The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-25
The True Issue I'm the Presidential Cam.
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The country is now on the verge Of the most
dangerous crisis in its history Young, vigor-
Gus and prosperous beyond parallel in the
worlds history, daily expanding its territory,
increasing its population and multiplying its re-
sources, the republic, to the external observer,
presents most magnificent example Of the be-
neiits Of her institutions. cherished and sup
ported by "A happy, industrious, patriotic and
united people. But beneath this fair outside
there turks hidden danger, which threatens,
before many years have passed away, to over
throw the fabric, and bury in its ruins the liber-
ties so dearly earned with the blood of our an-
cestors.
1t would be idle to deny that in the present
position Of our political affairs the dissolution
OF the confederacy is more than probable. The
country is on the eve Of that great struggle
that sectional conflict which was initiated by
the old-fashoned abolitionists twenty-five years
ago, and the first fruits OF which were pre-
dicted by Mr.. Calhoun Immediately be-
fore he died. That accomplished and
far-seeing statesman declared that the
anti-slavery agitation, which had already
divided the Baptist, the Methodist and the Pres.
byterian churches, would in duc course Of time
break up oil the political parties Of tie day.
And We find tha. this question did divide and
ruin the old wing party, that ii killed the Know
Nothing OF American organization, and that
now il has given the death blow to the once
powerful and well drilled democratic party.
The democratic party has ceased to exist.
There are now two great sectional partisan Or
CARNATIONS in the United Statos-the one
Southern party, supporting Mr.. Breckenridge,
and the other the Northern abolition faction. re-
presented by Mr.. Lincoln. These are the only
vital parties and real nominations for the con-
sideration Of the masses. The other nomina-
tons for the Presidency are merely personal,
and have no weight. RTeckinridgc and Lincoln
will have the electoral votes: the other candi-
dates will enjoy the empty honor Of running for
the Presidency and being beaten. The line has
been drawn between the two sections Of the
country, and the struggle for political suprema-
ey On the part Of the North, and politica! equali
ty on the part Of The South, has already COM
menccd.
Ii We look for the origin Of this unhappy
quarrcl-onc that threatens to destroy the in
siitutions which the heroes OF &c fought for and
boqueathed to us-wc find il 10 the social theo-
ries which have been TO industgiously dissent.
mated in the North TO the prejudice Of the
South. The founders Of the republic reecg-
nizod the institution Of slavery as ii then existed
in all the States. The institution Is sanctioned
by the organic law Of the land, and protected
in the States where il exists b. the constitution
Of the United States. In the course Of time the
New England and Middle States abolished
slavery not from any moral or religious scru-
pies. bat simply and solely because II did not
pay. In the South the institution has become
so Ear engrafted upon the political, and embed
ded 10 The social system, that lis abolition is
matter Of impossibility, unless The South is abo-
lishcd rs well. You may tear up the tree by
the roots. but you cannot ct., carve, TRIM bend
or break il.
This, however, is not the view which wes
held By certain philosophers who commenced
the abolition movement twenty-five years ago.
Thcy believed that they had a special mission
TO set the social system, North ana South. TO
rights: and they began BY Glow degrees
to build up party to carry out their inten-
uons forgetting that The founders Of the GO
vcFnmeni guaranteed equal rights TO all the
states. The abolition party attempted, and stu
do attempt 20 interfere with the domestic insti.
tuition Of The South, and TO deprive the people
Of that section Of their property by force Of
arms Along with this idea ,hcy have taken
up In turn the particular folly or dclusiou
which ruled the hour. such as spiritualism.
free love, agrarianism, Fouricrism. womcu's
right. and so on. until they have revived all
the exploded theories of the last ten centuries
pretending that they are now aud important
discoveries in social science As one party
after another was broken up b. the agitation
Of The slavery question. The aboltiouists
gathered in recruits 10 their ranks. and pro.
missed rich rewards 20 the decayed politicians. |
no matter from which side of the house thcv !
came The orators and writers Of the ncw |
party have been rs violent a. the leaders Of the
SouS ciloHcS in the time Of The French Revolu- |
ton. They have denounced the South rs o section
Of The country Inhabited By bsrtsr!sns and pi4i