Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-02-07
Personal government

When Louie Napoleon, after the ReGolu-
French people, it was supposed that he was
to be the chief executive of Republic, the
constitutional lead of a government (which
he should be servant as we'll.
But gradually he attached to himself men
whose fortunes were dependent upon ME
own, men whose loyalty bowed before the
shrine of Ne pceon rather than that OF liber-
F! ~, men who kneto that the continuancy Of
his rule was the only hope for France.
The result need not be again told. For
twenty years after the cOsr d'etst no French
man was free. Instead Of the patriots
bosom swelling With thoughts of Ia hberfe, his
whole emotional nature longed for Ia gyoris,
until be learned at Metz and Sedan that the
nation which allows mere parrenu to be
come necessary to it's existence as a ruler
without restraint, is nation of children I'M
tit to meet a well armed foe.
The Germans to be sure had King, but
they had the excuse for it that their ruler had
been given them by their ancestors, and iu-
stead ofgiving him more power they had en-
larged the rule of constitutional law. Our
fathers in framing our government were
careful to provide against the supposed dan
ger'o lapse into personal government.
They stated that certain constitutional
provisions were adopted, . to tho end that
this may be a government Of laws rather
than OF mon 50 great was their fear that
it might become Z government of men, that
they provided system OF checks for the
nation, making the executive, the legislative
and the judiciary departments Of the govern
ment mutually dependent upon each other.
They saw most clearly that devotion to prin-
cipIes and careful guardianship of liberty
and equality could alone preserve a demo
cratic republic, and that nation which
should believe any one man essential to it,
prosperity would be in danger of losing it's
liberties
That their fears were not groundless, is it |
not possible that the present condition of a
large number OF our people is demonstrating? I
As a people, are we not now becoming too /
much devoted to men and too careless about I
principles Do we not sometimes care IN ore T
about the election Of Congressman who
viii secure appointments to fat official posi- /
tiJns for ourselves and our friends, rather than I
for the choice of one who will represent ideas .
which have become dear to us? True, we
hay. our political parties which at least pre-
tent 70 represent principles, and we mechan-
icaiiy vote their tickets bu; do we not vote
~ rf...- IL - ,,b. sL.rI g. 80 -. .,fl.,.t..-
if We live in New York, than from any earnest .
admiration for this or that principle or
i VIZ live in Louisiana, are we not more anx-
ions Tor the control Of the surplus money be- .
longing 70 the State than for the recognition .
.. the principle Of the independence Of the .
executive or the dependence Of the legisla-
5are. or the resistance to custom house rule T
of course you. gentle reader, and we who
write, are governed by no such base motives.
We always love q government Of laws and
-ecG ID secure il. But Is not the number Of .
those who see persons rather than principles
dependent upon their ballots rapidly incre Is
a52 l. it not becoming very popular to be
..lssed as a Fenton or Conkling,a Greeley or
j Murphy, Grant or an anti-Grant man ?
i there not an increasing tendency 70 regard
oy.Ity to the chief executive ola country as
ho test Of fidelity to the party which sup
.Jrts him, and to consider sycophsncy to him
= Synonymous with patriotism
Il j. well for u seriously to reflect upon
lcb tendencies OF the times, and to guard
gainst any approach to toadyism, for tbat
eads to funkeyism and that 70 su biection 70
despot. Liberty can only be seoursi by
-ernal vigilance, was the maxim Of those
Who established our government, after ex-
-rjencing dangers to which We are much
n1re inclined TO close our eyes. French bis-
DRY has taught Us that multitude of men
sorshipers do not constitute State but
hat it takes
Men who know their rights
And knowing dare maintain"