The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-06

The Past Electlon-Tuture Prospects.
We have just emerged from the Red Sea. In a
few days we will be able to contemplate in perfect
peace and Stiffness the scene of that conflict which
| Tor the last six months has agltated the whole
land, aud covered it with much that was disgrace.
| u and revolving; and the prospect clear aud I'M
clouded will lie before us OF that better era OF three
or four years, on which we have at last entered.
The violence folly--reck essness- demora.
lizalion of both parties, from the beginning 10 the
end of the contest, rapidly drawing TO final
close. have been such as filled the breast Of
every intelligent and true patriot with the most
painful feelings. The feroclous and madden
ed violence with which all the factions have
prosecuted the past campaign was, we believe,
altogether unexampled in this country. Who
that recalls the vituperation, the calumny, the
forgeries, the fasehood, the bIasphemous admir-
ture of religion and immortality, the Gendish ma.
levolence, the utter unscrupuousness Of the party
presses throughout the Union, can avoid express
ing the most devour qualification that this dis
graceful warfare has been ended, and that the
reign Of decency, virtue and ssbriety has again
commenced9 But let the past not be forgotten
Now is the time to enforce it's Lesson We have
contest, and we intend hereafter referringto it al
length, in order 10 expose to men, when they have
cooled down into rational and rejecting beings,
the folly and wickedness into which they have
been led by the accursed spirit of par..nsh,r, and
and if possible to impress upon them the duty
of preserving themselves and their country from
like disgrace in all time to come. We do indeed
erventIy trust that this painful but incumbent duty
aalt Aa
men--as members Of christian civilized commu-
nity-as American citizens, the people Of this land,
Of all parties, are bound now that the day of go
briefly has come, reflect deeply on the past, and
in repentant spirit to make high and noble re-
solves ofconductn the future, more in accordance
with their great responsibilities and exalted privi
leges. The past conflict from the manner in which
it has been conducted, is sad blot and blur upon
the character Of the republic. 1t did indeed seem
as if the hopes of the true friends Of liberty were
about to be blasted. Every principle Of genuine
repubcanism appeared to be disappearing in the
swollen tide Of RIGHTEOUSNESS. But the storm has
at last subsidized, and timely repentance with its
blessed fruits, may soon atone for the folly and
crime of the past.
There is, surely, everything in the aspect Of af-
fairs Just now, to induce men to conduct worthy
of American citizenship. We are indeed highly
favored people Whilst the wall of millions Of OPP
pressed men is ever coming to our ears across the
Atlantic-whilst the arrival of every vessel from
the shores of the ancient world brings US tdlngs Of
the physical restitution of our fellow men-whilst
every newspaper from those lands repeats to US the
sad story Of the regal magni6cence OF successful
tyranny, and the hunger, thirst and nakedness Of
sho vc,I lcoL oh ~
hertance, and behold ON every hand the soul
gladdening evidences Of unexamped national and
individual prosperity. The teeming earth offers
us its fruits with boundless proiusion. Unshackled
industry everywhere reaps il due reward. On all
hands human enterprise is invited into new and pro-
6table channels. The whole land seems to shout a
loud hosan1ah to peace and liberty. Such is the
present Who can paint the greatfuture that awaits
us ? Never has 1t y entered into the mind ct
the warmest lover of fire institutions TO conceive
adequately the power, prosperity and glory that
in store for free America, if she be faithful to
her trust And there is the solemn consideration
which should press ever on the mind Of the good
citizen. Alas it is the consideration which is
least Of all remembered.
Here is the source of the evil which most we
have to dread. With nations, as with individuals,
to whom great prosperity is given, narrow sell
6shness-a cold, witherny, blasting selishness, is
apt TO creep in and fasten itself upon them, de-
stroying every holy aspiration, every generous
emotion, every pure and exalted principle ef duty.
Already this spirit dwells amongst vs. Like the
very air we breathe, thaJ from its universally,
ceases TO be recognized as blessing, the
liberty which we possess is regarded with
a cold, heartless, and calous indifference
Mean and petty objects of day-the election OF
some ofhciat-the triumph OF clique-ihe getting
up Of procession-lhe inscription on a painted
fag-a thousand mean and inconsiderablc subjects
divert the thoughts Of men from the grea, work OF
manhood and freedom which lies before us Was
it only that we should be fed and clothed, and
made rich in our generation, that this heritage OF
liberty has been given unto Us? 1t is sad matter
that many in our midst will iail to echo an indg
nant "no." But there Is thank Heaven, goodly
number who have not so learned the duties OF
American citizenship, who know and feel that they
have been set here for the defence and extension
Of liberty-that their sympathiss to 60 out and
embrace all men, irrespective OF creed and name
and lineage-that the glorious institutions Of this
land are to be sustained With firnness but modera.
ton-wih zeal, but with sobriety- with jealousy,
but with generous devotion Let all good citi-
zens then improve the years of repose allotted 70
them now, and employ ali their energies in promo
ting the interests of the country-its commerce, III
science, its literature, its artsall that embel-
sh and ornament Terminated at the same time
by the genuine, liberal, and open hearted spirit Of
freemen worthy of that name
One GOOD REsULT-OEFEAT OF THE POLITICIANS.
One good result at least has happened in this poll
teal contest According to all probability, if Mr..
Polk should be elected, it may be considered .
general defeat Of all the intriguing politicians Of the