The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-18
The Crisis OF the Country-The Remedy
i'm MIR. Lincoln.

The danger which is most Of all 10 he appre-
hcndcd in the present critical condition of our
national affairs, and which upon its face Is tho
most discouragng with respect to our future
political desiinics, is that, while the enormous
growth and increasing necessities Of the coun-
Try afford IN abundant explanation Of every
feature Of The crisis. not one OF the leaders OF
our various political parties possesses the ability
To meet IL. We are In the midst of revolu-
inevitable, which should not have been neces-
sarily alarming. but has become so because no
measures have been taken to provide for It.
This is because citizens Of farsighied sagacity-
true statesmen have gradually secluded them
selves from public notice within the last quar-
ter of q century, and small petty, plundering
interests have invested with power politicians
Of corresponding celibre, who have usurped
place for the benefit of cliques and parties in
stead Of the general good Of the nation. The
source &C all our woes H. that while the country
enjoys an unparalleled degree Of prosperity, aud
never presented TO the world so bright IN cx-
ample OF greatness, It's leading men are IN
worthy of its fame and unified TO control it,
dos,inies Fifty years ago individuals did not
dare 10 aspire 10 positions Of confidence in the
| gift Of the people excepting upon some real or
affected basis Of experience, sagaciiy and worth.
! Popular Representatives IN al stations, from
the President down TO the village constable,
were selected with a view 10 their fitness to ex-
crcise their respective functions, and TO shield
their constituents from the troubles which are
inscparahle from The mutations Of time, the in
stability Of mems minds. and the fallibiliiy Of
human institutions. Political storms were little
feared. because the ship OF State was known to
be staunch and strong. and 10 be guided by
| skiful pilots.
| Within quarter Of a century this happy
state Of things has slowly but surely changed.
Party lines have been gradually drawn away
/ from national TO individual concerns, and the
elective franchise has been prostitutcd TO fill
public Offices with tricksters and managers. so
that place has become the invariable prey oil
the moot venal jobbcr or cunning and success.
full intrigucr Not only in our large cities and
upon our lines OF communication, but in the ma
tional and State capitals moneyed interests have
! riCCf-~lNflN OWNUNlufH ttst tAhtf iOl poN'I'
until the very existence Of great men and pure
minds has become fraycd out of political life
| The nomination aud election Of Mr.. Lincoln 70
the Presidency Of the United States are last
and most striking proofs Of the truth Of this as.
scrtion. Without any reference to personal
merits or dement's, no individual so obscure
could, in more halcyon days, or in a healthy
state Of the confederation, have been brought
forward for an Office 30 responsible as the Chic'
Msgistracy OF thirty millions Of people.
The consequence Of this dcterioratcd state o.
the country, and OF such an inferior represen
taton Of parties, in view Of the great crisi;
| which is upon us, Is easily told. In the natu
| raj course Of events the constitution OF l7sl
has become too cribbed and narrow for the re
quircments Of the present generation. A vas
nation, extending from the Gulf of Mexico e
Canada and from the Atlantic seaboard TO III,
Pacific Ocean; whose population Is over tel
times what II was whom the landmarks wer,
laid which s,ill guide va; whose mean,
OF communication have outstripped the
the most fabulous fantasies Of the mag nations