Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-29

ment consists of one position-tho ncnpacity of the
people to govern themselves. Remove this incapa-
city, and that reasoning fails that reasoning no longer
can sustain The conclusion to which It conuuctcu us.
lVol. Sd, pagc l67.)
History has been defined to be "Philnsophy teach
ins by example" Unfortunately for the advance
mcn of political science, mnst historians have given
undue prominence tn many unimpOraut events.
Historians have filled most uf their pages with
minute and circumstaniial narrative OF battles and
segcs- victories and defeats-conquess and losses
the rapid ascent to power OF military cheftan and
the sudden dethrunement Of dotard-the rise of pro-
higate iavorites and the fall OF wlsc mnlsers-the
reckless courage and desoate life of one monarch
the contemplate cUwardice and shameless Hypocrisy
nf nnuther-the servy OF courtiers and the strife OF
factions. The manners and customs OF society-the
condition of the lnHsses-the character Of their pur
suts-the state of the arts and sccnccs, glanced
ut summariy Political institutions are described I'M
perfectly, rs ii they OF subordinate Importance,
commented upon in the spirit of partisan: Hence
tho labor imposed upon the dIihcufies encountered
by the writer wIo like Lord B., has sought to e1-
plore and unfold the political institutions OF ancient
as well as modern times.
Moral philosophy Is Of value III t'achlng us tile dis
ciplne of the mental facultle--in improving the feel
ngs and cultivating sentiments nt virtue but Pot-
cal philosophy the science which treats of the sruc
ture OF government, which points out e advantages
and defects of different systems of phty, which de-
nes the rights and duties of the governors AZ well AZ
the governed if not the most useful yields 10 none IN
aCliCA llpOrtunce, anu cHll never De Wltuou Htef
es to civilized man, The iconduct of some pers0ns
would indicate belief their part, that ethical
principles have and should have no connection with
politics. This Is gross error, and one pregnant with
danger No honest man can belIcvo THAT every
thing il fair" in politics. Men are not qualified for
the enjoyment and maintenance of republican gov
crnmcn unless they willing to restrain their
passions, unless their devotion to justice and truth
greatly exceed their inclination Tor rapacity and false
huod unless their good sense predonnates over their
fI..N
monitius oi the wise 10 the hattering Of knavcs.-
How few are equal 10 the duty of self government i'll
the performance ni the duties Of private life Yet po
liticn philosophy places the foundation OF Democratic
government upon the discharge ol these very duties
Il Justice, integrity und truth bU cOmmcndable and
useful in all the business transactions and sOcnl rela-
tons Of man in private life, why should they not be
cherished and vindcated rs equally Indispensable in
controlling the conduct Of every citizen III all OF his
political ncts When alsehood and injustice aru dis
crcdtablc to jockey, why should they be excused
and justified when resored to by political parties =
Can political cooperation deprive vice OF IFS crml
nality When the bribery Of witness liz universally
condemned, why should the bribery OF q voter be
connivcd at or approved! Violent party spirit tends
to obscure the moral vision, and political parties often
act mnorally because responsibility does not present
itself 40 distinctly and fUrcbly 10 n member OF par
~ TO the insulated individual.
Justice, i'll its most comprehensive and enlarged
sense, is the great end of government, and to secure
this end, the people who institute government must,
in their political acts, recognize their obligation as mo-
raj und responsible beings. Moral principle strength
ems self-estoem, gives buoyancy and manness to po
,cal action, and sheds lustre aroundth statesman.
When reverence for moral principle becomes much
impaired among people, when they discard ethics
from politics, when they cease TO fr"wn down corrupt
ul prullgatc politicians, prophet Is required to
forctcll tho melancholy issue. Republican govern
mont sickens and expires in III atmosphere I'm
pregnatcd with human dcprarlty.
liz is a maxim OF mUnarchlcal government fnHt the
King can do wrong. In like manner the nallibility
Of the Pope has been asserted for centuries by Roman
Catholics Ii hus been often said, that the voice Of
the sovereign people in Il republic was the voice Of
God. Those who possess power always receive mai
terry. Unfortunately for the cnusu of freedom cour-
tiers not connsd to monarchies. The sovereign
people OF the United States have ns many courtlers
us ever attended nopurch and sought his favor
The Bishop of Amlens said: 'rhe Almighty having
created Napoleon, rested from his abors' Another
fatterer said to NapOleons mother "Ihe conception
you have had, in carrying III your bosom The great
Napoleon, certainly nothing else than divine
inspirations" Although the cuurters Of the "sOver'
sign people" seldom rest from their iaGors, we doubt
whether they have yet reached the point OF "dlvlne
inspraton," but having evinccd indonitable energy
and progressed rapidly, they are destined TO attain
! that elevated position ut an early day.
| No man is exempt from error, and little do the peo
pl. know of themselves if they believe that their po
| itcal conduct is invariably right. We believe that
the people of the United States sensible and
therefore, better qualified than any other people 10
maintain republican government but no people ever
had or ever will have, too much Wisdom or patriotism
If the people OF the Northern States, especially Inc
puritancal citizens of Massachusetts, had more oi
| huth thcY would ccase 10 violate the laws OF Con-
rrrss in regard to fugitive slaves cease their deun-
CATIONS AGAINST the South, and sevk 10 les're har-
| mony throughout the conCderacy. Had Seward, ana
Sumner and Wilson, tho Independence OF Cato, the
Justice of Arstidcs, or the patriotism OF Hampdeh,
ma N
fncton. uud the instruments Of agitation. Ii some
moral principle and some political knowledge DO IN
dispensabc to fit for free government, now cai
more knowledge and virtue prove prclracIai Des'
potism is plain and easily comprehended ou; the ma
cbn-ry ni republic is too complex and delicate 10
hp wnrk.d bv the i"noran: or conded 10 the corrupt
The moral and mental progress ot people shoubi
aIwnvs correspond with the expansion Oh ther power
and their increased responsibility Tho greater tle
power, the higher the standard oi quanca'io 'o ''7
discreet aud safe exercise.
Ioui, the XIV once exclaimed, "The State am
fin. Stale" In our country the people mny more
Justly e1claim, ave arc the State. BY lis govern,
,nrns have been established-t"r US laws are maze.
Aware that tho preservation ol repuDNc"n Eo'eln'
mou REQUIRES vigilance, does it not bec"ne the peo-
,le 10 use every honorable effort 10 cOnihe the Fcue
raj and Stale governments within their strct consul
tutiona limits (restraining the centripeta tendency
of the othersJ to cherish the Cnlon ana caltivate
those frnrerna feelings essential to its duration to
avoid pultical faaticisu, and indulge no morbid PM
lanthropy; to render "unto C@sar the things which
belong to Casar;' to discountenance and oppose inc
formation Of sectional partos torenomoer with graf
itudr the eminent services Of tho founders of the re-
public and profit by their adnonltons; to pr"scrl6'
nm man because of his BIRTH and TO exhibit no rel
cious intolerance to elect competent and honest mer
as their representatives, and hold them to Just ae
coun,abiliiy; to maintain invioably the financial ere
din of each State as well MS the fudera government
to seek progress not through territorial acquisition
unjusty made but by cultivating the arts OF peace
to avoid preci pitate innovation and to os,er aho
strengthen every loyal and patriotic sentiment
| ..cor,up,ion wins not ,hnn honesty.
| s;ill in thy right hand carry gentle peace,
| To silence cmviuus tongurs. BE Just ana jrdr ""H
| LAT all the ends thOM dimest al, thy conHfTy'
Tny God's aud truths shakespeare
| D,:L, lima Is55 X. I. II.