New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-13
New1lprk DAILY Gribm,te
THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.

THE FUTURE OF OOR COUNTRY.
To the Edito, Of Them y Tribrn"
SIR: That the aspect Of things Is full OF dark omen
NO man who thinks at all can doubt. Neither can IL
be doubted that the bearings and emergencies oil tne
sue by which the public mind is sgitated are more lar
reaching than any questions that have been before the
country aimee the discussion whether was better that
the States should ca 81 maintain their separate sover-
eighty or enter into Federal compact for mutual sup
port. II,
1t is easy TO dispose of this ssue one way or the
other, if regard be had to merely temporary party
policy-but cannot look upon what is involved with
out involuntary impression OF the incaicuiao'y
greater consequence affecting the future integrity OIL
the Federal Union.
Again. it is comparatively easy to say which OF the
antagonist parties is in the wrong and might ahduce
irrefrsgable arguments 10 maintain my opinion upon
that question. But it is graver, more delicate, ana
vastly more difficult matter to determine what should
be done to moify exacerbated passion, and Induce
calm and temperate view of our actual condition, and
the course policy required for the general welfare OF
the country.
Avoiding everything Of mere by partisan character,
il is my purpose consider the present aspect OF our
affairs difpassiODatey, and TO suggest remedial
measures that will, 1 trust, commend themselves 10
thoughtful and ghtminded men, whatever may be
their political afintes. -,
Two months elapsed without the organization of the
popular branch Of our Federal Legislature oy tne
election of presiding officer In respect we may
find confirmation of confidence In the integrity OF
the Union. In no country could strife involving so
great degree of passon have been carried on 10 30
proracted an extent without resort to violence; nor
indeed. without a contamination by the ascendency OF
one or other Ofthe beli2erent parties by mere orce
On the other hand we cannot avoid grave reflection
as TO what the future may bring forth when We cosd-
er the which have kept the Governmen 80
great length of time in this chaotic state and wheth-
er the controversy shall soon be determined by the
success of other Of the contestants OF snail sui
long er agitae the country we have before US SUD-
iect that may well awaken anxiety.
look upon the late proceedings IN Congress as u
mere expression of evil underlying all this outward
demonstration which, if do not much misj1dge, Will
ere long chow itself as faint OF the body polite ana
which, if not checked, may end in the decomposition Oh
the whole fabric.
know that to many the expression Of this opinion
will seem to SAVIOR OF undue midity. To them it may
appear an easy task to put down all lnsurreetonary
movement by force. Otners pfooaoiy conslaer All
have only 70 show bold front and give IN to no con-
Citation in order efesualy TO suppress all incplent
characterization. 49,
Without tempting discuss either Of these opinions
shall simply submit my OWL views The evil have
referred to is want of love and respect for our COM
mon 20 1ernmeDt simply as such. However loyal may
be the feeling of the industrial class which chiefly be-
Longs the Morrill, cannot OUT feel
70 call in question the utility of that government-st
more TO set no tae accomplishment OF Il sectional
ascendencyFas paramount. TO tue general good resulting
fro our Federal negrtyis OF itsefmdcAtlye OF the
want of a principle essential to permanent national
existence.
How far this variety Ut it, in fact, exists may be
attributed TO the intermngling Of foreign element,
know not 1t light have beensupposed that emigrants
from countries where but small measure OF natural
rights was enjoyed, TO a country where they are at
once admitted to coordinate share Of civil privileges,
beyond any precedent TO be found In or modern
history would have at least secondary patrlotsm-a
feeling of gratitude for the unreasonable advantage
allowed TO them here in social life and the enjoyment
of civil rights will not 70 into the inquiry how far
this has been realized in respect TO the largest proper
ton of adopted citizens. shall content myself
with simply referring TO the anomaly, which am I'M
able explain viz: that the most numerous class the
Irish are ouud 80 generally attached 20 party which
is controlled by Southern politicians, whose maxim Is
that all not equal, but that Is the rignt OF
the few to hold the many In seivltnde. Let the expo
nens of Irish Democracy reconcile, if they can, the
political faith asserted by the popular party in Ireland
with the hybrid coalition which they have entered
into with the slave aristocracy Of this country,
/ may, in passing notice the political faith OF the
Democracy of the City of New-York, as exp0unded
Mr.. OConor. AS the expression Of his individual
opinion, it would be a matter OF very little conse-
quence but being in fact known as the public declara-
ton of the creed prescribed to and accepted by the
Democratic party of this city, three-ourths OF which
are his countrymen it becomes more significant. 1t
cannot escape the observation of any rejecting man
that the dogma Obruded upon the free people Of the
North that who are inferior in physical or intel
lectua power by nature destined To serve taose
who are SUPERIOR is not the theory of an indvd-
ual speaker nor of the citizens who composed the
Union Meeting before whom 1t was uttered-6ut that
il is political opnionit is the faith of the Dem
ocratic party in the City of NewYork How much
further It may extend know not but taking into &C
count the homogeneity of Northern Democrats, will
now be the Shbboeth of the entire party. Ii il not
within the scope of what am nov discussing to make
any comment upon the consistency OF this doctrine
with the pretenson heretofore made by that party
notice it as part of the present plan of our officers,
and will only cay that it deserves TO be placed with
the declaration made by Archbishop Hughes that the
Roman Catholic religion Is more favorable than any
other TO a free government, and the argument OF MIR.
Robinson that the Irish achieved the American Reyo-
luton.
Nv object rather is to sift what elements of
vatsm have in the aggregation OF citizens under
our Federal Government, as well Indigenous as
adopted.
Passing to the people of the South-these are for
the most part natives of the SOIL at least III much
greater degree than the citizens OF States DO
they exhibit greater regard for the country than we
find III the mixed population OF the North The ques-
ton needs no other response Than the fact that IN
time Of profound peace, and in the full enjoyment OF
all the means of national prosperity there are men IN
our Federal Legislature protesting TO represent the
opinions of Southern constituency, who avow that
our nationality is mere igment-a nonentity-a thing
having 10 existence in tsef-but a mere shadowy
remittance which can be dispeled at any moment by
the breath of dissent. II the harangues OF members
of the House of Representatives are to be deemed
merely part of political strategy designed to &C
complsh certain result, yet, let il be remembered
that gasconade is generally evidence Of hollow and
untIustworhy spirit The contest now Is only ior po-
Itca power. What, then, would be the state of our
country if real grievances were pressing upon US
war should subvert industrial enterprise, and the
wealth flowing into every part OF the Coniederscy
should be diverted to the accomplishment OF
ranous projects foot by insane politicians! or,
put which is perhaps not remote, if the re-