Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-05-12
Imnerialism.

We notice some quite contradictory |
speculation as TO the influence that
has started a journal in New York TO
advocate the establishment of an In
perial government in this country
like that which exists in France. The |
Press of this city, on the goth, speaks
of the Impyiaiist as Democratic
journal On the other hand, the !
Newark DAILY Advertiser, Of the same
date, says the Inperiaiist Is edited
under the auspices ana at the cost OF
the Secretary Of the Navy, Mr.. Adolph |
Borie; while, according TO the New
York Democrat, is supported by "the
brother of a prominent member Of
Grants Cabinet" The tone of the
paper in question is one Of depreciation
Workings OF popularinstitutions,
and it uses the notorious facts Of the
present time to sustain its preference
for the government OF a single despot |
But there is no logic in its conclusions.
If the American people are, indeed,
corrupt, they will not pro
duce or find man eminently good
and wise to govern them. 1t is not
from a class Of super rhuman beings
that the despot comes 1t is common
ly from a victorious party of which |
he is the most unscrupulous agent.
In times of civil uommotion, when
anarchy threatens society, it some
times seeks shelter under strong
hand, and the gripo OF it is seldom
relaxed after the danger is over. The
history of the world has nothing in it
to recommend dcspotism as a durable
form Of government. 1t is tempo
rary makeshl. Today, no man can
conjecture the fate of France on the
death of the present government
which is a man of inhrm health, well
stricken in years. lie owed his first
elevation rather to an angry and blind
protest Of the French people in favor
of self government Foreign bayon-
cts cverthrew the first Bonapartc and
put Bourbon on the throne, and this
the people Of France passionately
resented by elccling the second Bona
parte as President, after the expulsion
of both branches of the Bourbon stock
The dazzling genius of the first Napo-
Icon proved that even the most bril-.
liant Of despots could bring his country
only to degrading subiugation, after
years of eXhausting efforts TO subject
other nations TO bis sway.
There is on earth 40 better, wiser
government possible than the self
government Of an intelligent people.
Jefferson, writing to Washington, and
expressing sentiment common to
both, said at is an axiom in my
mind that our liberty can never be
safe but in the hands of the people
themselves, and that, too, of the peo-
pie with some degree of instruction"
Those great American statesmen be.
lieved that the general common sense
Of the people was the highest human
guidance-this truth, indeed, in earlier
times, had prompted men to say, the
voice of the people is the voice Of God
-U1r popai, uOr Del The people
informed and exercised in political
affairs, are the best depository Of
power. We know there is danger
from the ignorant classes-Jetlerson
admitted it, 70 bring suddenly into
our political system millions OF just
emancipated African slaves would have
appalled, Jcflerson--though he was the
most ardent Of the opponents Of sla-
very. Hero we are threatened with
the invasion of new element Of the
most degraded Ignorance. There is,
too, among u, another most danger
GUS class, For, if the "poor and igno.
rant are dangerous, how much more
potent for mischief are the rich and
ignorant This class has increased
alarmingly within the last few years.
The money! -getters who have had no
time to think Of anything else the
class who, as they say, "neyer took
any interest in politics'--among them
VIC find gross aud stupid Ignorance
Of the nature and history Of govern.
ment, its aims and limits and its
proper means Of action This is the
very opposite Of the true character Of
an American citizen, OF whom the best
type is often man of plain exterior
and small means, but vcrsed in the
best political kuowledge-the lsnowl-
edge Of the structure Of the govern
ment of his country. This knowledge
was once general among us. The
American was bred nit; The foreigner
made haste to acquire it. Indeed, we
know many a foreign-born citizen
whose wealth is the product Of his
daily toll, who knows more of the
Constitution and laws Of this country
than many u millionaire. Tho for.
eigner who comes to live hero does
take an Interest in politics !" he is a
citizen by ckoicc, not by the accident
of birth he inquiries into the Consti.
tuition OF the government he is 10 live
under, and is attracted TO its support
and ranges himself with its defenders
On the other hand, the party domi.
nant in this country for nine years
past has openly taught contempt Of
the Constitution and of the grea;
political principles it embodios. This
party has carried favor with the
erich and ignorant" classes Of society
These favor such papers as the Inpe
naiiSt, credit its notions, supply lis
means, and write to it the "lctters Of
approval from all parts Of the coun
try" Of which it boasts 1t is the
ignorant at both ends of the socia
ladder, who know neither the strength
nor the wisdom OF popular govern
ment, who are captivatcd with tn,
glitter of monarchy or Imperialism -
Philadelphia Age.