The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-01-10
The Times.

before the American people than
are now agitating the public mind.
Never perhaps, were mighty results
for veal or woe crowded into pass
ing events more than at the pres
cnt hour. In the midst of whirl-
wind of popular excitement our ma
tional legislative powers find them
selves brought to q dead stand,
and the United States Congress
seems almost as powcrleSs to calm
the present troubles, as did the
French Assembly in the darkest
hours of the reign of Maria An
toincttc, nor can they, who have
watched the course of our lcgisla-
tive departments during the past
few years with philosophical attcn-
ton, be surprised at the turn af-
fairs have at last taken.
We have peculiar characteristics
as a people, which entering into
our culture must shape our legisla-
ton, which is little less than an on
preston ofthe opinions of the ma
jority upon almost all subjects, ire
spcctive of the fact of utility or
propricty which connects itselfwith
every law, rs an important element.
We are fond Of excitement and es-
pccially that Unpopular debate, and
oratory with us, as it vas with the
old Romans is n sure introduction
to popular favor, and having paid
far more attention to style than
sentiment, the public mind has be-
come diseased, a good %clocutionist
never fails to draw a large audience
and secure thunders of applause,
from %audicnces, no matter how un-
popular the opinions he uttcrs. A
strong minded, well balanced man,
might receive little injury, butthere
is a class of mind which receives
permanent impressions from such
performances. When numbers pre-
ponderate and control, q nation
cannot be too careful and discrimi-
mating, in regard to the public ex-
preston of opinions, and the man.
ncr in which that expression is
received, if men applaud a pernici-
Gus sentiment simply because it is
uttered, with rhetorical elegance, ii
large mass of mind may not
discriminate, and take the mainfes'
tation as q virtual Endorsement Of
the sentiment instead of the style Of
its clocution. We fear this has been
done to an alarming extent in our
country, to says a great deal, to
make long sensation speeches has
become u passion, with our popu.
lar orators, which often has de,
vcloped volubility rather than judg'
ment.
This explains why men actually
insane realize a splendid success il
our country. The unclaimed ant
disordcrcd emotions, and unbal
anced faculties throw themselve
into forms and figures of speech
with startling energy and dramatic
effect, they create a sensation, thei
alterations contribute its very Gle
mcnts, almost every modern biogra
ply might properly be entitled
"thc portfolio of an cxcitemen
seeker we have had hobby aftel
hobby, each one sends a wave o
emotion across the sea of mind ant
vanisltes to give place to another
this diseased mental appetite grow.
and must have its food, and having
so long been fed upon sensation il
is not strong, that its cry should
ultimately be for blood. We have
had a~bstrations and impossibili'
ties, and impraeticabilities 70 much
before the people, and leaders sc
long have been christenings then
as living and rugged Issues that
discrimination and judgment seen
gone. We have had popular MGR
chasing popular distractions unit
they have reduced themselves tt
skeletons in body and in mind, anC
as flashes of passion light with
luCid gloom, the darkness of pres
eifchours, we see their ghostly bones
still rafting on, and proclaipipg