Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1881 — Republican Simplicity [ARTICLE]

Republican Simplicity

Nothing is more apparent than the fact that, as a nation, we are constantly receding rrom our early repub lican views and plain customs. This may, in part be attributed to our greatly increased wealth, growth andextended influence. Wealth and power with nations, as with individuals, usually begets ostentation and extravagance; it also begets pride, and “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” During the first years of our na* tion’s existence, its best statesmen and most distinguished patriots regarded simplicity of style and economy in expenditure as indispensable to a government founded upon republican principles. The inaugura tion of Thomas Jefferson, we are told, was maiked by an entire absence of public parade. Recent exhibitions, on like occasions, indicate a wide desarture from the spirit and customs of our forefathers, If we desire to maintain cur distinguishing characteristics as a people, we must curb our extravagant tendencies and cense to display a style of pomp an ostentation that is only befitting royalty anD despotis.m. Our greatness as a nation, and oui iuture prosperity as a people, will depend very much upon the simplicity of our manners, and our integrity to the principles we profess. The greatness of a nation such as ours does not consist of

“ Starr’d and spangled courts, Where low-brow'd baseness wafts Perfume to pride.” The promotion of our worthy citizens to positions of distinction, and the obsequies of our distinguished dead, should be attended with suitable tokens of respect and love, bu l anything like ostentatious display is foreign to the genius and spirit of our republican principles, and indi iates more of pride than respect. It was prof osed by the Board of Directors of the National Institute to entomb, after his decease, the remains of Andrew Jackson in the sarcophagus of a Roman Emperor. The proposition called forth the following reply, which forcibly expresses the true sentiment of- republicanism:

“I have read the proceedings Of the presentation, by you, of the sarco phagus, and the resolutions passed by the Board of Directors, so honorable to my fame, with sensations more easily to be conjectured than by me expressed, The whole proceed* lags call for my most grateful thanks, which are hereby tendered to you, and through you to the President and Directors of the Rutional Institute.— But with the warmest sensations that can inspire a grateful heart, I must DECWNB ACCEPTING THE HONOR INTENDED to he bestowed. I CANNOT CONSENT THAT MY MORTAL BODY SHALL BE L*AID IN A REPOSITO RY PREPARED FOR AN EMPEROR OR A KING. MY REPUBLICAN FEELINGS AND PRINCIPLES FORBID IT. The simplicity of our system of government forbids it. Every monument erected to perpetuate the memory of our heroes and statesmen, ought to bear evidence of the economy and simplicity of our republican institutions, and the plainness of our tepublican oitizens, who arethesovereignS of our glorious Union, and whose virtue is to perpetuate it.— TRUE ViBTOE CANNOT EXIST WHERE POMP AND PABADE ABE THE GOVERNING PASSIONS. It can only dwell with the people —the great laboring and producing class - that form the bone and sinew of our Confederacy.”

It has been truthfully said that “the measure or |our duty is tho greatnesß of our advantages.” No American citizen can justly lay claim to patii* otism or statesmanship whose aspi rations do not raise him above that greatness which rests on power and pelf, and which, when oherish> dmakes republicanism a mockery and A ebam. J, M.