Year: 1859

Republicanism is not the natural government
of man. From the commencement of meager
histories to the end of full tones relating to
later times, all evidence is that mankind have
been governed by monarchy or absolute chief
tanship Here and there a predominance of
intelligence, valor and ambition has divided the
sovereignty, overturned hereditary rule and
quieted the people to submission by instituting
elective government; but in most experiments
the masses have thereafter been ruled by scarcely
less despotism. The long prosperity of our own
republic, its increasing solidity and extending
power have been wonders to other nations; and
may God ordain that these wonderful landmarks
of nationality may endure until they shall have
grown mossy with the parasites of wide-distant
centuries


But, in our own government, the most liberal
on earth, that principle which adorns and initiates
royalty is everywhere discoverable Even, free
Americans are anxious and uneasy till they find
some demi-god whom they may idolize He may
not be called king but they will call him
President" or Douglas" A distinguished
leader is necessary in civism as in war; and the





universal in republicanism as in theocracy. Men
will do homage to power from low bow to Mr..
Buchanan down to an extra civil nod to porter
in the Custom House; the presence of wealth in
the street, even accompanied by dishonesty, Sc
cures recognition which would be denied to the
individual If in humber circumstances the
possession of extraordinary mental power, unat-
l..
infrmity of the person. In spite of our declared
independence, we are all disposed to make fuss
over somebody who is, in some respect superior.
The presence of the most scrofulous and idiotc
lord produces cervical spasms all along bis lordy
walk, when he is pleased TO sniff our republican
air.


Under advanced enlightenment, freed from the
prejudice Of ancient custom, this principle be-
comes admirable; it stimulates the ambition of
soldier, civilian, man of letters end moralist; it
urges on the laborer, leads forward the excl lorer
encourages the schoolboy, who knows that sue
cess is honor, and that an upward step of a span |
leaves Others below who will do him reverence
1t is beautifully illustrated by the broad paths
leading 10 reposing places of the ilusirious dead.
The convex lens of the coflin-lid is a wonderful
magnfer of virtue and greatness though the
observer may have been an eloquent denouncer
of the dead" Death is mighty democrat, his
ballot-boX the grave"


We wish that our national worship of antece-
dent greatness were even greater; we wish our
confederate representatives could buy the tomb
and homestead Of Washington from the public
treasury. 1t is not fit that woman should go
about with contribution boxes, gathering poor
pence to ransom from the higgling owner of
sepuchres who minutely calculates the interest
on each atom of illustrous dust. The nation
should bargain with the hard faced bone huckster
and let him pass without the gate with his wallet
His fame will he that Of the thrifty resurrectionst
who discriminates in value of his ghosty mer-
chandise; but the dog that snored to gray old
age on the steps Of Mount Vernon is worthier of
cptaph.