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nature； and they do not seem to be accompanied by the same danger
here as elsewhere。 The people have yet to discover that the
seeming throes of liberty are nothing but the breath of their
masters； the demagogues； and that at the very moment when they
are made to appear to have the greatest influence on public
affairs； they really exercise the least。 Here； in our view； is
the great danger to the countrywhich is governed； in fact； not
by its people； as is pretended； but by factions that are
themselves controlled most absolutely by the machinations of the
designing。 A hundred thousand electors； under the present system
of caucuses and conventions； are just as much wielded by command
as a hundred thousand soldiers in the field； and the wire…pullers
behind the scenes can as securely anticipate the obedience of
their agents； as the members of the bureaux in any cabinet in
Europe can look with confidence to the compliance of their
subordinates。 Party is the most potent despot of the times。 Its
very irresponsibility gives it an energy and weight that
overshadows the regular action of government。 And thus it is；
that we hear men； in their places in the national legislature；
boasting of their allegiance to its interests and mandates；
instead of referring their duties to the country。
All large commercial towns are； in their nature； national in
feeling。 The diversity and magnitude of their interests are
certain to keep them so； and； as we have already said； New York
forms no exception to the rule。 She belongs already more to the
country than she does to the State； and every day has a tendency
to increase this catholic disposition among the votaries of
commerce。
That some extravagant notions； in which interest has thrown its
mists before the reason of our people； exist； is； we think
undeniable； and we concede that the two recently promulgated
figments of the equilibrium and the rights of persons over the
property and Territory of the United States have a character of
feebleness and obvious delusion that would excite our wonder； did
we not have so many occasions to observe and comment on the
frailty of human judgment when warped by motives of this nature。
To us it would seem； that the people of any particular State have
just the same claim to use the ships of war； and forts； and
public buildings of the United States； as they have； unpermitted
by the sovereign power； to occupy any of its lands。 That which is
the property of the public is no more the property of
individuals； in law or reason； than the estate of any one man is
the estate of his neighbor。 Carry out the doctrine in spirit； and
it would lead to general confusion； and a state of things so
impracticable as to disorganize society。 If the people are thus
intrinsically masters and owners of all around them； why are they
not the proprietors of the banks and other corporations created
by themselves？ They made the government； if you will； though in a
very limited capacity； and they made these corporations； much
more directly and unequivocally； and； admitting the truth of this
copartnership principle； in which every man is so far a member of
the firm that he may take his share of the assets； we cannot see
that he is not equally entitled to lay his hands on all the other
progeny of the popular will。 In a word； the doctrine would seem
to be not only weak； but absurd； and we find a difficulty in
believing that any cool…headed and reflecting man can feel the
necessity for refuting it。
｛just the same claim = Cooper is again ridiculing John C。
Calhoun's assertion that； because the new Territories of the West
acquired from Mexico belonged to the people rather than the
Federal Government； Southerners had an inherent right to bring
and keep their slaves in them regardless of Federal law｝
But other dangers undeniably beset the country； that have no
connection with this question of Slavery。 However repugnant it
may be to the pride of human nature； or the favorite doctrines of
the day； there can be little question that the greatest sources
of apprehension of future evil to the people of this country； are
to be looked for in the abuses which have their origin in the
infirmities and characteristics of human nature。 In a word； the
people have great cause to distrust themselves； and the numerous
and serious innovations they are making on all sides； on not only
the most venerable principles in favor with men； but on the
divine law； must cause every reflecting man to forbode a state of
things； far more serious than even that which would arise from a
separation of the States into isolated parts。
The particular form in which this imminent danger is now； for the
first time seriously since the establishment of the Government；
beginning to exhibit itself； is through the combinations of the
designing to obtain a mercenary corps of voters； insignificant as
to numbers； but formidable by their union； to hold the balance of
power； and to effect their purposes by practising on the wilful；
blind； wayward； and； we might almost add； fatal obstinacy of the
two great political parties of the country。 Here； in our view； is
the danger that the nation has most to apprehend。 The result is
as plain as it is lamentable。 In effect； it throws the political
power of the entire Republic into the hands of the intriguer； the
demagogue； and the knave。 Honest men are not practised on by such
combinations； but； with a fatality that would seem to be the very
sport of demons； there they stand； drawn up in formidable array；
in nearly equal lines of open and deriding hostility； leading
those who no longer conceive it necessary to even affect the
semblance of respect to many of the plainest and most important
of the principles of social integrity that have ever been
received among men。
Anyone familiar with the condition of Europe must know； that
under the pressure of society in that quarter of the world； and
toward which we are fast tending by a rapid accumulation of
numbers； the present institutions of America； exercised under the
prevalent opinions of the day； could not endure a twelvemonth。
That which is now seen in France rendering real political liberty
a mere stalking…horse for the furtherance of the projects of the
boldest adventurers； would inevitably be seen here； the bayonet
alone would be relied on for the preservation of the nearest and
dearest of human rights。 There could and would be no other
security for the peace of society； and that circle of power
which； rising in the masses； ends in the sceptre of the single
despot； would once more be made as it might be in derision of all
our efforts to be free。
｛now seen in France = following the French Revolution of 1848
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte （1808…1873）； nephew of the first Emperor
Napoleon； had been elected as President of France and was
consolidating his powerin December 1851； shortly after Cooper's
death； he would proclaim h