Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-12-16
For tie fayetteville Observer.
POLITICS.

From the relations that every citi- |
zen sustains to the government in |
which he lives, there spring certain
duties which impose obligations upon
him, and which he is bound to OBJ
serve as implicitly as any other du-
ties. 1t is the duty of every man to
study the nature and genius Of the
government in which he lives, and be
ready and willing to do whatever is in
his power to the advancement Of the
true interestsof that Government
The necessities Of his country he can
not know unless be studies what those
necessities are. 1t was a require
ment among the ancient Athsnians,
that every man should take a part in
the politics Of the couDtry-that is,
should identify himself and act with
some political party. And SO long as
the government was SO watchful OF its
own interests, SO long was it free.
united and prosperous; but when it
Withdrew this requirement, the peo-
pie ceased their vigilance over public
affairs, ambitious demagogues seized
the reins of government, and it fell
rapidly into decline. From this his
tory all republics may learn an I'M
portant lesson. 1t should never BE-
rgotten that "Efernal mgilance IS
'he price Of liberty" vigilance too,
not by few, but by all. And in a
republic it is impossible for the poo-
pie to neglect with impun;ty to>exer-
else the care and watchfulnesS due
the government without in due time
reapipg the bitter fruits Of such neg
llect. The nature Of the government
and the laws best adapted to promote
its interests should be the study ofall,
and particularly Of the yoaag DaeR.-
Upon their shoulders is shortly to
rest our great COVE rnment with
all Of its weighty interests. How can
they he prepared to exercise properly
the rights and privileges of freemen
by voting, the law-making, and other
powers. when they are ignorant Of
the history and workings Of The gov
eminent and the very elements Of the
laws? Such lack Of knowledge in
this country should be considered
discreditable if not worse.
But what shall be said of those
who openly despise politics and scru-
Iple not to style it a 'flthy pool, in
which no high-miDded honest men
viii dabble." They, to say the least,
! if we'll lisposted TO their country,
know not what they say, and what
influence such expressions are caleu'
lated to exert, particularly il they
should grow into the prevailing SEN
timent, If as said, politics should BE
s'filthy pool" the necessity of in
reference on the part of good and
patriotic men is so much the greater.
And III the proportion that corruption
may have crep. into politics, in that
proportion should honest and well
meaning men become active in coun-
Iteracting such corruption. And the
tendency of the day among large
class of men to entirely neglect and
openly spurn political matters as be-
meath their notice is in the highest
degree reprehensible, and should be
strongly condemned by all patriotic
citizens. Ii this spirit had animated
the fathers Of the republic, where to-
day would have been our boosted
liberty, our glorious privileges? We
would now belong to the mother
country, and be paying tribute to her
as she, wished. "COrrgption" is no
plea; it is worse than no excuse. And
these directors to politics only exhib-
I it an intense selfshness truly disgust
ing, when they say il all politicians
we're honest and free from corruption
they would have something TO do
with politics--it would be a pleasure
! to them, SIC. In other words,
when they are least needed then they
Would freely tender their seryi cas-.