Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16


the reflections of a man of observation and
thought; and there are tens of thousands in
our country whose thoughts and feelings are
therein reflected and expressed, and tens OF
thousands are now daily asking themselves
and their neighbors the very question the
writer puts, namely, where is the remedy
for all this evil.
POLITICAL REFLECTIONS.
In CHANGING over the present disordere6
state of the country, the painfully Illuminating
inference presents itself that the patriotic
spirit of the country has suffered general de-
cline and deterioration, or that the race OF
giant intelects has become utterly extinct.
The great fortress which protects the way to
the peace, prosperity and happiness of this
people has again been assailed, and breach
made but no master-mind stands in that
breach as of yore, with profound argument
and impassioned eloquence laundering forth
the great principles of our government and the
practical policy of its administration. What
remains of all the wisdom, science and art OF
parties save the cunning of strategeticsS All
gone. Nothing remains save the unnecessary
and mischievous issues which the special Plead
ers of PAL ty have prepared with much ingenui-
w, and which they are endeavoriDg with an
excess of perverse zeal to force upon the at
tention Of the country, whilst interests of the
highest moment, and demanding immediate
action, are neglected or ignored altogether
The time was not long since, when questions
affecting the national interest md honor, were
met boldly and promptly, and the remedy for
the evil applied. Now we have nothing save
abstract disqui,itions on the theory Of public
or private morals inquiries and conclusions as
to the comparative value of free and servile Ia
Dor, or, worse still, fierce assaults and unseen
ly denominations banded about between OPP
posing factions, as they stand defined on the
nations map, by the paltry and unpatriotic
marks of mere geographical boundaries, as if
intelligence and virtue were indigenous to given
loclilIes.
Upon what principles shall we strive to ac-
count for the extraordinary intellectual barren
ness of powerful thought and comprehensive
policy which is perceptble in our legislative
halls both State and national, and in other de.
parments of governments The rigorous drill
and discipline of the professional politicians,
organized into species of unholy hierarchy
in regular subordlnation to despotic leaders,
have cramped and fettered the free genius of
great min s, as well as DISTINGUISHED the peo-
pie of their observation-disclosures. Their ty ran
ny has ostracised our greatest and purest
statesmen. Mediocrity is the only passport to
positions of honor and trust. Eminent SER
vices, brilliant eloquence, varied learning, far
sighted policy, worldwide fame, are all so
many insurmountable obstacles in the way of
political preferment, for to be known to the
people is to be ignored by brawling, intriguing
political loafers. Corruption rules supreme
Talents, fame, honor, conscience, relgion-all
have become subservient to the interests of
party, and must bow at the bidding of its
chosen chiefs. The self-assumed high priests
and oracles of faction demand from all an I'M
conditional surrender, an absolute submission
to the authority of party, in the name OF party
and for the sake of party. Such is the exact
condition of political parties, and what are the
specific differences which exist between the
two prominent parties of this country at the
present time? There are none, save factional
attributes, to distinguish them in real elassifi-
cation from each other, and their very names
are mere unmeaning echoes from the mighty
voice of the past. And what an aspect do
these two parties present The rank and file
of the one, modern Democracy, is differed and
commanded by their ancient enemies Wings,
Free-soilers, Abolitionists, Nullifers, Know
Nothings and Secessionists. And this coal-
ton of hostile and heterogeneous elements, I'M
der the popular euphonious appellation of De-
mocracy cannot boast single principle, save
opposition to Black Republicanism. And
Black Republicans they too appeal to party or
ganization to act as unit in wagiDg relent-
less war upon the slavery power of the South.
Their cry, too, is sectional. These are the
parties which are generating strife that must
eventually consume the vitals OF this Republic
Even now the attention of the country is CEN
tered upon furious sectional war. No i'm
pertant measure of a national character can
obtain even a respectable hearing. At this
very moment there are questions affecting our
national interest and honor, wholly over
Swallowed by the black cloud Of slavery dis
cussion. As the roar Of the tempest becomes
louder, and the darkness thickens DER the
land, every noble principle every time-hallow-
ed institution, every generous aspiration of the
human observation-disclosures conservatism,
true Democracy-nay, the principles and
practice of our most no y religion, must ali bow
their faces in the dust until the deadly sirocco
shall have passed by. The minds of the PEG.
pie are excited and absorbed in this sectional
strife. Rebellion and war upon our own soil
is unheeded. International law is trampled
upon. The army and navy, the Pacific Rail-
road, and other measures of vital importance
are neglected.
Where is the remedy for all this evil2 1t is
with the people, the real people, the power and
pride of the country. The mechanic with his
tools, the farmer behind his pillow, the merchant
beside his ledger, the physician with his pa
ITEMS, the clergyman at his desk. These
must come forward and cashier their party
leaders, and Danish into obscurity all the dem
ons of disunion and sectional strife-those
who, like the unclean spirit Of old, would enter
into the heart Of the Constitution, only TO
throw it upon the ground and tear il to pieces.
Every sovereign citizen must learn to assert
his right, fearless Of party, or Athe threat Of
political brawlcrs. Turn deaf ears to the wild
battle cries Of slavery, slavery, slavery, and
with the theory for your law that your fathers
framed this government for their own happi-
ness and the hopes Of their children, and not to
realize tho airy dream Of universal philanthro-
Ply and the no less idle and impossible abstrac-
ton OF universe, equality, move onward to a
glorious destiny. Better were it thousand
times that an earthquake should rock our
country like cradle, and swallow Kansas;
better that pestilence with fiery sword should
aweep every negro from the sunny fields Of the
South--nay, that the African race should be-
-