Smyrna times., 1861-12-12
The Republic a Strong Government.

To philosophical mind the talk abont
"slropg Government" is very a musing. whoa
viewed in connection with the history of the
republic during the current year. The theory
thai there is any element of weakness inherent
in our National organization which renders it
inferior TO any other species of government, is
absurd Nor do we think any government
could be constructed short of an absolute des-
polism, equalling ours in the essentials Of an
effective Power. We admit that, under the
influence of that school Of Democratic states
men which regarded our Union as mere league
of independent soVereigHties, our Government
would be weak indeed but the war has extir-
pated that heresy. North and South alike ig-
moro it. The rebels have constructed their
government in direct antagonsm to it.
Men trained in the shadow of monarehica
Europe are unable TO comprehend the actual
condition of things here. They seem deter
miAed TO Judge OF government only by its
visible symbols, according to the monarchiesl
standard and hence we find the correspondent
of the London Times perpe ually representing
General Mcclellan as a military dictator, and
President Lincoln as a mere inquislive super
fuiy. The swarm of Polish, hungarian and
Austrian officers in Missouri seem TO have la
bored under similar deuson in regard to FTe-
mont, They talked and acted as though the
President and the War Department were out
siders, and were impertineut ia daring 10 med
die with their general, but the General himself
has taught them q lesson by quietly laying
down hIs authority at the order Of The Presi-
| dsng.
] This war was prOcipitated by the advocates
of sepsrate State sovereignty, and it has al
ready resulted in the exIinguishineRt of that
whole theory VI disintegration more effectually
than had ever been deemed possible. 10 plain
/ terms, It is q political system which has com
nilted suicide. Ssu,h Carolina is of no more
consequence in the Southern Confederacy thar
so much territory any where else within thr
limits Of the rebellion. Indeed it is Of far lea
Importance now than it ever was before thc
commencement of the war. The case is TIC
same with all the TebeliOus States. They de-
not stand apart in half as much independence,
as they did before The war. II they keep VI
the show OF State governments they are mer'
provincial organizations, without any actua
authority, and in absolute subsection 10 a csntrs
governing power.
In the hauds Of State Rights politicians tn,
Government was weak. Mr.. Buchanan per
milted. it 10 be robbed Of millions OF dollars o
its revenues, and the great bulk OF its arms INT
munitions Of war, by his own Cabinet, Boil
he and his predecessor vainly sIrove with al
the energy that they could muster to crush gu
freedom in Kansas Notwithstanding this sIg
nal failure, the present Administration ha
fully demonstrated that the Government, so ia
from being iDtrnslcally weak, is capable OF lh
most tremendous exertions of power. Thougl
Pierce failed TO conquer Kansas, aud BuchansI
give up the Mormon cIatest az hopeless, Lin
coin has secured firm and invincible possession
Of the great aud powerful States of Missouri
Ksntucky and Maryland, and all western v ir
, ginia. in defiance Of The whole S0ulh in arms
North Amsricer.