Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-12-13
THE DANGER.

As Il iScpuOitc5 inc future OF inc
United States, to say the least is
not very bright. Wealth, industry
and strength as nation we are
certainly achieving; but the ques-
ton is, whether or not the tree Of
liberty, planted by the founders Of
the Republic, is taking deeper root.
In other and palmer words, is the
love Of rational, virtuous liberty
keeping pace with our national
prosperity and greatness2 This is
a serious question: question for
the people to ponder by their fire.
sides.
Are the people not apathetic!-
Do they take the same interest in
public affairs as formerlyl Are
they as ready to rebuke corruption
and reward honesty as in other
timesy Examining their own hearts
and speaking the words dictated by
that noble monitor which the good
God has placed in every human
breast--can they say eve are guilt
less?" In short, are not the people
of every grade, rs wild and reek-
less in the all absorbing hunt for
money, as their political represen-
tativesl
Woallh has ever been the bane OF
Republics. II doe5 not only de-
moralize those that succeed in
achieving it, but blinds OF corrupts
the majority Of those who aspire to
- it, Gtfuf smiles. Money, mon
ey, money, is the epitome OF Amer
lean aspiration-tho desideratum Of
American effort. To obtain it, our
children arc taught. Education is
prostitutcd to that end. Those les
sons of virtue and high ambition
which our revolutionary fathers in-
stillcd into the minds and hearts of
their children-lessons which pro-
duced 4 generation of patriots and
statesmen, have given place in
these days to doctrines whose lead
ing idea is gain. The result is po-
litieal dishOnesty-an almost utter
absence Of patriotic craftsmanship,
and we'll nigh universal national
corruption.
Much is said about corruption
in high places. Could this be with
out national corruption? Can
corrupt tree grow from pure roots?
Can any one believe that if the peo-
pie themselves, he source of free
government, were as sound and
jealous of their liberty and honor,
us in other days, that their public
servants would be as corrupt, and
as bold and systematic in their cor
ruption as now2 No
The danger of the hour, the
measureless peril which threatens
the Republic, has its source in the
people themselves. Their apathy
thor absorbing struggle for mon
ey, which leaves them no time for
the investigation of public affairs
the indifference with which they
view the most startling Innovations
upon the Constitution-th jocose
recklessness with which they treat
official corruption, and return cor
ruptiOnists to ofice-thc precedence
which they accord money over the
highest mental and moral worth,
and the principles of pecnniary ag-
grandizement, which they make
paramount, which they practice in
their daily life, and teach by their
fire sides--it is this which threat
ems the life of the Republic.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, stable
reformation, must begin with tho
people. We must stir the ground
about the roots of plant, if we
would make the plant itself healthy
and prolific. If we would restore
public virtue, re, establish official
honesty, the reformation must be-
gin with the people, the root of the
whole tree.
Let history be our guide in this
emergency. Republican Greece
was inviucible, until corrupted by
money. Republican Rome was in
vincible, until the aspirations of
wealth, the powor of money, de-
moralizOd hOr people and changed
or paralyzed their patriotism. The
people of the United States should
study those pregnant truths, and
apply the only remedy which is po-
tent to save the RepubGc-the
practice of private virtue, and a
jealous regard for the maintenance
of political rights,