, howeve
:, can easily demonstrate, that no syste
81 Of law OF form Of governm ent can
: couched in such language, as to be b
l. yond The reach Of soPhistry.. The clea
s. est, most forcible and positive expire
N sions, are liable 10 constructions. CLOS
e. es, colorings and perversion. 1t is
= rkable, that some Of the greatest al
a most important political disputes in Ii
0 country, have arisen respecting the ]
tent and meaning Of the constitutions
y In those disputes, not only the peop
10 at large, but even statesmen, have act
l. ally taken different sides, and maintai
4 ed the controversy in the most strenuo
~ manner,