New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-28
THE CURFEIV OF THE NORTH.


SIR; Eight hundred years ago the Jfrte SarOr was
brought into objection to the treacheous aud cruel
Norman. The simple administration Of laws at the
popular assembly, presided over by the local magis-
trate, was transmitted into peadngs in an uncouth and
foreign language, and the assizes of royal Justices in
Eyre; the title to land abrogated and the feudal
tenure introduced, by which knight.servce was made
the condition of propnetorshp to large estates, and
all lesser Interests converted into tenances at Will
Finally az a consummatiOn of servtude at the sound
of the bell at sunset the peasantry, manly Saxon
reeholders, were bound TO extinguish their fires, re-
tanning only the privilege Of rejecting in solitary dark
upon their bondage.
1t needs prophet to foreeil that the aristocracy
of cur Southern States whose boast ia flat they are
desc ended from English Cavaliers aud who profess
hold in small account the domestic and manly virtues
and religious principles which the Colonists Of New
England derived from their Puritan ancestry will be
found 10 have inherited the arbitrary spirit and disregard
Of public faith and private rights which reused the
Commons of England to bloody resistance in 1910.
Already we see that spirit exhibited in the course
of proceeding g adopted to obtain unhaowed power,
commencing in the breach of honorary obligation, and
ending in acts Of violence and oppression.
II will Of course be understood that in speaking thus
We include only the politicians who have taken upon
them to represent public opinion and direct public
measures ut the South. But so far as respects the
safety and tranquility of the country it is the same
thing az there was no other class II the voice of
the people is suppressed and these sef-nominaed die
tators are alone to be heard have already prac.
teal illustration of misre foreshadowing what would
70 low from the ascendancy of such men in Federal
Government. Even now the presumption Of citizens
Of the Free States in the assertion Of their night to
liberty Of opinion and the expression Of that opinion in
the choice Of their rulers is denounced nsurrec-
tionary, and which if it cannot be subdued by the
strong arm of power is held TO be sufficient ground
for The subveison Of the Government itself by which
is clearly intended that anarchy is preferable to the
restrant of law the principle that in the former
of violence would be to gain ascendancy over
peaceful citizens who have their affairs to attend
TO- and have neither time nor inclination to contend for
political power.
Akin to the spirit that by threats would coerce the
free opinions Of the people of the North il the resort
to all the low arts by which the expression Of popular
feeling may be suppressed.
The developmt nts in the late Pennsylvania election
is startling, and yet might have been expected; and We
be prepared for reteration of the same nquities
in Neutrality-suspicious. an increase, as the necessity
NAV be found greater. While the Democratic pro-
cession passing through the streets Of this city,
few days since could not but think how significant
the exultaon Of that ignorant multitude WAS of the
ferociOus triumphs which would be displayed ii ever
the false Democracy of the North Should succeed 10
throwing the whole power Of the country into the
hands Of the Southern oligarchs
II il melancholy to think that every Individual in that
multitude ignorant and depraved though he may be,
foreign perhaps his birth and utterly unacquanted
with the principles upon which the welfare OF the
country depends and hostile il may be to those prln
cpes if he does understand them equal in the power
which be may exercise by his vote to the most nteLl
gent and upright man in the community.
Ofthis, indeed. is useless TO complain. We enjoy
our freedom with the contingency of s oss by the acts
of u numerical majority. Ii behooves al men, there
fore who have a regard to the common good 10 look
carefully at the influences which may pervert the Pop
ular mind; and this, | think only be done by
guarding against the corruption OF individual character
man Who has nothing but political bus iness to attend
to-I mean the management Of elections-ought to be
Stunned by all honest men. II il were possible, De
should have the mark of Cain put upon him. that be
might be known ploter against the welfare OF his
country.
It's lesson 10 be deduced from these principles
that nothing in public affairs be matter OF ndif-
ference. To ray that you have nothing to do with
politics, if by that you mean that YOU don |
vote nor express an opinion upon public Affairs
ia II NOT saying that you DO not discharge Inc
duty deyolving upon You as citizen In en-
sis BIKE that which Is now pending. to BE inli-
ent is token that the worst tyranny would be
submitted TO rather than be at e trouble OF resistance
We have lesson that all who feel that ciiikeh
has duty to perform as such, should perform Il WIN
consc ientcus recttude and should not ot deferred
therefrom by any mere private pecunarY mo'''eo'
selfish indulgence Of love Of ease and di'incinAon
TO incur trouble TIE elements If corruption ar 81
largely interminged with public affairs ina, HI
perativey demands the ccncurng acton o al n'he''
considerable number Of our citizecs have seemsd
o tee. 81 apprehension tbst :ls ProspeHt! oi tie