The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-02-27
The Weakness Of Republics.

The February number of De Bou's Re
uie,c is before US with its usual variety OF
interesting contents. From an article en-
titled "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 monarchical governments, every
observing man will confess there is much
of truth in it,
We have seen that democracy is the
first choice Of every nation, starting into
life-the patriarchic habits Of the prima-
ry condition of the human race, their
virtues and their very crimes engendering
selfconsciousness, and keeping out the
pride of privileged classes. But no soon
er has civilization 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 endcav-
ors by fair means or foul ones, to firmly
plant itself at the helm of the ship. Edu-
cation and means Of knowledge becoming
more general, the struggle begins, and
that portion of the people which has to
bear the burden of organized govern
ment, also and rightly claims fair share
of it's privileges. Of course, those who
contribute most largely towards the main.
tenanco of the government, and would
have to suffer most severely under its
dismemberment, will have unalicnable
claims how much is due to either one,
is the province of the legislators A
monarchy will, very naturally, grant the
greatest influence to those whose inter-
ests as comparatively small minority IN
the States organization, are indissolubly
bound up in those of the head of govern
mont; 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 OF its
real fitness and just title bo.. That con-
test has been going on ever since mon
were awake to the necessity of establish
ing laws, and submitting to them TO. the
purpose of protection and improvement,
and will only cease with the dismemberl-
ment Of society. History shows that
monarchy, with all her odious features,
contains moro of vitality than repub
lic-its efficiency being based upon prac-
ticable human nature, i. c., such rs it ls,
not such as it ought to be-. it establishes
in laws and customs guardians Of the pub
lie veal, which in a republic are found in
the public voice As soon, therefore, as
public opinion has become corrupted, the
foundations of republican society arc un-
dermined, and its laws arc without sup
mort While virtue and integrity preside
at the colinciIs of nation, republic and
monarchy arc alike safe, but the downfall
Of organization is retarded in the latter
bv risid laws, while in the former it is
opposed by nothing but an empty name
and a hollow boast.
4 have said that the republic of the
United States is rapidly approaching the
fulflmcnt of the. catastrophe-if any
proof was needed, the last war would am
pIy furnish it. After an independS<S ex-
isience of but eighty years, its dissolution
was attempted upon that very prnclp,e'
for which the connection with the moth
er-country had been severed, and there
was not honest conviction ard republican
spirit enough in the country to break
down the rebellion, right or wrong, by
the strong arm Of native patriots, but the
cOndottiere and tandsknechte Of Europe
were allurcd by money, and the rights,
prosperity and the happiness of an ear
ncstly, if mistakenly resisting nationality
forever crushed by the brutal ferocity OF
the domestic slave. The time has not
yet come to open the eyes of Europe to
those facts-false reports of Northern
strength aud Northern magnanimity, as
we'll as SANDERS against fallen foe, still
are successfully keeping the nations Of
the world in the dark-the result is seen,
nnh tho mama of Rnhel mikes OdiOuS in