Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-11
WHAT is TO BE THE END,


The history of the world has demonstrated
that every government contains within it.
self the elements Of dissolution and vitality,
and is prosperous, or the reverse as the one
element or the other predominates. From
the same source, is derived the additional
fact, that the freer the government, the near
er it approaches the opposite extreme--des-
potism or anarchy. Hence the few free gov
ernments, of which history gives any nc.
count, have been short-lived, whilst mon
arches, more or less despotic have been the
almost universal systems of government
The elements of vitality in all political insti-
buttons, are the intelligence and integrity of
those in authority, as well as in those who
confer that authority. Whenever these con-
ditious are present, the Government Is a
good one, no matter what may be its form !;
but where they are wanting, the most per-
feet political system will fail TO afford pro-
lection to vested rights and to secure the
happiness and prosperity Of the people
SUCH are the lessons tfught us by history,
and, we may now add, by our own expert
ence.
"The best government the world ever
saw" cannot now be cited as an exception.
The elements of dissolution have long been
at work. So long as the intelligence of a
large minority of our people was backed by
virtue and patriotism the country prospered
in degree unparalleled in history; but cor
ruption soon sapped the foundations of pub
lie virtue, and though the theory of the
government remained the same, its efficiency,
for good, became the instrument of evil
The Constitution and laws proclaimed lib.
eriy and equality, but vicious public opin.
ion set them at defiance, and the aggressive
majority are responsible for the horrors Of
the war that has desolated the South. II is
not because the government was republican
that it failed to secure, for long period, the
objects of its creation; but being free
in the beginning, it the sooner degenerated
into licenciousness, overstepped the limits oil
its delegated powers, and put on the airs Of
the tyrant. The Constitution is spurned
Congress usurps.the power of the Executive
and Judiciary, and dissolves the Union
that faction may continue to triumph
The people of the North, whose rights and
liberties cannot survive the death of those
of the South, look quietly on whilst usurpa.
ton is doing its work of destruction, ant
still glorify "the best government the worlt
ever saw" The elements OF dissolution ar,
fully developed, and unless patriotism ant
public virtue can apply an effective ant
speedy remedy, not vestige of republican
ism will remain TO tell that the people ono,
were free. The Constitution is still in exis
tence, but the government it fashioned is n,
longer the same. The laws still recognize
liberty and equality, but power more pc
tent than laws aud constitutions sets then
at defiance, and whilst usurpers are'tearinJ
away, one after another the safeguards O
constitutional freedom, their victims look OF
some applauding, and others staring ii
stupid amazement, at thework-o of demolition
1t took the Republic Of Rome three hundre
years to reach.the downward point at whcl
we have arrived in threesfourthsso centu
ry. Rome flourishedas Republic il'lccn
ciorsness, neededthe'strong armof monarch
10 repress. it. 1t Aourished ASA kin edor
'tilityranny provoked the overthrow of ths
form Of government. 1t grew In wealt
and power under Consuls and Dictators, til
tho'vastnesssof its Territory and its corruT
t'orhtted itfor Imperial sway; after whic
luxury and vice rapidly accomplished tn
work of dissolution. Are we doomed to ru
the same course?