The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-11-01
AND APPLIED TO THE PRESENT
SITUATION OF MISSISSIPPI.

Taised anu equipped, the prlvations and su
al fering to which they are exposed; to s
in nothing of the desolation, ruin, and dea
that ensue-all go to establish the existen
n of prevailing sentiment, that he who
=. unwilling to defend his country in time
danger, is unworthy of the benefits secure
by the resolute and brave
10 But this element of good citizen, whic
J. prompts man, it may be amid the accla
nations of the multitude, to buckle on th
knapsack and the sword and go forth t
= battle, is not the only virtue deservn
D praise; nor by any means the crowning dis
tinction of true manhood. There ar
other emergencies, other conflicts and othe
desolations than those of "grim visage,
war; to be met and overcome. If we, a
a people, are to enjoy the blessings of peac
and prosperity, persistent effort must b,
put forth to prolong the one and secur,
the other.
Here for the patriot is wide field o1
observation, and scene for decided action
Let the thoughtful, rejecting man examine
it. Let him take diagnosis of the body
polite, and what alarming symptoms of
disorder, and consequent disintegration
present themGelves
1t would seem, even while Cicero was
laundering in the Senate, having care for
the Republic, that disaffected Catalines we're
busy at work, sowing the seed of dissen-
sion, which, like the tabled teeth of the
dragon, spring up in the form of evil-mind-
ed men.
Such characters can bring about nothing
better for themselves and nothing worse
for their country than their own aggran,
dizement. The profits of some petty Office,
or the qualification of their own selfish pu--
pose, is the hidden spring that sets in mos
ton these political charlatans. The love of
country with them is an unrealized stimu-
liant of action.
The wickedness of Catalne was enhanced
by the elevated position he had held in the
affairs of State and the fact that his hope of
success. was founded upon the support which
he expected to receive from the lowest and
most vicious classes of the Roman people.
The existence of the idle, the ignorant, the |
and vicious at Rome meant dam
ger to the Republic, as long as there were
leaders base enough to take
advantage of this unfortunate condition,
in order to secure their own promotion.
1t has often been said that history repeats
ITSELF This being true, it is evident that
we have the elements here at work for a
lively repetition of some of the most dis.
graceful and disastrous transactions that
nave ever blurred, at least, the pages of
American history. As a State, we have
'ut just emerged from sea of trouble.
While We were yet marked and marred by
he desolations of war, hoard of lawless
nd unprncipled men came among us, and,
aking advantage of the newly enfranchised
olitical element, rode over the crushed
ensibilities of a PROSTATE people into
over.
They were as dreaded and despised as
lev were corrupt and base.
But, it was always source of relief and
omfort, that these men were not 'to the
amer born, that they were not like Cata- !
ne, of Patrician descent, but q migratory q
ass who went as they came, except that g
ey carried away something more than an y
npty carpet bag in their hands. But they i
Q gone, and with reverence be it said lc
ay Gracious Providence, for the sake of 81
nth and righteousness, justice and peace, =, a.
rbid that they should ever return. n,
But no sooner have these cormorants dis. h,
'peared than horde of homebred croak- cl
6 politicians are poking up their heads, g. g.
oking about for a place, and then with Of
10 ceaseless, clamorous cry of office ia
ice !! Office u! they seek tho lowest dregs M
society in which to spawn their corrup- " "
III. Cl
Language is inadequate to express tho W.
Ter detestation and adherence which IN IN
cry honest and intelligent man feels for IN
Oh miserable demagogues. They are the ju
rst enemies our free institutions have to ha
1tend with. ~, ~
If their whole political compound should ha
analyzed, and the tests of truth and hon. loc
y applied, it is exceedingly doubtful en-
ether the slightest tint of patriotism WI
I'D be discovered, while self would stand ad,
in glowing oolors. AM
)ns of the Latin Poets has said SIT is
yet to die for ones own country But
have a country worth living in, or dying wa
we need to maintain good govern hel
ut, which embraces wise legislation and sI
1st administration Of our laws. COS
nd now, can it be, that so much of sue ho
!, and so much of expectation, is to be
ndoned and lost sight of, because of
sdy multitude who are clamoring for "Pl
,e, and who would rather rule amid sn>
~ and ruin, than serve in the quiet and
,eful relations Of a prosperous people. VIII
primary elections, candi- the
=, and voters are the legitimate factors
are employed to work out our political litt
Its. But it is not intended that in me
problem of self government there don
lid be ten candidates for every Office,
that men failing to secure even pros Y
of Office should Organize new parties, u,o
that the self foisted should assume the
sounding title Of Independent U1e'
ich a course Of conduct is as disgrace inei
o the individual who engages in it, as cIA
corrupting and dsbasing to the com no
Iity which tolsrates IT, The men we the
{ need in ofaOs are those who least sesk one