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

FROM tne OOiumDus NuaJ hhte"eib
From many and various causes, which we
have neither the time, space, nor ability to
reveal, we are forced, from the testimony
which comes before US by every mail, to con-
clude that the standard of public virtue is
sinking lower and lower, and that the liberty
of law is fast degeneratng into the slavery
of licentiousness. AS nation, though young
in years, we are by degrees vergiug 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 irretraceable between the wild revel.
ries of the o6e and the clanking letters OF
the other. Our mild and enlightened repre-
sentative republic is midway from the lurld
flashes Of anarchy, and the sighs and groans
and tears which seldom reach despors 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
state of rebellion, demanding a strong and
expensive military force to stay the tide OF
bloodshed 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 lights-Clay, Calhoun
and Webstet---which but lately illuminated
the political tirmament have disappeared, and
in their places may be seen fierce comets,
shaking from their horrid hair pestilence and
war, or little twinklers, scarce perceptible
through the largest telescope-msn, whose
party lttleness and official corruptions and
speed aaiions, whose sectional animosities and
personal rencounters, are reproach to our
nation, and sad commentary on that Of. re-
peated declaration of tyrants, "Man is inca-
pable Of self government"
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 sellers up and pullers do,on Of Kings
and Presidents. Whenever they, through
party demagogues, become corrupt, then all
| ia lost. Then comes the sad rehearsal Of
past Republcs--luxury, RIGHTEOUSNESS, civil
war, and espotlsm--until all that is pure
and holy in religion, oil that is grand and
elevatiHg in arts, science and letters, and all
that is godlike 10 man, Is crushed to powder
beneath the armed, iron heels Of some Nero
or AtilIa. Here is our only hope Of political
salvation. We would not, if we could, pre-.
serve our Governments inside from tho degen-
eracy of the people. II the past has no glo.
rious recollections--if the present is filed
with only bitterness and reproaches-let us
| then cease to covet an age of corrupt, drivel.
ling dotage, shorn Of reverence, or even OF
respect Let us 60 the way Of other Repnb-
lies, with the full strength Of manhood in our
lfmOb, anu the iti'ptesoo VI youeh WI Vu' oio"o.
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 90 down headlong 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 a 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 il 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 disrup-
ton of that party, or In the destruction of the
noblest Government ever founded by the wis.
dom, The virtue, and patriotism Of man.
AcoIUrTAL OF GovERNOR BEBB.-Most Of
our readers will remember that Ex-Governor