Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-06-18

apathy
The ship glides on over a
smooth sea; tue despOtiC Captain
stands in the prov. No care, no
anxiety disturb the sleeping pas
sengers. But a storm will come.
Power will be abused; It's iniqui.
ties viii be wholly unendurable.-
Too late then for any remedy, but
the desOlation Of war.
It has happened fortunately for
this Republic, that no man Of
prominent abilities hes arisen-we
have had no Cesar or Napoleon.
1t is conceded that in every State
there are men Of more talent either
in private life or subordinate posi-
tons than any one who has been
elevated to the chief command.
This fortunate check to the vault
ing ambition of the President or
Governor may at some day not
exist. II any man supposes that
the overthrow Of liberty is the con-
ception of a moment a sort Of in
spiration, he has not read history
to any profit. need not detail
the gradual process Of decline.
The stately oak resists the storm
when it comes with its great blast,
and points its limbs proudly to
heaven in defiance; the same oak
In a calm summer day, Its heart
decayed by the slow, i2sldious
ravages Of the little canker worm,
falls suddenly, as il struck down
by the hand ofthe Almighty. So
Of the fair tree of liberty,
Power Is confirmed by the will
Of the people. The fact that the
people can be induced TO surren.
der those powers, which they ought
to execute in proper person, is not
the least dangerous symptom ofde-
generacy. We need no substitute.
Ii is wise in private affairs, and still
more wise in public matters, to act
by and for ourselves. A man
might perchance appoint an attor-
ney wiser than himself, but he is
sale only when he transacts his
own business and retains control
Of his own interests.
| had at one time a high ap.
probation Of the position and
dignity of a citizen, claiming and
exercising the right to vote.
Many pretty things have been
said about the ballot, its quiet,
snow like, fall and purity, its be.
ing a thought, a sentiment, which
reached from earth to heaven, BY
its influence affecting the destinles
ofunborn generations. Are these
sentiments after all mere delu.
poetical fancies? Con.
vince me that they are, and l am
then prepared for the first step in
the decline and decay of Republi-
canism. Apathy, Indifference,
Gearing for none of these things"
The other steps are easily and
rapidly taken.
There have been pure and dis
interested patriots in this land as
well as in other countries. Men
have lived, who did not grasp at
power; who did not desire to I'M
dermine the liberties and destroy
the rights OF the people. 1 am
not old enough to have been per-
sonally acquainted with any of.
these patriots, and know of their
existence only by history. In our
day and time, we have no modest
disclaimer, no remonstrance on
The part of the Executive against
The undue increase of its power
md patronage. The cry is some.
what like that of the daughter Of
horse leech. How convenient,
low honest, how purifying to
nave full sway. 1t is true this
way is surrounded by tempta-
is liable to great abuses. A
nan deserves no credit, who can
Tot withstand temptations. The
tory Of Gobbo, Lamulot Gobbo,
5 repeated every day. If any
me desires to see q living rep
'eseutation Of the scene, lie need
Tot be guilty OF the immortality
If going to the theatre. About
he Capitol is the place to see the
played to the life. 81 have
lere a dish of doves, that | would
upon your worship: and
ny suit s.
Ii has often occurred 10 me that
had the modesty to thrust
way the crown with the back of
lis hand, even on the third offer !
If it. This was all prctense, but
till it presented a show of mod.
sty and self denial. l have {
e! to hcer Of any case in which !
he tender of 4 crown has been !
by the ambition of our !
Give Inc more power: I
strengthen my hands the repre-. ,
.seatatioas Of the people are dan. {
.gcrous, and the peoplemost dan 8
gcrous. Liberty is "saGc in my :
nurture The protection which !
over welded BY one man will !
i've to liberty and popular right,
, like that which the yultHres :
i've to the lamb, covering and de. !
curing it. :
The refreshing, b!ushing mod /
sty Of the claim for all, or more !