Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-19
THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT,

The social, and especially the political insti
tutions of the United States, have, for the
whoie OF the current century, been the subject
In Europe, not merely of curious speculation
Dut OF the deepest interest. We have been re.
garded as engaged in trying great expert
ment, involving not merely the future fate and
welfare of this Western continent, but the
hopes and prospects OF the whole human race.
is IL possible for a Government to be perma-
nently maintained without privileged classes,
without standing army, and without heredi-
tary or self-appointed rulers Is the demo-
cratic principle of equal rights, general suf-
frage. and government by a majority, capable
of being carried into practical operation. and
that, too, over large extent of country?
Inc more populous and wealthy the United
States have become, and the higher the posi-
tlon to which they have risen in the scale of
national importance, with the greater conf
dence has it been maintained, on the one
hand, that our institutions rest on a solid and
permanent basis, and on the other, that they
are destitute of inherent strength and cohe-
sion, and that the time of explosion and dis
ruption is rapidly approaching.
1t cannot be doubted that the news Of the
present extraordinary position of affairs in the
Southern States, consequent upon the result of
the late Presidential election, will produce a.
mong the European advocates of democratic
government and popular rights very serious a.
mong the advocates of monarchy and aristoc-
racy, the threatened secession of the Cotton,
II not OF the entire body of the Slaveholding
States, will be regarded as the first step to-
ward the entire breakdown of our whole sys-
tenn OF republican government.
Ii ought, however, to be borne in mind that
the threatened disruption of the Union does
not originate at all from the democratic ele-
ment OF our politics or social condition. 1t is
the element OF negro slavery, confined exclu-
sVely TO portion only, and that the smaller
portion, of the States, that has given occasion
to all the existing trouble. This element of
negro slavery not only conflicts with the DEM
ocratic idea by stripping the negro population
OF all rights whatsoever; but at the same time
II paralyzes and degrades the great mass of the
white population $50 that, whatever may be
the letter of constitutions and laws, it creates
narrow ariStocracy, which, in the local affairs
OF the Slaveholding States, has everything its
own way. Not content to rule at home, this
slaveholding aristocracy now undertakes to
dictate to the other States also, not merely
their laws and their Presidential candidates,
but even their opinions on questions of reli-
eion and morals, so far, at least, as the ques-
lion of slaveholding is concerned. 1t is not |
The development of democratic ideas or insti-
.utions that has brought on the present diff |
,uties; it Is the collision which has taken |
place between democracy on the one hand, |
'uu tuiS ioTelSn element ana QOuDly arlSt0-
;ratical institution of negro slavery on the 9TH
n. Suppose it should turn out that, under |
hese circumstances, the SIaveholding States |
should determine to separate from the Union.
That might prove the incompatbiiity of Sla-
'ery with the well-working of Government
'ased on democratic principles, but it would
,e very far from proving, or even indicating,
he failure of our American experiment.
" hatever happened to the SlavehoIding States
fter this separation, in the broad extent of the
free Labor States the experiment of repub-
lean government on democratic principles
would still go on; nor is there anything in
'ur past history or present position to induce
erious misgivings as to the result.
1t has often been urged that with the in
rease of wealth and population our existing
opular system OF government would become
mpracticable, and that great class would a
ise. of mere laborers, destitute of property,
D whom the right of suffrage could not be
afely entrusted. Our experience thus far does
OF give any countenance to this view. Take
ne State Of Massachusetts, for instance With
constant increase in population and wealth,
er institutions and government have conform
more and more to the democratic idea
or does there seem any danger to her exist
lg political institutions, even if that increase
nould continue indefinitely. Y. Tri6.