Smyrna times., 1875-02-10
mise eIIUH e OUS .
Precision of Expression.
For the d" SMYRNA Times"

What fortunate thing is precision of sx-
preston! In fact, precision in anything is
worthy of special cOmmendation, but particu
lary so in the Use Of words, on account of the
important functions they are compelled to per-
form. AS an instrument of thought and
medium OF communication, language is abso-
iutsly necessary aud upon the exaetness with
which We employ it, dSpead the correctness of
our ideas, and the reliance to be placed upon
the opinions of others
1t precision of expression be fortunate, how
unfortunate the reverse Law, expressed in
such manner as to admit of different inter.
pretatloas, is worse than no law, and is a
greater source of mischief than all other evils
combined.
Of the truth Of this statement, all history,
respecting the administration of our National
affairs, joins IN giving evidence and for ex-
amplSs to validate this assertion, there is no
need to disesnd very far below the hurizon of
our political affairs. The right Of secession
was based upon our Constitution while
the tame Consultation was conclusive evidence
TO the majority, that it was the intention, OF
Our Fathers" to establish a national unity.
The theory Of the League of States" and that
OF = consolidated government were apparently
dedueed from the same general principles
and though in either the one theory or ths
other, there existed an evident absurdity, still
the entrance of night to assert its authority
Might entered, ard decided in favor of the
latter; and the Civil War, surprising in horror
evsa the War of the Roses" swed it,
existence to a fatal lOosensss of expression
found in a certain clause of our Constitution.
A few months ago, and the Court House o.
Little Rock was the scene Of a disgrace to oul
Republican institutions. A provincial wa
seemed imminent, aud the President, backed
aa h0k hsy kba ~ r. 1.
and by the combined force Of common law
and equity, exerted. as he supposed,
proper authority, and was condemned by hal
OF the newspapers in the Country. Why any
doubt upon the subject? Answer-Loosenss
of expression.
To-day, the Louisiana difficulty is the absorb
Ing topic of conversation in all circles, whethe
literary OF political. The newsboys, actuato'
By pscaniary consideration, cry out, il
accents letrongl and loud, not Excelsiorl but
Military Usurpation Shsridans Procamatio
Louisiana Banditti and as we listen i
breathless expectation for the rest, the word
Assassination. S~1W What's the sensation. W
ask, and find that upon this, the beginning @
the New Year, when we, as a Nation, ar
thanking God for the wisdom with which Fl
endowed Our Fathers" to form Republic
free from tyrannical oppression and militar
dsspotism, that one Of our sister States-ths
State for which we paid millions Of dollars
France lis being rent and torn aseHdsr by th
influences Of personal self shness and ambition
But Why assassinate the President Becau.
the Hero of Appomattox has commissions
thsfHere Of Winchester to suppress, with th
strong arm Of the National Government q
violsnce in that sectisn. With this inform,
ton, we pass on and mediate.
Yes Grant, again, is condemned, for b
interference and again the condemnatiC
arises frOm loossness of expression in OF
Constitution. Yes. we, too, thank God for Il
wisdom with hich he endowed "0ur Fathers
to form Republic but greater would bs ol
thanks, and greater still the inastimabls blss
ings flowing from it, had He, with this wisdoI
mingled the elementary principles of Rhetori
Boston is now under the rule of the Demo
racy.s The How OF last Falls Tidal Wave
has stranded CASTOR on Massse ehusstts stran
and the people of the Bay State have ma
him governor Of the Hub, and the surroundiI
districts. Politically, be is opposed to Gran
and, consequently, we we're not at all surpris'
90 receiving the information that meetii
sas to be held In Fsneuil Hail. that Boston
eitzens might dsnounoe the executive for
intsrfsreues Ia the present difficulties.
ths Meeting was held. Unfayorabls thoul