Then we shall rapidly increase in wealth, population, knowledge and power, beyond any nation since the beginning of human government. But, to do this, we must become true American Citizens, by attending to every duty, both public and private. The wisdom, patriotism, and integrity of those who founded the Republic, are little esteemed in these days of profligacy. Many a stripling, eighteen or twenty years of age, is supposed to know more about sound democracy and government than all the fathers together. Washington, himself, is thought to be a fool when compared with one of our modern politicians, who always votes the regular ticket. The majority of men who obtain office now-a-days are destitute of moral character. They are elected or appointed merely because they are supposed to be politicians who can influence others to vote for certain men belonging to a particular clique or party. The merits and fitness of the man for the office are not taken into an account at all. There must be reformation. The true American Citizen will ever endeavour to unite all honest and true men in behalf of every good cause, whether in morals, education, or government. He will not allow his country to suffer through an undue attachment to party. As a citizen, he will stand for his rights, and as a representative of the people, he will stand for their rights under the law, without being influenced by bribes, or any personal favors. CHAPTER IV. DOUGHFACISM AND PATRIOTISM. THE sycophancy and doughfacism of the northern representatives in Congress, for the last fifty years, had much to do with the rebellion. If they had been true American Citizens, they would not have allowed the polished manners, the flattery, nor the blustering of southerns to have turned them aside from their duty. Yes, to-day the North may take much blame to herself for the rebellion. If she did not bring it on directly, she suffered the people and government to become corrupt by her negligence. The southerners based the success of rebellion on the unfaithfulness and rottenness of northern men. The North has always had a large majority in Congress, and, had it not been for the truckling of her representatives to southern influence, she might have created a more sound and patriotic sentiment throughout the country. John Randolph, a slaveholder, witnessing the doughfacism of one of our representatives, rebuked him on the spot, exclaiming in his seat, that he "Envied neither the head nor the heart of that northern man who could stand up in Congress and defend slavery on principle." The southerners having managed us so easily in the halls of Congress, thought we had, as a people, little spirit, and could be easily bullied or whipped into all their measures, even to a dissolution of the Union. Had the mass of the northern people been as corrupt as many of their representatives, no doubt they would have succeeded in accomplishing their purpose. Had all northern representatives been true American Citizens, governed by high and honorable motives, standing firmly for right and justice, and the interests of the nation, the late rebellion could have taken place. never would, nor The North, we repeat, has to blame herself somewhat for the rebellion of the South. The North, politically and morally, prostrated herself before a southern oligarchy, and thus nearly the whole people of the nation became effected and corrupted. But the great mass of the northern people did not see the depth of degradation to which they had descended, till the South demanded of them the whole government or a separate government of their own. Then they began. to get their eyes open. "What," said they, "shall we allow the government of Washington and the fathers to be broken up? What do these Southerners mean? Do they imagine that we have no respect for this government, which cost so much blood and treasure? Do they think we |