The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-21

What mas been the special cause of this change
we cannot say; it may be that our naturalizec
citizens, OF whom there are many, were confused
on the Lecompton issue, were dismayed ct the
rupture between Douglas and Buchanan, or i
may have been the general disorganization and
corruption OF the party, or the desire of change
that comes over US all at certain epochs. Ger
tainly there were no local issues, for we do moi
lay much stress upon the assertion that a GER
tain clique lorded it over the party, for that is
the universal discipline of Democracy and they
had their strongest man as candidate for Mayor
OF State reputation, long an oficeholder of the
General Government bosom friend of Doug
las, and OF very popular social qualities, and
the suboriinates were the strongest men their
party could present
AS to the State, we think it can be relied upon
to give its vote to Republican President, and
re-elecf Mr.. Trumbull to the United States Sen
ate. The Northwest will expect one of her citi.
zens to be presented as a candidate before the
next Convention, for the second if not the first
l git OF the people, and what other name can il
be but that of Abram Lincoln. Each section
OF the Union has its favorite men, but we know
of none whom the political excitement of the
times has thrown into more deserved notice
than Mr.. Lincoln, of this State. Lord Claren
don said of Hampden, that he insnuated his
opinions and objections, and without expecting
men, in the extended light and knowledge Of
the present day, to stand ont SO prominently
as did Hampden, we may say that there is
no dogmatism in Mr.. Lincoln, no bold asser
ton, unless it be of an immutable truth, ap
pealing rather to his hearers-a mode of argu
ment that carries with it great power, possesses
delicacy, and the very highest discernment. We
want men in public life not only OF honesty and
capability, but of republican simplicity and
plainness OF manners who will not ape the i'm
ported feudalsm of Europe. What would our
revolutionary sires, Roger Sherman, Samuel
Adams, even the Rutledges, Middletons, and
their like, think of the animus of public life at
this day in Washington-men whose dignity
snowy establishments, or the amount Of glitter
ing bauble they could put upon their wives and
daughters.
The corruption everywhere apparent, the
public plundering, the great men each intent
on their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, the clamor for
foreign territory to appease vagrant and law
less desire, or extend Slavery the opening of the
slave trade, have cOnspired to shake the con
hdence OF thinking men in our institutions
The homestead bill, the most benefcent meas
ure ever offered to our people, the agricultural
college bill, the improvement on the lakes,
were lost to the nation because they did no,
directly enure to the interests of the South
Public patronage is bestowed on the other side
of the Potomac, or to Northern men, not sim
ply of moderate views, but who must, incredibly
to all others, lay their offerings at the feet Of
the South alone. We cannot get Pacific rail
road near to any of the commercial cities be-
cause the South, the great Democratic strong
hold, is opposed to it. Now, this thing mus,
have an end, and the recent elections begin tc
show change--that there is q North as well as
South, free labor well as slave labor, that even
free-soll proclivities are not tetotally infamous
that minorities have rights-and all of which
concessions we hail most humbly and thankful
ly. In this great reformation, we want party
change, not more than the ascendency of good
men, in the public councils. Principles, and
not men, is scarce the highest inspiration that
should animate US. We should have them both
] but must look with suspicion upon the sustenta-
ton of measures, where the men are not disin.
! terested and reliable
ENGLISH IMMIGRArIoN.--The Hattering &C.
count of the agricultural capabilities of Illinois,
| given by Mr.. Card in the letters which we are
now publishing; the favorable report as to the
general desirableness of the country, which Mr..
Golden will carry back to England, together
with the known cheapness of Illinois lands, the
healthfulness of our climate and the usually
remunerative prices realized in our markets,
will without doubt bring in large English
immigration, at no distant day. Mr. Card
| plain, truthful, and unvarnished narrative will
have its weight not only with tenant farmers,
but with landed proprietors all over the United
Kingdom. They will learn for the first time.
perhaps, from authority which they will not
question, that they may have here, in fee sim
pie, farm not excelled in all England in fer
tlity, for less than the annual rental of an
equal number of acres at home; that English
wheat, rye, barley oats, sheep, cattle, hogs, and
horses, are raised with little effort and small
comparative cost, in Illinois. They will learn
from Mr.. Golden that their prejudices against
American society and government do both
great injustice; that we are not a nation of
robbers and swindlers that bowie-knives and
assassinations are not more frequent here than
elsewhere; and that life and property, if not as
secure as in England, have the protection of
law framed upon English models, to which the
poorest and humblest may confidently appeal ;
that an orderly and industrious life has its GER
tain rewards that religion and morality are
the rules of action, and that he who is destitute
of both is no less a scamp here than in Derby or
Durham. Certified of these facts the induce
ments held out by the Illinois Central Railroad
Company will have great weight with all to
whom in England they are addressed.
We know Of no people whom Illinois would
more cordially welcome than the English. AT
ter all that demagogues have said and done, to
embitter our relations with the mother country
to keep alive old animosties, and provoke new
jealouies, the English have claims upon our re-
gard which our people are never slow to recog-
Mise. At this time, bringing an accession to
the Protestant and Anti-Slayery strength of the
country, thorough education in scientific ag-
riculture, untiring industry, and frugality, they
would be doubly welcome.-C hicago Press and
Tribune.
GENERAL WASHINGTON IN TIGHT PLACE
There is fine equestrian statue of Washing
ton in Union Square, New York city. 1t was
placed there by private subscription on the
part of wealthy persons living in that vicinity.
At the corner Of Broadway and til street
lives close-fsted millionaire, whom we shall
call Judge Doe. . Gen. H, who was the
active man in soliciting the subscriptions afore-
said, called upon Judge Doe, to put his name
down for FIVE hundred dollars. " Five hun
dred doars!" exclaimed the Judge "why,
my dear sir, it's preposterous +; it won't pay Of
what service to me will such statue ever be ?"
The General, of course, went into highly pa
triodc and exceedingly eloquent argument in
behalf of the subscription !; but all in vain. At
last, the Judge rose, and, after pronouncing an
equally, eloquent eulogum on Washington, ex-
claimed, Washington Washington" laying
his hand over his heart +" I have no need Of
any statue of Washington, for always have,
and ever will carry him here 4" (striking his
breast.
"Well, Judge" said the solicitor of the sub
scription, " / have no reason to doubt what you
say; only, it seems to me, that il you do carry