The New York herald., 1845-08-04
The Heart and Health or the Republic.

Post-Master and not directly TO the Post-Ofnce, ma
led 10 much confusion and no inconsiderabe trouble
The Heart and Health or the Republic.
Mr. Lyell, the eminent geologist, in his recently
published notes of travel in the United States, point
edly alludes to fact TO which we have repeatedly
made reference, and illustrated in a variety OF
views, social and political; and that is the exist
encc in this country OF great, independent army
of neutrals, who stand aloof from the whirl and
hustle of party politics, mlngle not with any OF
the ultra movements of the day, but yet constitute
the conservative influence of the nation, communi-
eating an influence pervading, heathful, and IRE
sislble in all important matters pertaining to the
government civilization, and all the social move
ments of the time. This interesting fact is one no,
likely TO escape the notice of practised and pho-
sophie observer, but it has been altogether overlook
ed by your ignorant and affected steamboat tours ts
who of the and violent party journals m
of the country, and the conversation in the bar
rooms Of hotels and taverns, undertake to manu-
facure volumes on the social and political condition
of the people of the United States. According to
them the politics ofthe country are controlled entire
lyby unprincpled and selfish men, who are politicians
by trade and if we were to believe these same vera
clous observers the practical effect OF our democra-
tic institutions has been to level the whole commu-
nifty down to a mobocrscy, under whose relentless
despotlsm all the influences and virtues that adorn
and purify seclety have perished. As we may now
very comfortably assure ourselves that Texas, Ore
gon and California are ours, and as is time enough
10 sg'tate the subugation ot the Canadas, It may
not be arniss to direct the attention OF readers
little particularly TO the subject which has been
agreeably presented atresh TO mind by
The discriminating and candid remarks of Mr.. Lyeli.
Of whom is this great neutral class composed
What is its practical influence What assurance
does It's existence give of the continued and In
creased prosperity of the republic How is il TO be
best operated upon, to become still more in
tluentia? These questions by means of
trivial import interest, either 10 the statesman
the politician, the disinterested patriot. Let US
then endeavor TO find some answer to them.
This conservative intluence-for such we need
not hesitate to designate it's composed chiefly OF
the mechanical and agricultural industry of the coun-
try. In city and in country, there thousands and
tens Of thousands of intelligent, hard working men
well informed in all the duties and privileges of citi
zenship, but whose voices never heard in the po
lltical assemblage. They look with undissembled
scorn the miserable hacks who follow politics for
always in the shambles, ready to be bought or sold
for a price. The great masses of the farmers be
long to this neutral class. They, it is true, are nc
idle and inactive spectators, when the decisive
struggle questions of great public concemmen
arrives, but it is not from them that the ranks o
brawling, and schemng, and rapacous partlzanshi
are recruited The lawyers-the party editors-th,
indolent drones-the broken down merchan,-ths
pft1c loo - Il i
compose the molly and exer-restess crowd of part,
politicians. And in the noise, and splu'tcr, and VIC
lence of this class, the superficial observer forget
the existence of that mighty and controlling powe
OF independent opinion which exists in gher an
cl-arer atmosphere. In this conservative class W
must include large portion of the adopted citizens
Notwithstanding all the fuss and fanfaronade OF d,
signing demagogues, who seek, out of the bigotrie
and preudices of their fellow men, to serve the II
terests OF their own ambition and selfshness, tn
great mass of the Irish and German populatio
maintain dignifed and appropriate forbearanc
and silence in the political agtatons of the country
Its only In the large cities, where small demagogue
pervert the best and most worthy feelings and syn
pathies of these casses of citizens to their owl
base ends, that find them stepping out of the
sphere to which their instructive views Of the du
tempting distinctive organizations, which are ustl
to be regarded as reprehensible and inimlcal to
publican institutions. But in estimating the consti
tuent elements of that independent influence whicl
counteracts the evil tendencies of mere party poll
tics, it would be unjust to omit reference to hur
dreds Of thousands of intelligent, hberty-loving cit
zens who have found in this land those blessings {
free government and that full reward of toll and il
.1r Lol
other climes.
Here we find the great check TO the violence, ii
folly and the madness of the mere politician. In tt
solid ,.sound, practical common sense of these ind
pendent masses, the prosperity and perpeuity Of oil
institutions have their surest safeguard. In thes
calm, thoughtful prudent Millions the hope and col
idence OF the friends Of republican America ma
safely repose. No scheme OF personal ambition
however cunnlngy devsed-no plot Of party, how
ever shrewdly arranged, can be successfully carrie
out to the detriment of the general welfare SO Ion
rs this controlling influence exists. The rabid an
prsjudced opponents of free institutions seize vii
malicious Joy upon every indication of party vioene
which presents itself in this country In the fierc
and bitter feuds Of the party politiciens-in ii
beastly SANDERS and calumnies which fiji the par
journalism the vindictive and malignant strife an
struggle for office which continually goes on among
us-the supporters Of the hoary despotisns OF EuroI
wonld tain persuade themselves that the tokens
our decay and fall are seen. They see but the fro
and scum on the surface of the broad and rapi
stream. Beneath are the clear, deep waters-w
denlng and deepening as they flow soon to sprea
out into the vast ocean-lake, whose bosom. nure 8
the sunbeams that dance upon it, mirrors back IN
heavens.
Gradually. within the last few years, this gres
conservative influence has been creating for itself
Inouth-piece and an organ. In the cheap indepen,
ent press, the mighty independent masses OF the PEI
e find the truthful echo Of their sentiments and op
MONS With peculiar pride and satisfaction we a.
knowledpe that IN this fuenfial caee of The co,,