Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-22
sg- We wonder if the people of this

bJ We wonder if the people Of this
country will ever learn that their govern.
ment has been perverted from its legiti-
mate ends into the rule of mere faction,
whose only aim is to plumber the Treasury
Originally based upon principles wonder
fully adapted to the Advancement of the
prosperity and happiness of the people, to
elevate their moral and Intellectual char
acter, and subserve the great cause of HUI
man liberty, our government has become
the plaything of demagogues, and the
people, deluded by falsehood, and debased
by precept and example, are the willing
instruments Of their own wrong. Subser-
Went to the powerful, and insolent to the
weak, We are condemned, abroad, as a ma
ton ruled by the spirit Of mobocracy-
lawless and unprincipled and instead of
being looked up to as a government fos-
tering liberty and justice and truth, our
example serves only to bring reproach
upon republicanism, and to reconcile 9TH
er nations to forms of government nomi-
nally less free, but, practically, more suf-
ferable than the fitful tyranny of mob.
Athome, the abandonment of the origi-
nal policy of the authors of our govern
ment has resulted in divesting virtue and
intelligence of their influence over the
administration of public affirs, and clothed
with power to rule an ruin those who have
no xedinterest in the government-who
have not the intelligence to distinguish right
from wrong, nor the honesty to adhere to
principle for principles sake, is to induce
the demagogue to sink himselfto their NOR.
al level-to play upon their passions and
prejudices that he may win their support
and in order to retain the popularity, SC
unworthily, won, he shapes the policy Of
the government to suit the vagaries of the
understanding thereto every pure ele
ment that originally entered into our pc
litical system. The patriots who laborcd
to raise the masses to that point of mora
and intellectual excellence which fits them
for selfgovernment, have been thrust aside
and those who delight to level downward:
are the ruling spirits of this degenerate
government. The lower the standard of vir
tue and intelligence, the easier the knave
can rise above the surface, and hence the
policy of throwing open the bGllot-box tc
the besotted and ignorant of every cline
for we'll does the demagogue know thai
such extension of the right of suffrage
must give to ignorance and depravity the
ascendency over their opposites, and tha
therein lie his chances for success.
This policy has worked out its Legitimate
effects The high way to political prefer
ment is thronged with scoundrels, and the
degraded serfs of party-with boasts Of
freedom on their lips, and the instincts o
slaves in their hearts-utter shouts O.
triumph over each successive step in tho
ruin of their country, and in their owr
deeper debasement Every sensible mar
knows that this is not an exaggerated pic,
ture and if you would see and know the
controlling element in this government
follow the lines of internal improvement.
throughout the country, and see who are
at work upon them visit the dirty alleys
ofour cities, the dock yards, the wharves
the gambling, and houses of i'll fame, the
jails, the Penitcntiaries, the poor, and aims
houses-in short, every spot where, vice i:
congregated, and there will you find thu
power that controls this government
through polluted ballot-box. AnC
would you see those who give direction t,
this power2 Then look at the Office hold
ers of the Federal and State government
men with heads erect, and pockets lader
with plunder--men, claiming to be gentle
men, and generally received as such, be
cause there are few Of better repute to dis
countenance their pretensious. In thes,
two classcs--the gentleman knave and be
sotted fool--you have the rulers of thi
distracted and dishonored government.