The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-06-23
From the Richmond Wing.
POPULAR RIGHTEOUSNESS SIGNS OF
THE TINES.

POPULAR LICENTI0USNESS-S OF
THE TIMES.
No lover Of law or well regulated liberty
can contemplate the licentious spirit which
almost daily disturbs the peace, and, we
may well say, threatens to destroy the insti-
tutinns Of our country, without the profound
est regret. Thepolls, which were designed for
the peaceable exercise of sovereign right,
are converted into theatre Of violence
fountain Of bloodshed. The too frequently
recurring popular elections all over the coun-
try are but a harbinger Of intelligence of a
total disregard Of public order and reckless
defiance Of public law. Nearly every COM
munity. whose population is sufficiently
dense to create excitement, at every periodi-
cal recurrence Of popular elections, is thin
ned of its numbers by wanton and wicked
deeds OF murder. The frantic rage Of popu-
lar passion nearly every where awes, if it
does not over-awe, the arm Of civil power.
Even constable nowadays, when he rides
into his Office upon the wave Of popular favor,
has too often to ride upon the wave Of popu-
lar fury. And every officer who position is
at all conspicuous befoee the public eye, or
deemed worthy of contention, is often con-
uuCttu lulU pldlC UNtl tHG bOhlIo VI WV 5tui'
through streets crimsoned with human
blood and amid the licentious screams Of an
infuriated mob. People despoiled Of their
property--liberty and life disregarded-the
ashes Of American fresides slaked with the
blood Of citizens, both good and bad and
when we are at peace with the world, we are
al war with ourselves. These and such arc
tho melancholy signs Of the times
Why is all this, and what does il mean
Docs il not illustrate the folly Of popular
elections as they are now conducteds Does
il not show that the passions of the people
are too often called into action! We d'
not mean that they shall not vote whenever
there is occasion to vote; but we do mear
that every petty officer, every constable
magistrate, surveyor, commissioner, assessor
collector, and other officers Of like character
should not have his claim annually canyassef
before the people. whose time, instead Of be
ing engaged in fighting for the election o
men whom they care nothing for, and VIII
care nothing for them, should be bcstowe'
on the industrial pursuits Of life. Yet, hov
infatuated are the people on that subject
The popular mind is inconsidcrately imbuc,
: with the impression that the people surren
: der their own peculiar privileges il they d
> not take an active part in all the details q
government. Will they not remember tha
I their power is sovereign and cannot be sur
rendered ! That they may delegate TO por
tion Of their fellow citizens the discharge q
: various duties. in order that they may not b
/. too often called from their homes and diver
!. ted from their business. and irritated with
innumerable variety Of elections, aud stu
/. remember that theirs is az last the power
y that they are the masters and their agent
y are the public scryantsf And when the
. see the sad consequences which How, an
I which in their flow are increasing, from th
passionate and universal participation IN pul
lie affairs, is their vision so contracted an
their policy so short.sighted that they vi
c never curtail the exercise Of power whlc
J. 10 undcniably and ever must Be theirs I w
e they not remember that We are not cxeml
II from the calamities which have beialcn oth'
's nationsi unhappily, our freedom now se
IS ges upon liccntiousness--and as there Is b
~ one step from Anarchy TO Despotism. 50 y
cords Of republican libert, ma, be broke