The Hickman courier., 1869-04-24
THE IlIPEREALIST.

THE IMPEREALIST.
The first number of the "Imperialist, -
has just been started in New York city,
by the Imperial Publishing Company.
The first article is Of considerable
length on "The True Idea of Govern
ment," and from its first sentence rivets
the attention of the reader. The only
erfect government in the universe, it
ays, is that of God, and in that, what
we are accustomed to call representa-
ton" is only known in the form of sup
plieation. Among human beings natural
imperfections make it necessary for us to
pursue other plans. Men, in their vain
attempt to reconcile their vague concep-
tions of central omnipotence, and indi-
vidual free will, have at one time swayed
toward despotism, and at another toward
democracy, and the political wisdom of
modern times has been mainly expended
in unsuccessful efforts to effect organic
compromises between the two systems,
which, in their real essence are one and
lndivisible. In small communities whose
individual members live simple and reli-
gious lives, and where there no great
conflicting interests, it is admitted that
the so-called democratic systems may
produce good results, but in large States
embracing varieties of thought, of Gus
toms and Of blood, this form of govern
ment must, from its very nature, be a
complete failure. The object which
men have in common when they unite
under any rule, is the protection of their
Il
be reckless enough to say that these OBJ
jects are accomplished by American in
stitutions. We have existed as a nation
for less than a century, continues this
bold writer, and during that period what
other government on earth has presented
such a spectacle of vacillation, weakness,
corruption, extravaganza, and waste, or
has thrown away the lives of so many
men?
By gigantic war, which our misera-
BILE institutions led us into, we have shed |
oceans of blood, piled up an infinite debt,
and now find ourselves unhappier than |
we were before and with 20 earthly hope |
of a brighter career. The people quar-
rel among themselves, demagogues and |
robbers are in high places, while other
nations so much distrust our weakness
and good faith that we have to pay for
our indebtedness double the interest de-
manded of ''the decaying despotisms of
the old world" In spite of all congress
sional action-in spite of Grants rally
ing cry, which carried him to the Presi-
dency-we have no peace; nor is there a
prospect of our having Wy iu the future
under our present form Of government.
The secoud editorial is double lead
cr sasSjalress to the American people. 1t
"a s4iSSm, in language all, alasl too true,
CoTToN are and what they must ex-
coal OIL writer addresses the intelli-
{ ~. 10 : !. ~. sRmen of America and de-
ai-A.aala,, aEAIhLlS, hem his journal will al
my BAtis 20 the masses he has little
r ~ ton. ypecting them to sympa-
ffts cesn to understand the OBJ
- Ss,tn OF orllaAist has in view, he an
4 he lunp npsssys'fsig sssom the outset
z -StbsEssssss them plainly that he
- q - frSn them the power which
- perly WELD, "as parent
ponderous and fatal
he hand OF child" The
- jetraye1 the trust bequeath-
" the founders Of the repub-
gilfully; perhaps, but because
e morally incapable of self-gov
tnent. The address ends with digni-
fed defiance. The editors, whoever they
are, ask no favors and sQsicits no patron
age. They profess to have ample re-
sources of capital and talent and ask for
nothing but thoughtful perusal of their
pages.
Ten years ago, the publication of such
a sheet would have raised one universal
howl of indignation and wrath, but times
change and men change with them. Mr..
Seward began to tinkling his "little bell'
early in the war The war is now nomi-
nally over, but the echo of that tinkle
is reverberating from Maine to Texas.
Poor Seward he sat like an idiot boast
ing of his power, and did not know that
his naughty words were but brief ele-
gy on the Republic. From that day to
this every act of every Congress has
been additional evidence to prove that
the American people have not the capaci
ty to govern themselves. This vast con-
tinent represents multitude of conflict
ing interests which nothing but imperial
power, or the separate independence of
the States, can ever adjust on an accepta-
BILE basis With an infinite diversity of
soil and climate we have an infinite di-
versity of population. Native Ameri-
cans, Irish, German, French, Swedes,
Poles, Indians, Cinnamon
and Negroes, form great, unmanagea-
BILE, heterogeneous mass which it is idle
to attempt to educate and govern with
our present laws. Our Government is
now in transition state. 1t is partly
an Empire and partlya Republic, having
the defects of both these forms of gov
ernment, with the virtues of neither.
Life and property are unsafe, our free
dom is but name, the ballot-box is an
instrument of fraud and injustice, our
rulers are corrupt, and our people are op
pressed and unhappy.
In view Of these undeniable facts,
what should be said of the advent of an
imperial newspaper? Simply this, that
a deep feeling pervades the more intelli-
gent classes that something mustbe done
to save US. We have no idea who pays
for the "Imperialist." 1t may be Louis
Napoleon, it may be the bondholGers,
who fear repudiation by the tax burden
ed masses, or it may be our military
President. We do not know, and we
hardly care. The question must work
itself out on its own merits.
Our only chance, as a country, is that
we are young and have vast unoccupied
territories. But we live fast and die early,
and the nation in the aggregate may re-
semble ''Young America" as an individ-
ual. In our opinion, the best plan would