The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-24
Political Significance OF Words.

Verbal terms very faithfully indi.
cate political transitions. As soon as
it became fashionable to call the
United States ''nation," the world
was not long in learning that those
who used the language had a sting
ing consciousness that the word
Union was no longer appropriate.
The life of the nation" became a
favorite expression about tue time
that there was q guilty sense Of a de-
stroyed Union, and Congress became
a ''grand inquest" when it ceased to
contine itself to its legitimate and
constitutional sphere. There is a
wondrous power in words, and their
employment not only denotes pro-
gressive changes in the thoughts and
habits Of people, but they are fre-
quently the forerunners of revolu-
tionary projects and designs. BY
fixing popular attention upon this
congregation of States as ''na-
ton" the public mind was prepared
for those changes which are success
lively engu!phing all the attributes of
o republic, and building up consoli-
dated despotism in its stead.
1t is safe to affirm that the masses
at the North who constitute the
dominant party, know but little of
history. If they did, they would see
that despotism can be exercised by
the many as we'll as by one. They
have an idea that only kings, empe-
rors, sultans and czars can be des-
pots, and with this cardinal error in
their minds, they have sold them
selves, body and soul, 10 their Con-
gress. The time is coming-nay, it
is close at hand-when they will be-
seech God to commit them to the
tender mercy and conscience of an
autocrat, so that the hundreds of
vultures now tearing them may be
exchanged for an eagle.
We, of the South, claim to be a
little in advance OF our Northern
neighbors. of radical persuasion. in
political wisdom. We have been
thoroughly educated in the school Of
adversely and suffering, and with all
the lights of the past and the warn
ing Sigils Of the future cleaning fear
fully athwart our path, we would
take czar or emperor to-day, sooner
than q Government administered by
a Congress in which we are unrepre-
sented-a Congress which takes new
courage from our helplessness, and
becomes more fierce, cruel and bitter.
just In proportion as we become more
weak
Those of us who are not fools or
knaves will readily admit what pre-
sent events are Inevitably drifting us
to. The anarchy, misrule and chaos
growing out of many despots, logi-
cally and unavoidably drive the peo-
pie to seek that security and protec-
tion which will be found in the stern
will and iron heel of single master.
Those who first broke the dam and
let III the waters will be the first
drowned, and come what may, the
man who shall grasp supreme power
will naturally commence by wedding
out all small rivals and competitors.
Does any one suppose that SC huge
and unwieldy a body as Congress can
long keep or exercise the supreme
powers which it is arrogating to it.
self? Does Congress itself think so:
Ii SO, greater mistake than such a
supposltion was never committed.
AS soon as Congress shall have con
summated its plans of political abso-
lutism, some man in or outside of ii
will seize and hold all the power
which he may very justly deem he
has as much right to as they have.
And the facility with which he will
accomplish his designs will demon
strate how easy 1t is for men to be
Cromwells or Napoleons, if they only
have the nerve and select the proper
time
If any one believes that we are q
false prophet, let him see whether
time does not vindicate us.
Riclmond Times