The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-18

Of our forefathers, are not to be governed now
| by the rules which were prudent and wise
| three-quarters of a century since One Of
those crises has been reached which character
ize the progress Of all nations, marking the
different stages of their growth English his
| tory, from the days Of Alfred, abOunds in them
They recur under Henry H., John, Henry VIII,
| Charles t. James H.; and the Reform struggle
within the memory of our own generation, ls a
noted instance of peaceful revolution in con.
formity to great national necessity France
has witnessed many similar epochs, from the
coronation Of Pepin to the struggle which
placed Napoleon III. upon the throne. Italian
history presents Kaleidoscope succession Of
changes consequent upon the varying nature Of
! the affairs Of that peninsula. The throes and
heavings which have convulsed Germany have
been many Of them owing to that pettifogging
| management which ever measures the present
| by the past, and afford sad examples Of ma
tional disaster FASTENED by the imbecility Of
rulers. The annals Of ancient Rome are divi-
ded into different periods Of national greatness,
shape Of existence rendered indispensable by
the exigencies of the times So it is and ever
will be- So it has been within the eighty years
that the Union has endured, and the convul-
sion which now menaces its integrity Of
fers but new proof that increase of ma
tional as well as individual stature necessi-
tates a change in the garments ia which
it is clothed. The future Of a people is only
dark and fraught with disaster, under such
circumstances, when it is weakly governed by
those who are destitute Of the statccraft which
the period calls on them to exercise.
Parties, as the representatives of ideas, have
become within the last few months entirely
obliterated. In the nation at large there are
no longer, in fact, any distinctive sets Of prin-
ciples which divide the country into separate
organizations. What still appear to be party
lines are but the skeletons OF the past-the
rafting of bones and fossils, through an in
tcrcsted press, or the cracking Of the skin
around them, as it dries up in the heat of the
present contest 1t is time when all other
considerations are merged in the common want
OF n great MANA man of the tme-who shall
resolve the political problem which must
speedily be solved--how and in what manner
the crisis which has arrived is to be safely
passed over, and the institutions of the coun-
try established upon basis which shall give
them fresh vigor and stability. Washington,
jefferson. Madison, or even Monroe or
Jackson, could they reappear in the political
arena, would now have an unparalleled oppor-
tnity of renewing their laurels, and acquiring
the gratitude OF the country. 1t is such an
opportunity as may give to Mr.. Lincoln
il he will cast off the slough Of past re-
collections, and meet boldly the question
which is proposed to nina place in the
foremost rank Of those patriots and public bene-
factors whose names adorn the pages Of his
tory Ifhe will comprehend the magnitude Of the
emergency, and display the needful character
and decision to meet it, he will not only be
enabled to dissipate the storm which Is raging,
but dispense every cloud that overshadows the
future. Pigmy hands have bound the nation.
like CULVER sleeping, with innumerable cords,
10 the ground; but ii is conscious that its pros
tratc attitude is not owing to any inherent
strength in IFS adversaries, but TO its own sloth
and folly. II requires but small outward aid
10 rescue ii from it, supine condition, and it is
for the head Of the incoming administration to
render il.
There never was President who upon as
Stunning the Chief Magistracy of the Union, was in
reality bound by 50 few ties and obligations n
Mr.. Lincoln will be. The party which elevated
him to power was temporary conglomeration
Of heterogeneous elements, TO which he can
never owe any allegiance, because II il ire
concilably divided in itself Since his cleo
ton tens Of thousands Of those who contri-
buted to raise him 10 power have signifed their
wish for reversal Of the policy which they
advocated a few weeks ago, and look TO him to
save the country from the consequences OF the
mistake they have made Mr.. Lincoln
has but to declare that he will not be tho re-
preventative Of an obsolete idea but President
and father OF the whole people, and he will
have the undying merit OF having preserved
the integrity OF the Union. lie has but to con-
slider the necessity Of the confederation. North
as well as South, in 1860; to recommend for
The benefit OF each those amendments in the
constitution which shall return TO each it,
rights; TO mark the policy of his adninistra-
ton with the firm and stern purpose Of great
and national man, and he will deserve to be
classed hereafter with Washington and Jcfer-
son, and perhaps to occupy u higher place in
history than either.
The Power AND THE RESPONSIBILITY WITH
THE REPUBLICAN PARrr.--Pcrhaps before the
end OF January the withdrawal Of the members
homcward from four or five seeding South
ern States will leave the republican party in
both houses of Congress in majority. From
present appearances there is no prospect Of
any satisfactory compromise from Congress in
The interval; so that the whole responsibility in