Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-09
rHE WEAKNESS on REPURLrCs.

The February number of DeBow' s
Rerielo is before as with its usual variety
of interesting contents.
From an article entitled Monarchies
and Republics" we extract the following.
While we do not agree entirely with the
positions taken, and do not admit the
apparent preference given to monarehical
governments, every observing man viii
confess there is much of truth in ii
We have seen that democracy is the first
choice Of every nation, starting into political
life-the patriarchie habits Of the primary
condition of the human race, their virtues
and their very crimes engendering self
CONSCIOUSNESS, and keeping out the pride of
privileged classes. But no sooner has civil
cation enlarged the views, increased the
means, and sharpened the appetites of those
who are able to taste its benefits, when
gradually one class raises itself above the
other, and endeavors by fair means or foul
ones, TO firmly plant itself at the helm Of
the ship. Education and means of knowl-
edge becoming more general, the struggle
begins, and that portion of the people which
has TO bear the burden of organized gov
eminent, also and rightly claims fair
share Of its privileges. OF course, those
who contribute most largely towards the
maintenance Of the government, and would
have to suffer most severely under its dis-
memberment, also have unalienable claims
how much is due to either one, is the pro-
vince Of the Legislators. A monarchy win,
very naturally grant the greatest influence
10 those whose interests as a comparatively
smallminority in the State'sorganization,a are
indiSsolubly bound upin those Of thehead of
government; while republic, as the freest
and fairest institution, transfers the power
to the numerical strength Of the nation;
no matter what its state of education, or
It's real fitness and just title be. That con-
test has been going on ever since men were
awake 10 the necessity Of establishing laws,
and submitting to them for the purpose Of
protection aud improvement, and will only
cease with the dismemberment Of society.
History shows that monarchy, with all her
odious features, contains more of vitality
than a republic-its efficiency being based
upon practical human nature, j. e. such as
il is, not such as it ought 10 be and might
be, il establishes in laws and customs guar
diane Of the public veal, which in a repub-
lie are found in the public voice As soon,
therefore, as public opinion has become
corrupted the foundations Of republican
society are undermined, and its laws are
without support While virtne and integ-
rity preside at the councils Of a nation, re
public and monarchy are alike safe, but
the downfall Of organization is retarded in
the latter by rigid laws, while in the for
mer it Is opposed by nothing but an empty
name and hollow boast
i have said that the republic of the Uni
ted States IL rapidly approaching the fulfill
ment OF the eatastrophe--if any proof was
needed, the last war would amply furnish
IT, After an independent existence Of but
eighty years, its dissolution was attempted
upon that very principle, for which the con
nection with the mother-country had been
severed, and there was not honest convic- /
ton and republican spirit enough in the
country 10 break down the rebellion, right
or wrong, by the strong arm Of native
patriots, but the o0Rdotheri and iG'adakaeohte
OF Europe were allured BY money and the
rights, the prosperity and the happiness of
an earnestly, if mistakenly resisting nation |
alitv forever crushed by the brutal ferocity |
of the domestic slave. The time has not /
vet come to open the eyes Of Europe to !
those facts--false reports Of Northern |
strength aud Northern magnimity, as well |
as ISLANDERS against a fallen foe, still are |
successfully Keeping the nations Of the |
world in the dark-the result Is seen, and |
the name Of Rebel makes odious in the |
sight Of loyal Europe giiled and spirited |
race.