Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-11
1ns Empire-Is il PossibIes


The Empire Is IL Possible:
Whoever can bring mind OF indie
pendent thought to the consideration o
great and vital questions--a mind above
and beyond pet schemes and partisan In
terests, treating subjects dispassionateiy
and in the purity of abstract and ma'he
NAUTICAL demonstration-will always de
yelop truthful results commensurate with
the Importance of the subject. Polybius
we'll suited for such an undertaking
writes general history full OF fruitful
thought, the result of mature, deliberate
Study of the various forms OF govern
msnt. Whoever consulis him will be i'm
pressed with the true philosophy OF his
tory as seen in his works, as well as the
greatness of his designs and the excel
lent manner in which he satisfies just ex-
pectation. In discussing the three gen.
eral forms of government, in the order
in which nature, by an inevitable law OF
rotation, has appointed them, he demon
strates that in this circle of monarchy,
aristocracy and democracy, unlimited,
despotic monarchy degenerates into ty-
ranny, aristocracy into oligarchy and
democracy into savage violence, which,
in its train, is to be succeeded by mon
archy-as it were the government OF the
strongest will Men, having suffered the
evils of a former pernicious government,
value nothing so highly as that which
they set up for themselves; but within
few generations, if not restrained and.
protectefby a rule, preserved spotless,
they undervaue what they have made,
think less of unbridled freedom, which is
not freedom, and their leaders begin to
crave power and employ every method
of corruption; and the people, familiar
lied with wrong, taught bribery, blinded
by largesses, give place to violence and
Injustice. All manner of excuses, pro-
ser:ptions for party's sake, banishments,
murders and divisions Of lands would re-
suit.
What one of US can say that the Con-
stitution, which guaranteed equal liberty.
and rights, is revered at Washington 7
Scarcely four generations and we attest
the truth of the historians remark; I'VE
forget the value of true liberty" Can
we now 90 to Washington to regain 1t,
where the moral atmosphere smells to
Heaven p Corruption, with the eff
frontry of harlot, as she is, points to
your legislators points to the bribery in
The treaty for the purchase of Alaska; to
the Pacific railroad bill the sixty mill
lion whisky tax stolen from the Govern
ment; the prescription of opposition
members legally elected the Legislative
branch throttling and emasculating the
Executive and Judiciary, instituted as
coordinate by the Constitution Are
these things not alarming? Have you
not observed how nodestly this system
was iuaugurated7 And have you Rot
seen that speck of the distance grow I'M
til it blackens our horizon-envelops the
whole land in its shadow What will be
their next step2 Monarchy with ty-
rapny2 Monarchy unlimited2 Our
Conscript Pathers," "Decemvirs,"
" Centurions," may delq1e the seople BY
hope of just representation. Fhey haYe
assn med the power of stripping them
selves of the restraints OF the Judiciary
and Executive. They legislate those In
whom they desire ard the opposition out
They care nothing for the mite Of oppo-
sltlon WHICH weakly struggles against
them, and only ehecks faction among
the powerful. The pnrfpeness of IKE
time alone is ichdt preUents them from
holding for ife. Like Augustus, they
may 90 through the form OF an election
every two years, until the people are &C.
customed to the sight of chains. now
esrlanded with flowers, and then throw
of the mask. Rarely, if ever, has such
q condition OF affairs ended 10 anght eiss
than violence, rapine and murder, or we
have read history to no purpose. When
q mad popEisee bsroWes satiated with
this high carnival Of blOod, mossFchy,
by the isSs of nature, comes in 10 re:
strain and soften pssslons OF pep, and
thus we move around 10 the CIRCLE,
It's painful and useless sagaciiy TO
ace o danger when it is too late; but to
be apprissd &Ed conscious Of ruin and
yet rush in. is both hagidols and i'm
pious. Men are prone to imagine that
J fortune is ever about TO bestov some
good gift, and often descend to the grave
uuder the halIucination of vision Of
an earthly paradise which they hoped to
enjoy, forgetting ihG, man born Of
vonan is Of few days and fail ofirolble."
Work of muscle or OF brain must be
undergone. Rational men, made wiser
By misfortune, desiss from ptopian
dreams, the sources Of their anhsppiness,
and ooutsnt themselves with what fore
sight and prudence commend to reason.
If England, With tho branches OF It's
government properly restrained, eYi-
denees Q goodly share of liberty and
happiness snd stability, will you not turn
from the dark fHtare OF eonmolion and
insecurity here, and almost sigh to be an
Englishman? Shall we not sing sweet
| faFesell srias TO the deserted temples Of
liberty, s0Gs the hsbitations Of freemen ?
We pass these hagnts of happier days
with regret; we hail them with an en-
brscing love. Let US striEe to restore
the sacred palladium and place it