The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-28
From tAe Nep YORK. .Nspsl
Passing AWay.

of the virtue and patriotism of the revo-
lutionary fathers. The death of Lewis
Cass tells us that another link is broken
in the chain of political sentiment that,
from the creation. of our nationality up to
the period Of civil strife, was ~ bond of
sympathy between the public men OF our
country. Parties and individuals then,
as now, it is true, had their conflicting
opinions, and the political arena was the
scene Of earnest contention; but still,
throughout all the phases OF partisan war
fare, " genuine spirit of devotion to re-
publican institutions controlled the masses
and was the guiding influence OF their
leaders. Veneration for the Constitution
and respect for the institutions that were
established with the foundation of the Re-
public, preserved one bond of national
community of feeling among the peopleof
all sections and of all parties, however
much they were divided upon the issue Of
the day; and the antagonism of parties
seemed only to invigorate the political
system, as the lightning and the wars OF
the clements refresh and purify the Sum-
mer atmosphere. s.
But the true republican part of our
country has been suddenly separated from
the present by an agency more potent
than that Of the influences of time, The
lessons of the patriots and statesmen who
cradled the Republic have been forgotten,
or neglected by those who hold the rcins
of power A new school of politics has
been established, and the fatal doctrines
of innovation and revolution have taken
the place of the simple conservative prin-
cipes that once prevailed. 1t is no long
or deemed sacrilege to tamper with the
Constitution or to invade the sanctity Of
the temples where the rights and piivi-
lcgcs of American citizens were sheltered
by the jealous care and wisdom Of the
architects Of our nationality. Oneby ono
the landmarks of our republicanism are
being swept away, and tie beaten track
over which the generations of the past
moved on 10 prosperity and grandeur are
folsallen for strange and untried paths
into which fanatics and demagogues haws
ing usurped the reins Of power, are driv-
ing headlong under the spur Of their pas.
sions and ambition.
Mhe Republic is passing, has passed,
we fear, into new political world. The
theories of those that preceded us have
been abandoned The iconoclasts are,
striking down the sacred images, the bea.
con lights that served to guide our fathers
are cxtinguished, and new order Of
things, new direction of thought, new
aspirations, new crceds, new clements of
political existence have changed the very
essence of our form of government. y
Is it not prudence, is 1T not duty to
pause awhile ere we consummate this
work Of revolution !? Admitting that our
political system demands radical change
from the model 50 carefully. prepared by
our fathers, an admission tliat experience;
forbids, is the time we'll chosen to OVER
throw the foundations. and TO built hasti-
ly with hastily selected material on all
nntricd base? The events Of the past
five years have not been Of a character to:
encourage deep and temperate reflection
upon difficult and delicate issues, such as
are involved In any organic change OF
the Government of territory so vast
and representing so many and much con-
ficting interests.
The popular appreciation of the atttlb-
utcs of republicanism has been bluntcd by
familiarity with arbitrary power and the
masses, so long accustomed to regard cx-
trcme measures as q necessity of war,
have not yet experienced enough Of peace
to resume their habit of close criticism
upon the course of public affairs. In such
condition of the popular mind it is al
ways dangerous to attempt organic chan
ges, and the record of the party in power
shows that they, at all events, are not to
be trusted with the mission OF innovation.
Let us be content to dwc! ii little whilo
longer in the political edtice erected by
our fathers. When faction has been hurled
from usurped authority, when dema-
gogues cease to control central Legislation
and tho rcsentmcnts and prejudices ell.
gendcrcd by civil strife have yielded to
the influences of reason. then will bo time
enough to consider what changes are
necessary in our form Of govern nment.
= The Raleigh, N. c.. progrcss says:
A" We are happy to inform our readers
that the Military Commission which has
been sitting foa some time on the case Of
Major John III. Gee, have unanimously