The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-15
The Revolutionary Crisi,-The Only
Re.

Tie history OF great nations constantly re-
peats itself. Thus we dcduce The maxim thar
history is philosophy teaching by example, and
of these examples none are more striking or
more suggestive than the periods of disturb
ance, called crises, through which the leading
Powers Of the world have passed more or less
successfully.
If we examine the history Of the Roman
republic we shall find that in the course
of its existence Of many centuries it sustained
the shock Of crisis at least once in every cen
fury and half. Then the organic law OF the
republic was altered, amended or expanded in
its provisions, in order to keep pace with the
progress Of the nation. The British en-
pire Offers us still more familiar examples.
England WAS in crisis when the barons
wrested the Magma Charta from King
John, when Henry VIII. placed him
self at the head of the church, when
Cromwell overthrow the government of Charles
he First, when the dogma of the divine right
Of kings was finally extinguishcd by tho peace
full revelation of 1888 and when the House of
Lords was compelled by the pressure Of public
States has had its political AS well as Tia COM
mercial crises. Directly after the Revolutions
~ war the country was in anything but state
Of peace. order and tranquility. The fathers
Of the republic were equal TO the situation,
however, and made Themselves masters Of il.
When Mr. Jefferson was elected President poll
teal feeling ran very high; but the Sage of
I,ff, ta
found peace. In 1882 we were fortunate in
having Jackson in the Presidential chair
and Clay in Congress; otherwise the pc
rils which now menace the Union might
then have overthrown the government.
These crises are. however, but small affairs
compared TO that through which we are
now passing. That il is the most serious
event 50 far in our history no sane man can
deny. That We are TO sit down with folded
hand, and let the storm do IFS worst we are
none OF MS prepared TO admit. IL is our duty
TO ourselves and our children 10 diligently
study out rcmedy0or the existing state of
things. and TO apply that remedy without hesi-
tation. II does not follow that because ofcer-
tain disturbances, the Union is 10 be dissolved
contrary, experience proves that nations, like
individuals, are frequently stronger and better
after having applied active remedies to certain
local disorders. The real state Of the case, 50
far az We are concerned. is that the constitu-
ton Of 1877 is not equal TO the requirements
of the republic in 1860. The constitution of
1857 was made for three millions of people,
inhabitants Of thirteen States. Now we have
population OF hirty-two millions, with vast
territory extending from ocean 10 ocean.
The country has outgrown the constitution,
and the constitution therefore needs 10 b. over
hauled aud amended, and ,hr government re-
constructed TO suit The spirit Of the age. The
day forpa'ching mp difficulties has passed We
have now 10 NEE, them face 10 face aud. from
present appearances, we cannot rely upon our
present rulers for any assistance. The present
President will do nothing, and the inference il
irresistible that he is unequal 10 the response
bi!iiies of his position. Congress is imbecilc.
windy, vacillaing, ierror.s:rickcn. So we look
in vain towards the seat Of government. where
small politicians occupy but do not Ill the high
places in the nation. Nevertheless. we 10 not
despair. The time for Great reform in this
government has arrived The oil parties
which have from lime 10 time ruled as with
rod Of iron have fallen TO pieces, and even
The republicans. who nave iust succeeded in
routing The debris Of The democrats and old
wings. already show signs oi early dissolution
That thcir leaders are altogether incapable 10
cope with the dangers which menace the coun-
tiy Is evident by their doggod silence aud as
sumed indfcrcnCe. We have. il Is true.
speeches in plenty. Union meetings have been
held in various place, and numerous concilia-
tory propositions have been made: bui these
are evidence II the existence ana the inn
por,ancc Of 'he crisis rather than remedies for
ID, and there is no prospect that the present
state OF things viii be improved until some
slcps arr taken 10 rcassurc the public conf
dcnce in The ability OF the Government. TN
the contrary. thc country will b. plunged sili
deeper into the mirc.
In view IL ,his STATE ci things, ibc question
rccurs. ID whom mus; w look for relief W.
have shown Int there j. nothing 10 b. hoped
fr fiem Dc present Executive. nor
III national legislature. nor the party politi-
clans, Nh9 have raised demon which they can
no. quiet. There j. only one man i'm the United
States who has i, in bis power to restore the
country 70 IT, former happy and prosperous
condition. md that man i the President elect.
The President elect should immediately break
,he silence which his presumed duties 70 his
party have imposed uI-on him. and proceed TO de-
clare to h people nc rrcGremmc Of his admin
i.tralion Toa man 81 ccnuon sense the proper
course FOR Mr.. Lincoln f. pursue i perfectly
plain Tic ~hould ignore si'ogcthcr the f,na-
lie of Ito Goldfish State. and lie fanatics OF
the cotton states. Ne should cut loose en-
tir,is from thc platforms AMI distractions Of
hi party, declare himself entirely Independent
Of partisan obligations, and pledge himself to
recommend tho amendments to the constitu-
ton and The additions 70 The federal laws which
ia u,,tYt, a. ,n ar. t.,vauda khnra al