Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-10-23
tan the Union be Preserved Under q
Republican Government?

Republican Government
To the mind of the true friend OF
his country-who reveres the insti-
buttons of republican government
this question has become one of Sc
rious import. To those who study
principles of government as a states
man should, Its solution, i'm connec-
ton with the tendency of the times,
and the progressive spirit of .innova-
ton, becomes o gigantic proposition,
assuming the most fearful proper
tons, and the mind is clouded with
ominous doubts. The fallibility of
written constitutions, as being ex-
emplified In that of our own, is Sc
rlously felt I'm the minds of our best
thinkers. Not only have we passed
through severe physical revolution,
but we are passing through one OF
political sentiment in regard to gov
ernmental forms. Indeed, the ark
of republican government Is drifting
fitfully over the turbid waters of con-
tending strife, produced by the as
tendency of ultra principles of polit-
ical progression, which have grown
into the widest fanaticism. Clash
ing interests have arrayed the people
into parties by sections, and each of
these are endeavoring to gain the
mastery by the vilest partisan CHI
csnery and the foulest deceptions.
So excited and INSCRIPTIONS have
become the efforts ofleading partisans
in their efforts to establish their pc
culiar ideas i'm the legislation of the
government, that constitutional law
is almost entirely disregarded. In
deed, 1t may be justly said that the
Constitution of our fathers Is scoffed
at and spit upon as 50 much waste
paper. Disregard ofthe organic laws
of the government, with no remedy
to meet the evil, except in the voice
of the people, now being controlled
by the active minds and efforts OF
political usurpers, this government
IS fast drifting into anarchy and final
disruption and, perhaps, another
reign of carnage and bloodshed and
its accompanying desolation and
ruin.
The theory of republican govern.
ment teaches that the people are the
sovereign power, and that every citi-
zen is an equal partner In the Repub-
lie. So far as his-virtue and intelli-
gence enables him to be, he Is an &C.
tive, controlling partner, and his
power and influence Is so expressed
at the ballot-boX. If he be an intel
ligent voter, moved by the desire to
advance the interests and prosperity
of the common country, his influence
ia given to that end F.; but II he be an
ignorant or dishonest elector he
either is not capable of giving his in
fiuence in the proper direction or he
will exercise it for partisan or self.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Hence, republican
government must rest for its success
upon the virtue and intelligence Of
the people. For with all our boosted
freedom, it is well known that the
few give direction to the affairs O
government, and that the great mas.
of the people are but followers of thai
few. The result of that system O
political influence Is that virtue ant
intelligence have been overshadowed
by avariciousness and PAL tisan as
cendancy, leading the people in blint
delusion from the true paths of patri
otto love for the country, to become
the mere supporters of partisan o.
personal schemes for political power
The ignorant are but the blind tool
of designing demagogues. Therefore
every discerning man must see that
TO sustain republican government
in its purity, a certain degree of in
telligence Is necessary-sufficient t.
enable all who are electors to under
stand and appreciate the influence o
their votes. Those who do not pos
sess this intelligence are but the
slaves of corrupt politicians who
cause them to vote simply for parti
san success without regard to tn,
good of the country. Hence, bat
men, capable of controlling, acquir,
the power of controlling the destiny
of the country by whatever means
however foul, they may be able t.
bring to bear.
Thus 1t must be apparent to ever,
Intelligent mind how important 1t !
that the virtue and intelligence O
the people should be made the basi
of all republican government; an,
that, without these, how easily ant
sure it is that the government ma,
drift into despotism and thence t,
tdnuTcHy. lllis ldCt CunilOt be octte
illustrated than TO cite the reader II
the histories of the Central an,
South American Republics. The pc
litical commissions in Mexico are bu
the results of the want of virtue AM
intelligence among the people in tn
conduct of political affairs. Tn
same influences are at work in on
own Republic. The ballot-box ha
been but the receptacle of the mos
astounding corruptions. Selfish an
ambitious men have made 10 tn
Pandora's box for all the evils W
have endured. It's purity has beel
disregarded. The franchise has beel
made commodity i'm the politica
market to be bought and sold at rul
ing prices governed according to til
exigencies of partisan necessities
Men of intelligence, Of honesty an
integrity are not found in the mar
ket. Men of intelligence, but selfisl
and INSCRIPTIONS, are only foun
there as bidders in the promotion @
their own sordid and dishonest aims
and they find the ignorant and I'm
suspecting masses the unresistin
subjects of their barter and sale
Virtuous and honorable men canno
stoop to enter such market, Will
the corrupt and intriguing find Yid
r field for their nefarious operations fc
/ selfaggrandizeme Thus the ool
rupt few become the controlling pow
er in the government without an
regard as to what they make tn