The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-04-20
The Danger of Republics.

The Danger of Republics.
1t has long been mooted question whether
the power of money or the power OF the sword
is most inimical to human rights and human |
liberties. The downfall of nations has been
attributed TO both, and many examples are
furnished in the pages of impartial history !
They have, at times, co-operated together
towards the same end, but the sword has more |
frequently finished what the power of money
commenced Sages have warned mankind
of the dangers of both, but the Judgment oil
history has seemed to concede to the sword
the most direct and potent influence. The
fathers of the Republic, impressed by the
lessons of history, were careful to place the
civil above the military power in our organic
law. They felt the necessity of guarding well
the liberties of the people against the en-
eroachments of the military power. indie
pendent of the teachings of history, there is
princ,ple in man which leads to the conclu-
sion that war is his natural state, and that
only by the influences of civilization and
christianity was he brought to state otpeace.
The courage of the bulldog is much more
admired than the erouching character OF the
spaniel The game cock is the object of uni
versal admiration, while the dunghill, who
will run at the first ny, is the derision of ALL
Physical courage is held in the highest esteem,
while cowardice inspires universal contempt
This tendency in our nature towards belliger-
ency. is stronger it would seem than our love
of gain, and herein lies the greater danger OF
the power of the sword
The American people have manifested their
warlike tendencies in many ways, and in none
more marked than in their respect for the
soldier. The military career is q surer pas
port to preferment than the civic. What
would Grant have been without his military
record? What would thousands Of others
have been who owed their distinction to the
sword alone? Patriotism is one Of the most
exalted Of virtues, when it is not spelled With
ay. The man who goes to the defence of his
country when the foot of the invader pollutes
her soil, deserves we'll Of his country. No
greater service can any man render than to
peril his life for the public veal The maa
who bares his bosom to the storm of shot and
shell upon the battle field is at once
enshrined in our hearts. And out of that
heart devotion of gallant people TO those
who haye fought their battles, springs the
danger TO their liberties. We load them
with honors, crown them With laurel, and
place them in the preferred places of the
land. We make of them Presidents, foreign
ministers, cabinet officers, and lavish upon
them all manner Of good gifts In this way
our pension list has been crowded with IN
worthy names and our pension appropriations
have run up into the millions; and We have
created such pension roll as no Estiop ever
had before, while the country groans under
the weight Of its heavy taxation. Nor Is that
all-our laws give prelerment to the battle
Scared veteran in the civil service, IN direct
violation of the plainest principles Of the
constitution, which eenfers equality upon all,
special privileges upon naae. This Is what
the sword has done for Us in the latter quar-
Ter of the present century. What more 1t viii
do for rs in the pregnant fixture remains to
be seen. 1t has done enough to awaken ap-
prehensious Of the gravest character, and to
admonish the American people that they can
not be too jealous aud watchfal ofiheir dearest
rights
The association known As the Grand Array
9th Republic, while linked together by the
most laudable objects, has nevertheless lately
given indications IF questionable tendencies
which need to be checked. lest they trench
upon the rights and privileges Of others. The
members of that organization combine 70
strengthen each other in their applications
for public Office, and in various ways are
making the most out of their associate intu-
ence. This IS all well enough so long as they
don't interfere with the rights Of others, but it
Is easy to see how readily aeoubina,iOa such
as this would have very great advantages over
the individual citizen. In this way private
right may be invaded, to the deirimen, Of the
community, through military combination
The Grand Army is kindred ASSOCIATION with
the Order ofthe Cincinnati, which was formed
just after the Revolution, BY the officers who
served in the revolutionary war, 20 perpeiuate
their friendship and fellowship. u was 50
QAlleN ncCAlA&ss EAtfG4hAAARnftA1g
pursuits to serve their country. They wore
badge. aud other insignia Of their order, like
the Grand Army. As this distinction was
made hereditary, it soon tell into dishouos
and was attacked in the press and on tbe
forum as in conflict With Republican sim
pIicity and equality. DR.. Franklin saw in it
the germ of future aristo crazy, aud it was
ultimately quietly abolished When the
Grand Army makes use Of its organization
for purposes of political preierm ent, it departs
from the original objects of its organic atioa,
trenches upon individual rights aud makes
itself obnoxioas, il not dangerous The
Cincinnati we're comparatively few in number,
and theirinaneaee limited. The Grand Army
is numerous, its influence powerful, and if
diverted from its original praiseworthy pur-
poses may become a power for evil. IL its
partizan demonstrations continue it will BE-
watched with vigilant and jealous eye, and
may engeader an opposition kindred to that
which bore down the 0rder'of the Cincinnati.