Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-06-15
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Past and Present.
For the Fayetteyille Observer.

full above the understanding of
men, ,ardyet when fully cOnsumma
ted wholly eonsonant with reascr
Inscrutable and past finding out
are the proyidences Uf God, and
mysterious beyond conjecture are
the ways of men. Behold : But
a few years ago, and the sun of
happiness blazed in the armament
of our prosperity and radiated
peace and plenty broadcast over
the land. Now the dark night of
adversely broods over the wreck
of fallen hopes and fortune, and
smells with the sulphurous odor
of inexorable ruin, But a few
years ago, the true patriot, called
to the helm of state by the voice
OF a devoted people, faithfully pre-
sided over the destinies . of the
country. His every pulsatioR Of
heart was in strict unison with
the real interests and happiness
of his ow.eitizens. Surround
ed by a cabinet of far seeing and
pure. hearted statesmen, his high
Office, its emoluments andpowers,.
were all consecrated to the gener-
al good and prosperity of his coun.
try. Assisted by a Congress Of
Jealous and patriotic Legislators.
conversant with the wants and in
sympathy with the interests Of
the people, the enactment and ex-
ecution of wholesome and impur-
tial laws me: with a hearty sane
ton everywhere. Upheld by a
learned and conscientious judi
ciary, devoted to constitutional
liberty and even han1ed JUS
tice, the rights and privileges OF
every section were promptly vindi-
Gated and sustained. Under the
united influences of these faithful
officials, the, proud and magnifi-
cent ship Of State, guided by such
a vigilant and faithful pilot,
manned by such a united dnd de-
voted crew and poisoned by such
an even and exact ballast, though
fre:ghted with the lives and liLr
critics, the hopes and for unes of u
mighty p"puH; tion, glideti smooth
ly over the re p waters of CAGE
a,.d prosperity, uhsu:iie iiby the
streams Of corruption, mistaken
by the storms of Cppos tim and
ulbought by the purse oi .ich cor
poraii0nS.
Then just and constitutional
laws reigned supreme over all the
land. Quiet and order pelyaded
.he rcmetest sections Of the body
, 1litic. Burdens were every,
where light and blessings nnmer-
Dus. Cheerfulness oversprCad the
whole face OF the country. Butt
llas! what q change has come over
lie times! I'm, quat and uncon-1
laws now rend and dis
;ract the country from border TO
border. Anarchy and confusion,
under different forms, everywhere
'aise their ominous heads. The
yast majority of the people are
,ending and bresding under the
Weight of oppressive taxation. In
me portion of the country sands
he bloated carcass of wealth and
,omp, in another crawls and
the gaunt frame OF want
and poverty. The land that ouee,
lowed with milk and honey, now
,listens with spilled blood of slain
;itizens. Where once the stall
Tart arm swayed to and fro now
langles the empty sleeve. Where
,nce might be seen the. bounding
md stately stepping of manly
,ride, now may be heard the hob
bling. noise of crntch and staff.
Aud is there no hope for these
evils (? If we turn our cries TO
President whose affections are set
l. on houses and lands, upon
lortes and dogs, whose gifts and
appointments are determined by
he degree of consangulnity or
neasured by the depth of the
tursr, pul cries will be in vain
If We memorable. a Congress
pLo no longer seek their couniryIs
lory and honor, but their OWL
ersonal aggrandizemant, and
whose tenure in Office and power
} dependent upon their holding
be chains of despotism fast bound
pom one portion of the country,
ur petitions, unless accompanied
nth sufficient money to buy OIL
ce, will be contemptuously laid
side. Neither can it be of much
vail to appeal to a ajudiciary, al
eady awed and intimidated by
be overriding power of an exul.
ant Congress. What then? es
FAITH.