Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-12

The sway OF Oemseoeuess
The demaeogue, in the current accepta-
tion, is one who IL gifted with keen, shrewd
but shallow mind; who has boundless am
bition, and seeks it's qualification by urging
himself into Offices of emolument and trust,
and which is usually accomplished by pro-
LESSONS, perpetually repeated, of devoted at
tzchment to the public veal, and by setting
up as the champion of the peoples rights.
He always figures in matters Of state. He is
equally destitute Of learning, of statesman
ship, Of patriotism and Of conscience. HIS
perceptions OF right and wrong are controlled
exclusively by considerations of personal adj
vantage. lie ignores all principle, and only
knows policy as it promises self-advance-
ment. He is insincere in all things except
in bis devotion 10 bis own interests. His
sole power is in his ability to avail himself
Of any and every popular prejudice, and his
single art is in counting popular favor, and
keeping in Office. So as soon one theme has
lost its power, one expedient answered its
purpose, it is abandoned, and another
adopted. Every power of his nature is bent
on intrigue, and his whole life is employed
In Tickery. He is indigenous to free popular
government, and the more prosperous the
people the more he fourishes; for so long as
the people are successful and happy, their
representatives are likely to 60 unquestion-
ed. In this way the demagogue is favored,
and in this way he is enabled to continue a
successful career for many years, perhaps
generations.
To provide an efficient bar TO this class of
political gamblers, spectators and adven-
tuners. has bafied the skill and wisdom of the
trainers OF all the republican governments
recorded in history. And it is to the iDfu-
ence OF such men that the downfall of every
republic that has existed, is mediately or
Immediately traceable. UnhappiIy the re-
public of the United States cannot claim TO
be an exception to the rule that has hitherto
proved universal Their baieiul influence
national existence. They have multiplied
from year to year, until we are in fearful
peril of being oyerrun by them. They have
insinuated themselves on enc pretense or
another into all the avenues of power. The
least attentive observer of current history
cannot overlook the fact that, the popular
passions aud prejudices are aroused 10 an
alarming degree No one who will trace the |
rise and progress Of those questions and |
issues which have most contributed to bring
about this state of affairs. can deny but that
they were sprung and fostered and kept alive
for the benefit of individuals and parties
Taking hold on subjects in " hich the people
have vital interests, they so form and shape
those issues as that the people are forced to
take sides with them and so step by step
has been raised the eommotion which threat !
ems to eliminate in the destructive storm. |
The legitimate purposes of the government
have been, in measure, abandoned. The
great interests of the people have been put
aside, and the representatives OF the dignity,
sovereignty and patriotism of the American
people have degenerAted to an assembly |
wherein intrigue and corruption rule the |
day.
1t is needless to refer to facts in detail, |
which are within the memory of all, for the |
truth of what is here written. 1t is well !
known that not one OF the issues which have |
brought about the painful condition Of pub |
lie affairs in this country with which all are |
toe unhappiiy familiar, was forced upon the |
politicians by the people: but, on the con-
trary, each and all of them have been forced |
upon the people by the politicians. And il |
ia noteworthy fact that none of them ever |
owed their origin to those exalted men who |
Justly bore the title of statesmen, and to |
whom we are Indebted for most of that leg
islslion which has shed lustre upon the Amer
lean name and character. These are the
men who have been first 10 defeat the ma
chinations Of the mere politicians, and who
on ali occasions have thrown their mighty
weight against the schemes thus set on foot
Whether this course of things has already
passed beyond the popular control, beyond
remedy, lie question to be decided by
the people, acting in their primary sovereign
capacity at the ballot box. TIE corrective
is with them if they do not use il promptly
and wisely, the Union is indeed in extreme
jeopardy. 1t may survive for time Ia spite |
Of the reckless spectators who swarm in all |
it's departments; but sooner or later the |
catastrophe must come and will come.