New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-10

TIE only psrE Of our people who appeal to have
given much attention to tie history Of the war OF
1872. at all events the only part f them who oyince
any very vivid comprehension If ths Lessons tausht
BY it, disposition to profit by tbem, are tho gen.
tleu OF ambitious cf political dstinc,ion-a class, we
ars sorry to cay 0p to BIZ little too careless what
solt Of ladders ttcy provided only they can sue
re,d 10 climbing. Serious as were, in 1872, our
pouis of Coz trOyersy and dispute with Great Brit
ai1-sowe Of them of twenty years standing
nothing is nero certain than that the nation vas
pre5ipi,sted uio that war against lis sounder Judg-
mepi aud il spite Of the opinions and wshes OF It's
niscst staiesmen Ct both the then existing political
parties. That result was brought about BY set Of
ambitious yourg political leaders aho took adj
vantage Of popular passion 50 force themselves into
position at the head OF affairs, a d what is more
remarkable set, IN spite of the disasters Of the
war which they had brought on, and its total
failure to accomplish the objects for which it
wss undertaken, these authors of the war cue
cetJtd IN maintaining that position for all the
remsiufer OF their lives, aud not only that, but in
csttacizing all who rad opposed them. 1t is the
splendid political ard personal success thus at
tanned hy the promoters Of that war which lends 40
maty Of cur politicians Of to-day totally 10 ignore
the terrible trial ard sevsrs distress, aud even
danger, TO which the country wss subjected by il;
aud to compete with each other, as it were, in
throwing full "U the fire Of popular passion, sS
being a much shorter, easier and surer road TO po-
liticaI distinction and eminence than any puolis
services rendered, or wise ard rational course Of
policy proposed or deferded
Not Only was the war of 1912 undertaken against
the rlOst decided opposition Of tho Federal party,
which embraced a very large share, ani in all the
Northern States at least, prepondeiating share OF
tie intelligence, property aud virtue OF the country,
il was undertaken no lees against the real sent-
nents and intimate convictions Of all the older and
unre Trusted leaders and Of the better portion OF
the very Democratic party by which It's response
biiy vas assured. Jefferson, the great chief,
ard for some twenty years preceding The deci4ra-
ton Of war the apostle, We NAV say, OF the Dem
ocrstic party, though he had strong anilpathles
sgan.! Enelnod, AID very keen sense OF national
vrorg suffered at her hands, never had any inten-
tcu or Ssh to resort TO war as means oil redress
War. unless absolutely defensive, was utterly a5-
bor;.nt 10 biz whole political system. With war
must come armies, navy, public debts, extra7a-
gait Expenditures, Il System Of administration
cpe ipg the way to all that favoritism, corruption
sod REGULATION sgsiDs. which be and all bis
party had so vigorously and yehementy protested
a. being the substratum Of the political sys-
ten, # their Federal opponents. l. was with
the intention Of avoiding war that Jefferson hal
re.orted to the policy of commercial restrictions,
going even to the extent Of general embargo by
which our ships were entirely withdrawn from the
ocean. Ths policy Of commercial restriction, tried
in various Shapes failed indeed in the coercve effect
eYpected from it; but even after this failure, Pres
dent Madi,on aud bis Cabinet decided msjorty
even Of the Democratic members OF Congress, had
TO intention Of rt.orting 10 war There had indeed
b, en- all along a certain number Of violent spirits
With whom hatred Of Crest Britain, roused by the
revolutionary struggle, or sucked in with their
mothers mix during that imbittered contest, aud
kindlsd up from time 10 time BY new azgtessons,
overrued esey consideration of prudence. Thsrs
were others to whom territorial acquisitions in
Ca adj. sid prospect Cf great gains " b made By