The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-30
American Politics.


lecture American politics delivered before the
Mercantile Library Association, at Clinton Hail. Astor
place, by j. H. Wainwright The attendance small.
The lecture commenced by review Of the which
have brought about the present era of party msrule
He traced the political history Of the country previous
the Revolution and argued that the colonsts would
have emancipated themselves had the mother
country granted to them half of their demands. They
feared burning homesteads the penalties Of treason and
the cruelties of hied sodiery How great must have
been their patriotism who warred against such oppos
ton. Their politics not such They meant
patriotism when they said politics. They had selfish
ideas struggled for their country and their posterty
They had to plough and SOW and die before the harvest
They did their work we'll but tares sprung in the field
And great mistake was made in admitting aliens
to equal rights with citizens. Liberty, under
stand it, is not socialism, communism, terrorism It
is simply the governed governing. But for time the
machine of government worked WELL and the aphorism
eernal vigilance is the price Of liberty lost sight
Of Our citizens occupied in enjoying the fruits of
freedom and left politics to these who had nothing bet
ter to do than engage in them or could do them II
Young America got periodically tight the Fourth of
July, he did his duty to his country. In consequence
the polls deserted-men elected who could
pay the most and promise the most Many Of the better
classes will have nothing to do with politics. or, If they
do keep secret possible II has been said that
dent-party feeling runs so high that President makers
tine ss
and the evils thus brought about are manifold The
lower classes Of our foreign population are generally
demagogue, and consolidated by religion In which
the priests the fountains Of all benefits iritua and
leaders, they form consolidated Not long ago,
three out of five Of the pubc offices in this city were
land Of his BIRTH and can it be doubted they would
defend It in we were engaged in war with it. But
he would not deprive the alien of all participation in our
government. Foreigners have rendered eminent ser
vices to this country but this reason why they
should tyranize over They should be educated to
repubcanism not allowed to w TX out the problems of
some sck1y sentimentalist leading to political chaos
and ruin There undoubtedly good foreign
the great bucket 1t is hardly possible that they
have at least until the second generation, such
an interest in the of the country as the
tives OF the SOIL Let them come but let them be salts
fed with enjoying the freedom offer them. But there
other causes which have brought about the present
in upon During the past year. have had to
condemn those whom before we delighted to honor.
The of the widow and orphan have gone against
financial swindlers and they have become outcasts
the face of the earth The great of this may
found in the imitation of European customs and moses
And from the disasters which have been upon
us by sea and land, 1t would seem II the Almighty
had showered his wrath upon We should attend to
the lessons of history The republic of Greece go
rous and prosperous while its citizens pracced frnga
lity and simplicity, If we do not attend to this
history seems prophetic when we view it in
comparison with our own. The Romans first
rebeIed against Tarquin, and formed pure repub-
lie. They then hardy, economical aud frugal But
as the republic grew wealthy IL grew luxurious, and
from that and the admission OF aliens the privileges Of
citizens may date the downfall of Rome True, the
prophecy has not been fulfilled We have not yet ceased
to be republic; but Cato and Cicero have been
banshed by the people, who refused to reward them in
state. And If It is desired whom they have
been banished, look at present government [The
lecturer made eloquent alusion to Mr. Webster and
Mr. Clay When we see the state Of things in the Old
World, should We not look about usY We surround.
ed by internal dssensiops and The doctrine of
dsunion-the pet treason Of some Americans-is rife
among us. Alien demagogues proclaiming the doc.
trne OF foreign socasts-aen bands parade streets
in riotous mobsrepresented abroad by those who
disgrace to us at home giving Europeans understand
and therefore obliged TO choose from such scounde
The old governments composed OF arstocraces but
we are governed by insovent foreign minority In
reference to the to be adopted to reform these
abuses the lecturer called the young Of America
to awake from their lethargy and defend the glorious
inheritance OF their fathers. And have not yet
arrived at the elimination of destiny Our govern
ment il susceptible OF imitess expan and there may
be some now living who will yet the spanged
banner waving from the where sleeps the magnet
to whom such words should be particularly addressed
those whose wealth gave them opportunity TO take
active part in the legislation. That wealth which
was now thrown upon the gambling table, squandered
should be better employed. The young of America
should see that the candidates for Office such will
do their duty ably and periodically Let every young
nsn take personal interest in politics, and the word
Will no longer be a misnomer Then the republic viii
longer glory in her mines Of California her great
cessioDs Of territory; but may like the Roman matron,
point TO her sons and say, these are my jewels"