American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-03-27
Thu Tendency Of jur Government
60 Capitalization.

downward and, if We have not mis-
interpreted the omens of the times,
if We have not viewed the political
aspect in wrong light, our people
arc now beholding the beginning of
the end of the American Republic.
We repeat, it is the testimony Of his
tory that all republics attain Ger
tain summit in the enjoyment Of free
dom, after which ambitious dema-
gogues spring forth from the people,
(ofIen from the lowest ranks, seize
the reigus of power, and, in the name
Of Liberty, establish despotism, "put
on the garb Of holiness in which to
serve the devil" and soon the once
proud temple Of freedom is among
the things that were. This result is
often brought about through the in
strumentality of popular military
chieftains, wLoare given the supreme
power by the suffrage ofan admiriug
populacc, and who, following the he
lief they have imbibed from their as
sociations, that ''might makes right
destroy the institution that they
were chosen TO defend, reduce the
civil law to a secondary or nominal
power. and invest all the authority
of government in the military ele.
mcnt.
Both these forces are now at work
for che distraction of Our government
"A rabid, reckless majority in the
National Legislature, and success
ful captain with narrow, selfish, am
bilious views, in the Presidential
chair. Whether or not they shall
succeed in their designs. remains, Il
be seen, and depends in Il great mca
o,r, apol lie moral and intellectual
strength Of the American people
Unless they be stronger in these re
speGts'than the people Of any repub
lie Of which mention is made in his
tory, there can be but little doubt
that their existence as a free people
is drawing to a close, and that in the
impending contest between crntrali
zation End generalization the last %
the opposing elements must sink be
meath the martial tread of the min
ions of despotiSm.
We are no alarmists, nor are We
fond OF sensation; but we are led &c
these remarks by beholdiug the gen
eral apathy Of The people, and oh
serving the efforts now being made
by the Radical patty to bring about
their enthralmsnt. Gradually they
.nre depriving the people Of the dear
eat privileges, ard their attacks has
been so steady and unremitting thai
Congress has assumed to itself I'll
the powers Of the States and tn,
General Government and 4" States
rights" has become an obsolete tern
or guarantees that are How said ne
yer to have existed, and the peopl,
have accepted this usurpation with
out a general protest, so accustomed
have they become to such assump
tons Of unlawful powers by the legic
Iative department. Not content witt
having reduced ten sovereign State
to the condition Of conquered pre-
vinces, they are now interfering il
the matter OF suffrage in the A" loyal
State 3, and insisting on the adoption
of the fifteenth amendment TO tn
Cons tuition, which gives to the ncgr
the right Of the ballot. II is probs
BILE, that through the influence of tn
administration and the chinanrry q
the Radical party, this amcndmeu
will be adopted; meanwhile the pc,
pie stand, confused, amazed, al til
audacity Of their opprcssors. an
make no effort to avert the cousuu
nation Of this foul scheme which d
priycs them Of thor timr-u0nore
rights and reduces the States fror
their proud positions Of co-cqual so
ereign comp0uents Of the confpdcr
ton, 60 the mute subjects OF an ol
garchy Of centralized power.
As to the position OF the Admin
tratioa. just at present, we give d
following cytract from the Loui.yii
Co"jer JoWRm,, "a defining the t..
dcncy Of the Executive departure!
o. our government
TIE MILITARY EEt.-The Pre-.
dent Of the United States is a &c!
cral, his Secretary Of War is a Gee
cral, his Secretary Of the interior
u General, he has his General of n
Army with him ut The capital. n
four Generals Of his military STA
during tie war ~ other official 30,
tons immediately around him. ~
Hu the Numerous assistants Of the.
officers down 10 their mcssencp
and duorkccpcys. arr military me
The President sends his MESA oes
Congress by his stat officers. he
sGes his executive orders tbrou,
his star. he has pj iced General
charge Of the Presidential mausio
he has put the most personally j
voted o! his military adhcrents
commander the military dcparlmru
!. he is said to be about 90 send Go
> Buttrrlied ~ Minister to Spain. &c
Palmer 10 Sweden, Gen. l;ubcl
1 Switzerland, 70 appoint Gen. Park,
- his staff, Commissioners Of ludi
AhrGrs, his particular friend and
sGciate Gen Quimby Marshal Of M
Gn New York. and thus on to {
he political and military