The daily Mississippi clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1866, 1866-04-08
::::::::::: April 8, 1866.
spirit of Liberty.

II IS boldly asserted by Radical Northern
journals, and it has been even intimated in
the United States Senate, that plan may
be adopted Of calling into existence new
leader, who viii clear the road, by military
force for the factionists to follow. The bold
and determined stand taken by the PresI-
dent to maintain the principles Of free gov
ernment and support the Constitution as 1t
is, has reached the utmost verge TO which he
can, at present, 60 His last act in promul
eating his official declaration of the close
Of the war, is d throwing down of the ganFlt-
let and an invitation to the gage of battle.
1t is faction and liberty Which will suc-
ceed Faction means indiyidual. interest,
individual power, influence and position.
1t graspS at power ets a child does at gor-
geously colored plaything, and IT retains It's
grasp while there remains vitality to ensure
its hold 1t is corrupt, demoraEzing. 1t IS
all auction room where patriotism is Yended
for place, and influence is bought with gold.
Elevated by the people, factionists regard
them but as stepping stones,but puppets that
bob up and down when they pull the wire.
Crafty, cautious, yet bold and unscrupulous
as Loyola's disciples, ,th csc men would drench
the land in blood, subyert the liberties Of
the people, overthrow all constitutional
restraints and make human Etna Of their
constituents to attain their ends. Their de-
feat depends upon one, and only one fact.
Does the spirit Of liberty yet lire among our
people Is it dead or does it but sleep! Ii
dead no hope is left If it but sleeps it
will vet rise in its giant might
and shake off this terrible hydra Of
faction as a lion the dew from his mane.
Faction often assumes the gaTb of liberty,
and in its disguise it seduces the affections
and wins the confidence of the people. But
success compels the casting aside of the
mask and when its hideousness is displayed
there occurs a revulsion of feeling in which
is foreshadowed the fate Of the monster.
Turning to English history, if we refer to
the reign of King John, we will find that
the Magma Carta, the great chart Of English
liberty, was wrung by one mighty effort of
the spirit of liberty directing the aims of
the yeomanry of the Land. Oppression and
faction had so long held their own way that
liberty was regarded as dead. So long as
the Roman Senate maintained the dignity
of their high trust and legislated for the
people, SO long did wisdom prevail, justice
remain pure and goodness and power ami
mate and distinguish the Roman world
Faction gradually introduced its measures,
gained influence and strength. and lulled
softly to sleep the spirit of liberty. The
state was then torn with dissensions. An
archy prevailed. Ruin threatened the
whole Roman state and chaos usurped
order This political earthquake aroused
the spirit of liberty from her sleep; armed
with the Indignation of betrayed people
the millions of faction were hurled from
their places This spirit finally died. From
that hour commenced the downfall of Rome.
This spirit lives with the people, breathes
in their every action, speaks in their every
movement and is heard in their every shout.
Can you notice it, now? Does it show signs
of animation or is it strangled by faction 2
Its existence depends upon the people. Its
manifestation is shown by their acts. a
leader has appeared who will direct it in
right paths. Let the people arouse from
their lethargy, shake the dew from the
spirit where it has laid overnight and mar
shall their forces under the banner of con-
stitutional liberty. May the result prove
that this spirit of liberty is not dead but
sleepeth.