New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-07
r,.cAULAx ON DEMOCRACY.

10 Henry S. Randall author Of the new Life of
Jefferson. in depreciation of the claims of Mr..
Jefferson TO be regarded as signal great or wise
statesman. 1t lie not to be denied that there Is
certain pausiblity, and even force, in the general
drift and purpoIt of these structures. But let us
take further look at the matter.
Macsulay asserts broadly that it was Jelfersons
theory that I" the supreme authority IN Sta'e
ought to be intrusted to the majority OF citizens
told by the head; in other words, to the poorest
" and most ignorant part of society" And it is
clear from the context that he uses the wcrd
" citizens TO imply the whole number OF adult
male persons. Yet Virginia, Mr.. Jeffersons state,
wherein bis influence was paramount throughout
the last thirty years of his life, allowed none but
feeboders TO vote at her elections throughout that
period, while freeholders voted in each county
wherein they owned real estate. We submit, there
fore that Macaulay's assertion is broader than the
facts will warrant.
II ia quite true, however, that Dir Jeffersons
instincts, incucations, influence, tended to throw
the supreme authority in State into the hands oil
far greater number of its inhabitants than had be-
fore been almost ever interested with 1t, and
that be regarded such diffusion Of power as emi.
renty proper and safe. Does this fact justify Ma
caulays disparsging opinion of him.
Doubtless, If an all wise, omnscent, iucorrupt-
bic astocrat were sure to be always on the throne
absolute monarchy would be comparatively safe
and satisfactory form of government. So, if it were
possible TO distinguish all the wise, tie pure, the
good, and confds the government to them, such an
aristocracy would be quite endarabe. History and
reason assure us, however, that neither autocracy
tbs rule of one person. nor literal arstocracy (the
government of the wisest) can thus be trusted.
Your autocrat may be fool, tyrant, debauched
lecherous beast, sacrificing the public veal to the
most reckless, unbounded qualification of his own
lults. Your boosted arisocracy may be clique OF
cunning rapArious, selfish, sensual cOnfederates
intent OILY on sggrandzibg themselves ut
whatever expense to the dumb millions under
their feet. Ii is doubtless q very simple, direct
way of doing business TO have some Augustus
Caesar issue his decree that the whole world shall
be ta1ed-,ome Council Of Ten direct the policy
and control the revenues Of State; but it is very
plain that nothing else will 90 so far toward secur-
ing .onomy and efficiency in administration as to
have those who must ill the rsnks and pay the
taxes choose by their suffrage the makers and ex-
ecutors Of the laws. This is not an infalible pre-
scription against misgovernnent; but 1t seems the
Beat that the nature Of the case-or rather, the
nature of Man-admits Of Aud we defy the world
10 show an aristocratically or monarehcally gov
armed State which has for the last halt cettay been
40 uniformly well aud cheaply governed as New
Hampshire or Vermont has been.
We think Mscaulay TO some exteDt misconceives
Mr.. Jefferson; we sure he undertakes and mis-.
takes the Laboring Millions. No doubt, mere
populace-ighorant unrehectiDg. intent only on
present sensual atiication-woud fail to long
maintain the spirit and efficacy of Democratic inst.
tutions. Thus the Roman Republic appears to have
been dead at the core before its formal overthrow
by the swords Of the first two Cesars. But We do
wherein those out of work and literally hungry are
ever majority even Of the adult male population.
We do not believe that, in this State Of New-York
"a lie gislaturc VIII be chosen by multitude of
"peope, none of whom has had more than half q
breakfast, or expects to have than half
dinner" Wehaye borne the shock of terrible revu-
siors here; We have seen tens Of thousands out
of work and suffering from want; but we never yet
saw the day when q majority could be found to
sanction an act of undsgused spoliation Of the few
in behalf of the many. On the contrary, our most
signal victories of the cause Of Conservatism, of
Property, Of Order, have been won in the very
agony of these reyulsons. The destitute and
hungry are relatively more numerous in Great
Britain than here; yet we do not believe there was
ever day wherein a general coBfscaton of the
property Of the rich for the support of the needy
poor could have obtained one.third of our popular
votes. Bear witness the defeat Of Mayor Wood in
80, on the back Of his Flour and Potato Message,
and in the keenest throes of great and desolatng
pecuLiary reyulsion.
Our criticism, then, on acaulay's structures on
Jefferson, may be summed up in the words Of the
memorable Irish verdict" Guilty; but he isn't the
"man" Had Mr. Jefferson proposed or commend
ed the rule of the lowest rAbble, like that which
swarms about the groggeries Of the Five Points, he
would have deserved all that Macaulay says in his
dspraise. Such government is only tolerable
because its endurance is happily, impossible. Mr.
Jefferson held that great cities were great sores,
and ought to be overbone by the purer voice and
vote Of the rural districts.
We of course object decidedly to Macaulays
notion that increase Of population necessitates dim
mutton Of wages dearth of food and increase of
pauperism. However, we will not discuss that
point now. Mr.. Jefferson was not the greatest nor
the best man that ever lived; no adopted some
speculative and committed some practical errors;
but after making every fair deduction, we consider