The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-20

advocate any change as one for the better.
| The nucleus around which these mistaken, short
| sighted individuals rallied was. however, utterly
bad, intensely corrupt, and owing its strength
70 the same vicious engineering which, from
the time of Egyptian priestcraft down to the Pc
Rod of witch burning in Salem, and temperance
law fanaticism in Maine and Massachusetts, has
been employed by an ambitious clergy to retain
their oligarchic supremacy over narrowminded,
| credulous and bigoted followers. Mr.. Lincoln
| is not called upon to decide between the repub-
lican faction and Chicago platform, both OF
| which are obsolete, and q democratic party
which is virtually dead, but whether he will
as the father of the people, the successor OF
George Washington, array himself upon the
side Of religious and political freedom, or be
fettered by bonds with which few New Eng
land clergymen would shackle him.
For thirty, forty, perhaps for sixty centuries,
there has existed in the world a self-elected,
| privileged class of monopoists of opinion,
which, with varying success. has ever continued
to devise new means TO fascinate small minds,
cater TO the newest and most fashionable pre-
JUDGES, and swim smoothly upon the surfac,
Of every stream and current of national exist
ence. Its constant clamor is for human sacrifice
Whether it presents itself in the shape of the
car Of Juggernaut the pyramids of Mexico, the
holy bulls of Egypt, or the aao-daJes of Ma
drid and Smtbfeld it appeals with the same
voice TO its blinded sectators, and drives them
wild with the theory that their future welfare
or woe demands some bloody sacrifice to some
new, monstious and unheard of theory. 1t
was among the Puritans, who scourged,
banished and burned the Quakers; among the
crazy sacrificers of witches in the days of Cotton
Mather; il was represented by an eminent di-
vine who, only thirty years ago, declared that
| his sect must ''wadc through sea of blood"
to become the State religion of this land; it
initiated the liquor laws and the Personal
Liberty bills of our Puritan States, and
has clothed itself with abolitionism "as
with garment" as means Of domi-
neering over the minds of its followers
Pushed to it, last limit it would behead, burn
or otherwise destroy every STAKEHOLDER in the
land. Although it emanates, in this country
from once slaveholding States they make the
national salvation and damnation, and create. as
an especial religious dogma, undyng hostility to
an institution which is inwoven with the con-
stitution Of the country.
In the face of state of things 80 terrible
what does the national mind demands 1t
exacts from Mr. Lincoln, as the President
elect from its representatives in Congress
from those who are the organs of popular OPT
Mon throughout the land-the right to the same
freedom of opinion upon this subject as is en-
joyed upon every other. If pro-slavery or
anti-slavery are to become distinct tencts, pre-
cisey the same right to believe with the South
or with the North is to be protected, as is
the Episcopalian, the Methodist, the Baptist,
the Unitarian or the Free Thinker, in advo-
eating and maintaining his opinions. The abo-
litionist Of Massachusetts may prohibit slavery,
locally for bis own people, if it suits him; but
he shall none the less recognise as his neighbor
the Southern fellow citizen who brings his
bondsman TO the Revere House, and whose
doctrine DIVORCES from his own. When the
constitution Of 1857 was framed slavery was
part Of the common law Of the United States.
Many legists think that il is so still. Upon the
basis Of this common law the constitution
was framed Nothing more is asked than that
the Southern citizen should be allowed now the
liberty which was checrfully yielded then.
Subsequent local legislation has all been ex-
ccpiional Let Mr.. Lincoln plant himself firmly
upon The rock which afforded a SIRE and safe
foothold for his illustrious predecessors of the
early days Of the republic, and its existence il
safe. storms may arise and winds may blow,
hut nothing can rend asunder q fabric which
has the highest and most sublime principles Of
federation and freedom Of opinion for its foun-
dation. Let Mr.. Lincoln do this, let him con-
slider also the necessities OF the confederation
IN 1850. recommend for the benefit Of both North
and South such amendments to the constitution
n shall msintain each in its rights, and he will
deserve to he classcd higher in history than
any President since the time of Washington
who ever occupied the place to which he j.
called a. Chief Magistrate of the country.
THE MANAGEMENT OF ruE Cry FINANCES
The system Of collecting and safckceping the
finances Of the city and county IL very defec
live, and has called for repeated appeals from
the Comptroller, the Street Commissioner and
other heads Of departments for reform. In the
first place, the opening Of the tax books rs late
in the year IA October has involved the
necessity of raising large sums Of money on
loans for the passing expenses of the govern
ment at interest which counts up heavy item
in the year. Last year, for instance, the inte-
rest on county loans alone amounted to over
$4,000. Now this is dead loss 10 the trea-
sury, which might be avoided by collecting the
taxes earlier in the year. Again. bonus of
seven per cent is now allowed on all taxcs paid