Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-02


troll in its operations. The structure, so to
speak, should have responsibility for its foun-
dation, and the same solid material should be
used to the very cope intelligence should
I light and ventilate it; and there should be no
dark vaults in which ignorance could lurk, no
crypts in which responsibility could find re
fqge. What men need is a government that
shall possess an inherent force and stability,
and that shall act wisely, prudently and justly
for itself and towards all whom it may concern.
The hereditary one-man power, though quail
fed by an aristocracy and bOlstered by an ar
nv, is. of necessity, partial and, in reality,
weak 1t is called 4 strong government be-
cause it unites the wealth of the community
and commands an armed force. But this very
coalition OF riches e1cites prejudiGes and jeal-
Ousies that undermine it, and the military ele-
ment is quite as dangerous to the state as it is
repressve Ofthe masses. At all events, it is q
form too repulsiye to all our republican ideas
aud usages, and would not be tolerated any
where in America, at least, this side of Mexico.
On the other hand, a democracy submits mat
tiers of most vital moment to incapacity and
passion the ship of state is rudderless, and its
course shifts with every change of the tickle
wind. The most untried innovations are intro
duced, the most momentOuS issues are decided,
by those who know little and care less about
the bearings and consequences of their action.
Ignorance, vice and pauperiSm, always in eX-
cess of their OppOSitsS, and perpetually in
blind agony oflOnging and envy, stfiye eagerly
to bring wisdom into contempt, virtue into ig-
uominy, and wealth into public deSpoilment
and enforced depletion. 50 The greatest good
of the greatest number, >" as they understand
it, is to be achieved, at whatever cost and
wrong TO others. So, we must be careful,
while avoiding the rock, that we do not steer
into the cnguphing waters Of the whirlpool.
II has been authoritatyely declared, on this
side of the Atlantic that " all governments
derive their Just powers from the consent of
the governed" This, understood in its true
intent. is sound but whoever shall attempt to
deduce herefrom that every subject of the
State is entitled to an equal degree in this
consent, or dissent, wreStS the grand principle
nom a generous truth to ruinOuS falsehood.
Even absolute democracy agrees that the con-
sent of the minority is not necessary, and that
its dissent is wholly imperative. Every man
has his vote, truly, but how poor thing it is
AGAINST numbers You have to go with the
many, or your voice is pOwerlesS in oppoSi-
ton it is vain; as 4 security, nothing. Truth
is that few peoples in these latter times are
called on to institute an original government
we find it as our ancestors bequeathed it, and
the obligation of their consent attaches to us
rs their heirs, or there arises an implied con
sent from ourselves, predicated on our tacit
acouiescence. Nor is this implication illegiti
mate, except in cases of external imposition
for we, the people, are sovereign, and can sub
vert that which does not meet our appreciation.
1t is only in the initiation and Inauguration of
the State that all can claim a ruling influence
afterwards, offices, dignities, franchises, and
many other things, are mere privileges, to be
granted and resumed at the option Of this civil
creature, which we have made with our own
hands and exalted above our own wills.
Under such a creature, to which we have
surrendered many of our natural rights, we
now find ourselves. Its constitution estab-
fishes representative republic, based on
limited democracy. Its ayowed objects are to
secure equally to every man, life, liberty, and
the pursuit Of happiness" Grand aims, and
ON the whole (but with some notable eXcep-
tions,) nobly have they, 50 far, been accomp-
Tshed. But all the steps in this magnanimouS
/ career have not been well considered we have
already advanced too far; we are in the midst
| of difficulties and dangers, and the next motion
NAV precipitate US down the abyss. bloody
internal war has already torn and impOyer-
! ished us. Why Because the power OF direc-
ton has been placed in too many hands.
strict and sacred franchise has been debaSed to
a thing of common right. Hydra is elevated to
the throne, or is the power behind the throne,
and we are tossed and worried by continual
change. Nothing is fixed; We are in constant
revolution and government is still mthe crea-
tive process, OF in a transition, forever, without
rest. Laws are but igReS tdt,j, and the Con-
stitution seems to be but of the " BoreaiS
race" that change ere you can point the
place." All this is Of Democracy, and is evil
dence of rapid decadence into anarchy
Shall we stand idly by and await the catas-
trophe' Is there no help, nOremedy! There
is a remedy, if it can be applied. This is found
in a restriction to certain qualified parties, mot
of one class, but of all classes,) of the elective
franchise or, if that is impracticable, ingiying
the intelligence and substance Of the country
an edectual check upon the impulsiye, thought
less, careless masses.
Every one will agree that the blind should be
led by those who can see; but many affect to
think that the employees and benetciaries
should not be directed by the stockholders
Government is chiefly converSant about money
or moneys worth. The Constitution provides
definitely and efficiently for ''life and liberty"
and leaves 10 the subsequent manipulation Of
laws all that which is comprised in "the
pursuit of happiness which, in popular inter
probation, means the pursuit fworldly goods"
The direct object OF the great body of civil en-
actments is property; and there is scarcely a
a statute which does not, more or less, touch
this great interest. Moreover, this govern
mental machine is exceedingly expensive, and
every movement, from the greatest to the least,
requires an outlay that must be betrayed by
taxes. Who pays these There is the uni
yersal pon-tax, TO be sure. But that every
person pays even this, is vulgar error. But
what is that pitiful exactiOn compared to the
mpost levied on real estate, capital, stocks, in
: comes and last, though not least, Injuries >
How strange it is that this important matter
y, does not dominate in its own management-how
passing strange that it has not even the poor
\ defence of protective veto! Yet, so it is
IS 1t happens, indeed-apparently by oversight OIL
" accident-that members of some State Legisla'
lures are required, by local stipulation, to pos
m seSs some Insignificant estate and this slight
l. barrier IS all that interpoSes between propert!
4 AID Agrarianism! The next assault will strike
As this down, if it is not supported by new for
o.. tidcationS.