The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-31
TNo ola DostrAns aad Nsvv.

It was once considered not only proper
and jrdicious, but emineutly wise and pa
trOtic, to watch an Administration and
criticise its acts. That time, unfortunately
for the cOuEAsT and the liberties Of the
people, has passed, and comments on the
arbitrary acts of the Administration and
exposure Of the rascality and lAWlessness
Of its agents and favOrites, are now re-
garded as disloyal and subjects the often
der to persecution and imprisonment if
not exile and death. Fools and knAves
and sycOphants and msTcenary wretches
declare that the Administration is the
Government and that opposition to the
Administration is treason to the Govern.
ment Our fathers entertained different
notions and acted differently. They
watched, with jealous eye, he.Admin-
istratiOn, aud condemned, with severity,
every act which they thought injurious
to the public welfare. No'such indepen-
dence is tolerated now. Blind obedience
is demanded by the Administration and
enforced by its minions.
We are fast building up an odious des-
potism, and unless we retrace our steps
and follow the teachings of the fathers of
the Republic, we will be free in name on
ly. General Harrison, in a speech at
Fort Meigs in 1910, expressed sentiments
which, like many of the doctrines and
opinions of our earlier statesmen, contrast
siDgularly with the ideas now entertained
by those who monopolize the administra-
ton of national affairs, and, if we may
believe them, monopolize also all the pa
triotsm of the period. These are Gen.
Harrison's words:
"The old fashioned republican rule, is
to watch the government. See that the
government does not acquire too much
power. Keep check upon your rulers.
Do this, and liberty is safe. And if your
efforts should result successfully, and l
should be placed in the Presidential chair,
l shall invite recurrence to the old re-
publican rule, to watch the administra.
ton, and to condemn all its acts which
are not in accordance with the strictest
mode of republicanism. Our rulers, fel-
low citizens, must be watched. Power
is insinuating. Few men are satisfied
with less power than they can obtain
If the lad les whom see around me were
near enough to hear me, and of sufficient
age to give an experimental answer, they
would tell you that no lover is satisfied
with the first smile Of his mistress.
1t is necessary, therefore, to watch, not
the political opponent Of an administra-
ton, but the administration itself, and to
see that it keeps within the bounds of the
Constitution and the laws Of the land"
Apply this patriotic doctrine, obviously
so vitality essential to the preservation Of
our liberties, to the position taken by
Abraham Lincoln, in the assumption of
autocrntic and law making powers under
what he calls the claws of war;" Thus
tested, what does Lincoln prove to be ?
"Our rulers" said the patriotic Harri-
son, "must be watched" The support
ers of the Administration, who are we'll
paid for their "loyalty," say it is treason
to "watch our rulers" Harrison inheri-
ted his Democratic principles from his
patriotic Revolutionary father, and the
supporters of the Administration their
slavish creed from their Tory ancestors.