Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-06-10


stated. 10 | wanted n commander 10
lead our army TO The field. and to raise
our standard upon the loiticst battle
mcnis OF the enemy | W Md select Gen
,.eral Scott. u wanted Il naval oliicer
10 condurt our fleet over the mountain
wuve, and ulIurl our flag To tie battle
and The breeze, Coninn dore Stockton
should be my man. II wanted Cher
Executive ,iIicer Of The Government TO
carry the country safely through all
political con.motions and difficulties at
home and abroad. and by his profound
sta'esmanship elevate the glory oi his
country among The nations oi The earth,
and give ucm assurance of man. !
would present you with Daniel Webster.
Immense cheering.
! have now, gentlemen, pointed out
the dliicut,. The remedy will nj once
suggest itself to all you. IL Is 10 re-
move that difficulty. Let the notion be
discarded that the people Of this coun-
try cannot distinguish and appreciate
their greatest public man. If this is
done and he is presented as n candidate
before that people, his election is sure
Every effort should be made by every
right-lhinking man 10 put down this
gross and dangerous heresy.
Whoever has attenlivcly viewed the
course Of public affairs among us must
have perceived that the standard of
qualification for high Offices has been
gradually lowered. 1t has been .een
ard felt, aud deeply deplored. The
natural consequence has been that the
bonds Of Govenent are relaxed, and are
becoming more and more loose. Trea-
son is no longer, in public estimation,
what treason was some thirty or forty
years ago. 1t certainly is not owing
to any prejudice IN the part OF the
People against the most able and efficient
men. for the REASONS have alreacy ex-
planned
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 free
Governments To great variety Of
opinions, especially on public affairs.
When men are Tree to speak and think,
they will think differently. Many men
will have many minds. Where there
is one man oi IA large and c0mprehen-
sive grasp Of mind, there are hundred
active, sharp, subtle, but narrow intel
lects. The pride Of opinion IN these men
is always the strongest. They look only
al one side, and hen"e they see no dilii-
cuIlies. As Sir William Temple says,
" Their own reason tlcy make the GER
tain standard Of truth and their own
knowledge Of what is possible in ma
ture."
In all free Governments the central
power must be more or less weakened,
and ,ha, OF the local munich alitIes in
creased. This Is requisite IN order TO
spread among the people a practical
knowledge Of public Affairs. aud To pre-
pare and tit them TO watch over their
Liberties. b t the natural result OF il is
to multiply indefinitely among the pco-
pie divisions Of opinion upon public al
iai.s. Party spirit is thus engendcred,
and il becomes continually more prcva-
lent. Patriotism. which rs supposed to
be the great and essential element Of
republicanism, yields TO the Influences
Of these divisions, and men give up 10
party what belongs 10 their county,
Hence the maxim so often met with in
political writings, tha. faction and dis
cord are the bane Of III rcqabics.-
These political divisions lead TO general
liccntiousness. anu men of propricty of
character, peaceful and conservative
dispositions, becomes ready 10 take
refuge in some strong Government.
We see II cXcmplified III the late French
Republic.
But, when this popular dsscnsion as
sunes Spcfi0nm character. the danger is
increased and brought nearer. Sections
are enlisted against sections. Ii Is not
only contest between parties, but be-
tween parties Occupying separate and
large territories Of the country. Ami
mostly IL hence doubIy increased, and
responsibility in the same ratio diminish
ed. II this Government should fail, II
will more probably break up into sec
tional fragments long before party
licen,iousness prepares the public mind
for the power oi the General Govern
ment. But we may increase lis moral
power and influence and that is TO lie
done by raising instead of lowering the
standard of Qualification for high offices.
This is not TO be done by diffusing the
idea that the man best qualified is too
/. reat for the people. Act in public al
fairs as every prudent man does in his
private affairs. Employ those best
qualified and fitted for the business TO
tie done. This remedy will be found
etlectua. We have only 10 look back
upon our past political history. When
ever great mind has teen at the head
Of this Government he has been able To
carry on the Government with most
efficiency, notwithstanding party dlssen-
siuns. Such WAS the caee with Wash
iigton and Jefferson.
Does any one b, licvc that this remedy.
or that any remedy at all, is not need
ed We have, am aware, been ac-
cuscd as IA people Of beng little vain
glorious --ol thinking We can do amy
thing and every thing and yet, that,
under the influence Of our mar ilcst dcs-
tiny, all will be safe. Let no one sup
pose we are exempted from the COM
mon lot Of humanity. Let no one take
that ilattering unc,ion TO his soul.
There is but one further topic, and
! on that will detaln you but very
short time and that is in reference TO
our foreign relations. Society in Europe
seems to be in a transition stale. New
classes are sprInging up in society out ol
the old, and II, curing influence in the
State. This causes. from time 10 time,
general uphcaving Of the moral ele-
ments. Has il ceased 7 Certainly not.
IL will continue as long as mankind con
tlnue to advance in wealth aud know
ledge. They will advance thus while
improvements and new facilities of in
tercouse aud commerce continue 10 be