The New York herald., 1844-09-03
NEW YORK; HERALD.


and the character OF It's people, by tho press o.
Great Britain. We really cannot resist the con
vlctisn that the greater portion of the violent anc
savage yituperation and calumny which are poured
ont against Us on the other side of the Atlantic,
are but the mercenary and inc vitable result of the
daily efforts of the party press and party politicians
OF the United States. Is it at all 10 be wondered
at, that with our party newspapers teeming with
the vilest personalities-with the whole people ap-
parenty absorbed IN a contest about men, perfectly
regardless of the great and solemn principles on
which their liberties repose, the sdversaries oifree
government should take advantage OF our weak
nesses and folies, out of our own mouths, con-
victing us OF unfahuness 10 the great trust which
has been committed to our hands
The present is certainly one of those crises, in
which it becomes the urgent duty Of all who really
love freedom and appreciate the excellence Of those
institutions under which this western world has,
within the last half century, bounded TO greatness
and renown, transcending in interest and dignity
even that of Imperial Rome, to address to men
few words of truth and soberness in relation to
their privileges and their duties. The whole coun-
try is at present heaving and aboring under an ag-
tation, which pervades every portion of society
You cannot find single spot free from this con-
vusive influence Everywhere the indications Of
pretty excited state Of popular feeling mani
fest. And whyl What great revolution is in pre-
gress? What principles Of universal interest and
value are threatened? What great question of i'm
portance 10 this nation and; TO the human family
awaits for its decision the result of this agonized
parturiton? The ragged news-boy will tell you
that all this Is struggle between Clay and Polk,
and the grave statesman, who rushes from the
councll-chamber TO address bar-room mob, will
give you but the same reply. "Clay" and "Polk"
-"Polk" and "Clay"-this is the only response
which the inquirer receives in any quarter, where
he would attempt 10 ascertain the causes OF that
agitation which dls!racts and divides the country
from the centre to all its extremties.
A popular contest thus waged merely about men-
with no nobler aims than the qualification OF party
feeling, the elevation of some personal friend to
Office or the chance OF securing some petty appoint
ment, must of necessity be conducted in such a
manner as to afford ample materials for sarcasm,
reproach, and witherlng rebuke on the part OF the
enemies of popular system OF civil government.
Now, surely an enlightened and rejecting consi-
deralion of the duties Of American citizenship will
suggest some more appropriate and becoming
course of action than this Surely if the minds of
men were allowed to review the past-to feel the
influence of that patriotic spirit which, thank Hea
ven, is not yet extingushed-far from ito reflect
calmly and solemny on the mighty trust which has
been placed in the hands OF American treemen, we
would see far less of this low, vulgar, abusive
squabbling about men. which disgraces the political
now, and far of the lofty, patriotic, and
honorable effort for the advancement of human
liberty all the world oveY which characterized the
men of the last generation.
The great and prevalent delusion which has had
much to do with the political degradation so great
ly to be deplored, is, the belief, practically acted
upon every day in the year by the great masses of
the people, that The founders of the Constitution
accomplished the great work given them to do
that their posterty have nothing to do but enjoy
the fruits OF that great labor, quietly sitting, each
man under his vine and fig-tree, having none to
make afraid. grosser delusion never led people
away from duty. The work in which George
Washington and his compatrots toied, and
fought and bled, counting not their lives too
costly sacrifice so that II was conduct
ed to its consummation of glory and blessed
ness, was by them but commenced. They laid
the foundation stone of the great superstruc-
ture of human liberty; on their posterlty has de-
volved the duty Of carrying on the work-a work
never to be ended till in all lands the sceptrc OF
despotlsm be broken, and all men be free. If this
enlarged and comprehensive view Of the privileges
and duties of American citizenship were taken by
the people OF this land, our political movements
would present widely different aspect from that
painful one which characteristics them now. If the
minds of men were thus properly impressed with
true sense of duty-if their spirits were associated
by that glowing spirit Of universal benevoence, and
that ardent love of universal liberty which fired
the breasts of those whom we dare to call our
glorious ancestry, how different would then
be our political gatherings, and our party news
papers, and our political agltators! We would
not then witness the citizens OF this land split up
into fercey contending factions, fighting about
man, and dlsgracing themselves and the country
by vulgar personalities, and all the disgusting and
insensate mummery OF party. Nor would we
then find blgots who could stand in the face of
Heaven and OF all men, declaring that the gates
of this great asylum for the oppressed of other
lands must be closed, and that none but they were
in future TO drink OF the pure streams OF freedom
and social happiness No. Ifthe citizens of this land
all understood their dues-dutles TO the discharge
of which every blessing and privilege bestowed by
the institutions under which it their happiness to
live is pressing admonition-the malignant foes
of free government would look in vain for those
materials of censure, ridlcule and reproach which
unhappily now exist in abundance and the infu-
ence of the example exhibited by the United
States to the people of the ancient world would,
in a single year, effect more in the advancement
of human liberty than it does now in quarter Of
century. Reader, whrllng in the vortex Of party
politics, will youthink for one moment of this brief
passing word of admonition
The CORPORATION ATTORNEY We perceive by
the proceedings of the Board Of Assistant Alder
men, on last evening, that this learned functlonary
is at oggerheads with the Comptroller and the
Corporation-having refused to account with the
Board of Common Council since his appointment