The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-03-02
Politics and Religion.

We are now as anatIOn, approaching one
of those periodical political eXcitemeuts
involved in our quadrennial Presidential
elections. Although the election is vet
somewhat far off in the future yet the
preliminary electioueering and manage
ment have already commenced, and the
excitement is beginning to be felt. The
pioneer wavelets of the coming tide begin
to roll up upon the shore. There are al
ways two contests for the Presidency
the first for the nomination. and the sec
ond for the election. The contest for
the first has already commenced. and
there will be no more political calm until
the election Is finally over: unless men.
warned by past eXtraVaganCes. and conse-
quent injuries and remorses. determine
to maintain calm within their bosoms:
i'm which case the excitement of the con-
test will not be a hurttUl one. This self
| INSTRUMENTATION and ralrepose-
| Is necessary to prevent one Of the great
| est blessings of our republican govern
| ment-the frequent choice of our own
| rulers-irom becoming downright curse
| TO the country. Exciting and diStracting
as these elections have heretofore been.
! in consequence of the absence of due
| selfcontrol, it would be better. if the evil
cannot be abated they should be at least
ten years apart If the funds of the Tn
| tied States We're as sensitive as those of
| the Paris Bourse and the other Europeon
| exchanges. our frequent Presidential
elections, conducted as they have boon.
would be absolutely ruinous.
But moderation and selt-posses5ion are
necessary, also, to personal dignity. and
to the health of individual character.
! The extreme excitement of this parti1an
! political warfare, if a man allow himself
in 1t, Is utterly subversiye of sound person
al culture, and of strong and harmonious
! mental and moral development. 1t de-
| grades the toneand standard of manhood.
destroys dignity and selt-respcct, blunt-
| the keen edge of magnanimou- sense of
| honor. and makes him who should he "a
a citizen and a gentleman, mere dema-
gogue and party tool.
To all the amenities and beneficial in
iiuence, of social life, it is equally des-
! tructivc. And to mcek-spiIitcd and
! heavcnly-mindcd piety, It'll utterly ruin
Gus. It's therefore, to be carefully avoid.
ed 10y all patriotic, discreet. and pieus men
But we Y no means agree with those
who advise keeping entirely aloOt from
| politics and elections. Ii Is both a civil
and christian duty for all good men to
keep themselves welliuformcd in politics,
and to take an active part in all elections
for in these the destiny Of the country,
| and consequently the welfare Of the
world, are involved. And it is misera-
bic folly and Inconsistency for Us to be-
wall the prevalent political damoraliza-
ton Of the country, while. at the same
| time, we keep ourselves aloof from the
| primary meetings and conventions. in
which the men who are to represent and
| guide the nation are to he nominated.
leaving them, and consequently, the
springs Of the machinery of the govern
mcnt, in the hands of the vcricst rahble
the country can afford. We should keen
cool, possess our souls in patience act
prayerfuliy, and in the fear of God and
at the same time we should strive to at
tain to truthful and fixed political con
victions, and do our utmost to have good
men elected to offices Of honor and trust
n n (Tr.yf5y, 4 .gr.r.,yr