New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-31

Of great importance to be considered, but am afraid
Pave already respassed too long uPon your patience
The considerations am going to present have, must
confess operated very powerfully on myself, In leading
me To the course have taken; for, have told you,
discard all personal considerations in matter of this
grave and important character TO the country.
Whoevcr has auentively viewed the course OF public
enHrs emong us Gust have percey ed that the standard
oil quahcaii IN for high Offices has been gradually low
ereo 1t has been and felt and deeply deplo ed
The natural consequence has been, that the bonds OF
government are relaxed, and becoming more and
more loose. Treason Is no longer in public estimation
what treason was some thirty forty years ago II
thy Is not owing to any prejudice the part OF the
pcort Bgninst the most ALE and efficient men, for he
reasons have already xpained.
But, whatever may be the cause, every good man
must be Impressed with the importance of furnishing
some adequate and speedy remedy.
There is tendency under all tree Governments 10
great vafy OF opinions, especially public affairs
Nhen eh are free to speak aud think, they will think
oinerehtly Many men VIII have many minds. Where
there Is one man OF large and comprehensive grasp Of
mind, there are hundred active sharp subtle, but
narrow nielects. The pride of opinion in these men
is always tie strongest They look only at one side
and hence they see difficulties As Sir William
Temple says, Their own reason they make the GER
tain standard of Truth and their own knowledge of
what is possible in Nature"
In all free governments, the central power must be
less weakened, and tlat of the local municp4
ties increased This lie requisite, in order to spread
among the people practical knowledge OF public a.
and nj fnern 70 watch tie.r
liberties But the natural result of il is 10 multiply in
definitely among the people, divisions OF opinion upon
public affairs Party spirit is thus engendered and
becomes continually more and more prevalent Pa.
iro,isn which is supposed to be the great and essential
element Of Republicanism yields TO the influences of
these divisions and give up TO party what belongs
to their cCnntry Hence the maxim so often met with
In political writings, that faction AID dscord are the
bane of all republics These political divisions lead TO
general hcentOusness aid men OF proprety OF charac
ter f peaceful and conservative dispositions, become
ready 10 take refuge in some strong Government We
see il exemplfed in the a.e French Republic.
But when this popular dssenson assumes a setiond!
character the danger is increased and broug nearer
sectons enlisted against sections 1t is not onya
contest bewe pares but between parties occupying
separate and large territories 81 the country Annosity
is hence douby increased, and responsibility in the
same ratio dimni. he'd II this Government should fall,
it will more probably break up into sectional fragment
long before party -ceniiousness prepares the public
mind for the introduction of a stronger government
Whist is the remedy We are unwilling To increase
the power Of the General Government But we may
increase it. moral power aud iuhnence-and that 10 to
be done by raising instead of lowering the standard OF
qualification for high Offices. This is not to be done by
dusng the idea that the bet qualified is too great
for the people Act in public affairs as every prudent
man does in his private att airs. Employ those best quail
ied and fitted for the business to be done. This
dy will be found eiiectual. We have only 10 look back
upon our past political history. Whenever great
mind has been at the head of this Government he has
been able TO carry ON the Government with most eff
ceLcy, notwithstanding party discussions Such Was
the care with Washington and Jefferson.
Does any believe that this remedy, or that any
remedy at all Is net needed We have, am aware,
been accused people Of being little vain glorious
of thinking we can do anything and everything, and
yet hst under the influence of manifest destiny,
all will be safe Let no one suppose are exempted
from the common lot OF humanity. Let no one take
that fattering junction. TO his soul.
There is but one further topic and on that will de-
tain Jou bu: very short time And that's in reference
our Foreign Relations Society in Europe
be IN a
in society out Of the DID, and acquiring influence ia the
state This causes, from time to time, general up
heaviDg OF the moral elements. Has 1t ceasedf Ger
tainy not will tinue as long as mankind continue
10 advance in wealth and knowledge. Tney will adj
vance thus, while Improvements and new facilities Of
intercourse and commerce continue to be opened up.
Railroads. canals magnetic telegraphs are great reyo
luiiOnists
Changes in government becoming necessary by the
increase and extension OF knowledge and wealth.
be Effected without commction and conflict There
is speck Of in the European horizon 1t may not
burst forth this year the nex-and i. may ths year
after When il shall come, what will be conditions
If we avoid Intervention with them can we prevent
their intervention with Us We cout not do 1t IN the
long which do~ostosod I-ere a. 49, A." &c so
great Napoleon. Our proximity has since cnaps ca on
forty to ten days Suppose dlhcuues should arse we
must prepare for the oxigeDcy. II they threaten to
swce commerce from the ocean as they did before
we may ward off the threatened blow appeals to their
iustice by pointing out in clear and strong language the
falsy OF their views and the gross violation OF inter
national law, which their conduct would involve
clear and powerful eXposition OF the rei alutuue III
which we may stand may be OF immense value ooth In
reference to them and ours Ives
Let suppose such to arise and that the very
panic created should throw business in confusion
threaten general bankruptcy and parayze all opera
tons and that you ould be collected here as you now
are-hat in place OF the Chairman and myself this plat
form should he occupied by all the present candidates
for the Presidency and you bad time to hear speech
from one and only, of them-setting forth our
real position the dangers and difficulties we had to ap
prehend the best of avoiding them or the best
mode OF encounering them whom would you call QUIT
Whom would you wish 10 hear Cries OF Webster
Webster Is there man in the country who would
not want in such eXgency, TO hear him inprefer.
epcc 10 any other Yet told the people would
not put him in the appropriate place, from which his
opinions should emanse, because forsooth he Is too
q eat man. 1t is time that this sense,ess objection
Should be abandoned. Mr.. Wood sat down amid long
and loud cheering