The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-02-26
THE DEcLIsE OF PUBLIC VIRTUE.

which comes before us by every mail, to con-
clude that the standard of public virtue is
sinking lower aud lower, and that the liberty
of law is fast degeneratDg into the slavery
of licentiousness. Asa nation, though young
in years, we are by degrees verging into crime
and consequent decay, and should remember,
before it is too late, we have Palace and a
Prison on either hand, and that the steps are
few and irretraceabe between the wild revel.
ries of the ohe and the clanking letters Of
the other. Our mild and enlightened repre-
sentative republic is midway from the lurid
flashes Of anarchy, and the sighs and groans
and tears which seldom reach despot's ears
or eyes.
We see but little that is hopeful in the fu.
ture, whether we examine the knotty ques-
tions which are now pressing for decision, or
the agents by whom these questions will be
determined. Two Territories are now in n
state of rebellion, demanding n strong and
expensive military force to stay the tide of
boodshed and revolution, while at the same
time the North is arrayed against the South
and the South against the North in sectional
hostility. The great lghts-Clay, Calhoun
and Webster-which but lately illuminated
the political armament, have disappeared, and
in their places may be seen fierce COMETS
sinking from their horrid hair pestilencc and
war, or little twinklers, scarce perceptibe
through the largest telescope-men, whose
party littleness and official corruptions and
speculations, whose sectional anmosities and
personal rencounters, are reproach to our
nation, and sad commentary on that off re-
peated declaration Of tyrants, "Man is inca-
pable Of sey-gorernment."
| We know no remedy for these evils, pres
ent and prospective, but in the patriotism,
wisdom, virtue and vigilance of the people,
They can command and their servants must
obey. They make and unmake laws and
government. They are the only Warwicks
the settlers up and pullers doOn of Kings
and Presidents. Whenever they, through
party demagogues, become corrupt, then all
is lost. Then comes the sad rehearsal of
past Republics-luxury, RIGHTEOUSNESS, civil
war, and despotism--until all that is pure
and holy in religion, all that is grand and
elevating in arts, science and letters, and all
that is godlike in man, is crushed to powder
beneath the armed, iron heels of some Nero
or Atila. Here is our only hope of political
salvation. We would not, If we could, pre-.
serve our Government asid. from the degen-
eracy of the people. Ii the past has no glo
rious recolections-if the present is filled
with only Iitlernesa aud rerrcucuss-iet u,
then cease to covet an age Of corrupt, drivel.
ling dotage, shorn of reverence, or even oi
respect. Let US 60 the way of other Repnb
lies, with the full strength of manhood in ouI
limbs, and the impress of youth on our brows
Let the old Ship of State hang out the stars
and stripes, unfurl all her canvas to the
breeze, and be given to the winds and waves
Let her 60 down headong into the deep
amid the roar of the hurricane, with all her
guns booming over the wide waste of waters
shaking the nations like the tread of an earth.
quake. This, even, is better fate than to be
devoured by official rats, or to rot at the
wharf of Congressional corruption.
We honestly believe that the greater part
of this national decentralization may be traced
to the leaders OF Democracy. Their scram-
bles for the spoils, their system of proscrip-
ton, their false issues, and their intolerance
of opinion when it will not bow down in
alteration and crown them with honors, are
working out the most injurious and corrupt
ing results. 1t will end either in the dsrup-
ton of that party, or in the destruction of the
noblest Government ever founded by the wis.
dom, the virtue, and patriotism Of man.
AcQIUTTAL OF GOVERNOR BEBB.-Most oi
our readers will remember that Ex-Governor
William Bebb of Ohio, who now resides neal
Rockford, Illinois, was last Fall indicted cor
shooting at and mortally wouuding one of q
party of reckless young men who were in.
Testing his residence and annoying his family
with charirari or horning party on the oc-
casion of the marriage of one of Gov. BIS
sons. He was tried for murder last week al
Rockford, and triumphantly acquitted. Tom
Corwin and Judge VIM. Johnson of Ohio
conducted the defence. The verdict is said
to be in accordance with public sentiment
in Rock county, and, while the fatal result
Of Gov. Bebbs shot is deeply deplored, il Is
hoped that the verdict will do much to put
down those disgraceful exhibitions of bru,
tality and III breeding known as charivaris.
The MULE CoNrRAcT.--The Washington
States corrects stat ement which originally
appeared in the st. Louis Democrat, and
which we re-published, to the effect that the
Secretary of War had recently made private
arrangement with certain spectators, for ths
delivery at st. Louis of fifteen hundred mules
at $3.50 per head. No such arrangement ha,
been made.
SrGas IN MAssAcHUsETTs.-O Thursday
in the Massachusetts House of Assembly
there was an animated debate on the resolv,
to amend the Constitution, so ms to prevent
foreigners from voting until the expiration
OF two years after their naturalization. The
resolve was passed. In the Senate, the bill
to allow Atheists to testify as witnesses, wai