Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-03-08

Of the maxims of English liberty came from
that party. But English liberty being es-
tablished, under a constitution that revoked
the divine rights of kings, left no question
for party divisions, that much engaged the
minds of that people.
In all governments, money and po,rer are
elements that are mingled more or less, in
all party contestation. And when there are
no high ideas, to engage the hearts of the
people, so as to keep ascendency above these
mean elements, they float up to the top, and
become the all-engrossing objects Of office
seekers. Such was the state of things at
this period of English history. Before the
revolution, the king governed as he pleas
ed, by what he called his prerogative of di-
vine right; now he made corruption take the
place of prerogative, by buying the members
OF parliament to vote for such measures as
he desired to carry; politics became pecu-
MARY transaction throughout. The people
went to the polls 10 sell their votes TO candi-
dates for Parliament, knowing that those
ealections would sell their votes to the King s
Ministers, for places and pensions. Atthis
time, the old English mind, that had been
so distinguished for its elevation and its vir-
tues, shrank away from the pollution engen-
dered in the corrupt scramble for the <poils.
A demand was opened for small potatoes.
AT this call, Young England" swnggpr-
ed forth, with brazelr, unconscious ignorance
to cause himself to be pnfTrd il thc news
papers.--to rush, with clustering gascorade
pcll nell into office, through cnrruption-to
sell his country Tor bribes to dcride know
ledge.-to scout experience, e,-to sneer at
wisdom with shouts OF idlo,ic laughter
Such has ever been the case, and ever will
he in all nations, when the chief objects of
the party contentious is about office and
money!
How is it in our own country? Par
ties for long time were divided on the fol-
lowing questions: 1st. How should the
primitive colonists plant their civil and re-
ligious rights in the soil of freedom? I'd.
How should they resist British aggression
on their rights2 Sd. Should the colonies
become free and independent States? 4,h,
Should the States form nation, and be
bound together in bonds of indisSolubie un-
ion, by awritten constitution 9th. Should
this young nation involve itself in the in
trigues, wars, and revolutions of the Old
World; or protect its own nationality, free
from foreign influences? 9th. What direc-
ton and protection should be given to the in
dustry of this young country, so as to make it
practically independent?
What fortunate thing it was for man.
kind, that there was such a succession Of
questions, the discussion of which spanned
so great a length of time. What an endur-
ing, noble school was here kept open, to
form the habits, mould the manners, and ed
ucate the mind of freedom. A school of
trial and adversely, of wisdom, experience
and virtue. How it shed its influences in
the humblest cottage! How it made q seri.
Gus, earnest nation, in the cause of human
rights! How it raised Legislators. diplomat
lists, warriors and sages, that stand I'D in
bold relief, far above any that have ever ap-
peared in the tide of human affairs. Such
government came out of this school, as
was never seen before on earth, and found
the people in the world who could maintain
such government. These parties. and the
actors in these parties, make the light and
glory Of our nation. But the result of their
achievements left our people in an unexam-
pied state of prosperity; leaving no ques-
tions which could deeply engage the minds
of our countrymen. The element of the
spoils now fermented up to the top, as ithad
done in England; and scramble for place
and emolument, became ascendent in our
party conflicts.
Small potatoes again came in demand!
Young .America" heard the call, and
stepped forth to re-enact the part of his el-
der brother in the old country. The offices
and honors of the government are now the
stakes held up, every four years, TO be gam
bled for by all the crooked, crimerul ways
Of electioneering. And the residue of the
time is spent in stocking the cards for the
next game.
We stand astonished at human nature,
when we read how England was deluged in
blood, in civil war for ages, in a contest be-
tween the Roses, whether member of the
House of York, or of Lancaster, should have
a crown put on his head!
Yet, what was in this weak and wicked
folly much differing, IN it's sense and spirit,
from nation keeping itself in ierment
from year 10 year, about whether A B or C,
shall have the hest office and ,oost -. o,a., g