The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-19
Necessity of nm Appeal 20 the PeOpls-The
Approaching Elections in the New Eng
I'M inf

OF nm Appeal 20 the Pcopl.-The
approaching Elections in the New Eng
land States.
Ithas become manifest to every thinking mind
that no remedy whatever can be applied to the
politica! disease under which the Union is now
laboring, excepting by the people of the United
States themselves. The vast masses of our
both North and South are unques-
tionably conservative. Five-sixths of those
who are entitled to vote deplore the agitation
by which the popular surface is tossed to and
iro, and condemn the dcmagogues who have
broughtus to the present stage Of deplorable
national crisis. Public feeling demands the
overthrow, once and forever, of sectional tyran-
n.y. from whatever quarter it may be arrogated.
Massachusetts, and South Carolina are proba-
bly, the only two States which love trouble and
discord for their own sahes, and are prepared
to push intolerance to the extreme of civil war
and an humiliation of the prosperity of re-
publican confederation which is the admira-
ton and example of the universe. If, then,
the voice Of the intelligence, worth, integrity
and wealth of the majorities in the remainder
of the States can make themselves heard, an
unequivocal cry will re-echo from New York
to Louisiana, and from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific coast, in favor of the preservation of the
Union, at whatever sacrifice of mere party and
platform interest
The conviction has slowly and painfully /.
forced itself upon the conservative masses
that Congress can and will do nothing. In this
most trying period OF our history both the
Senate and House of Representatives have
shown themselves to be anything rather than
popular representatives. They are utterly lost
and stupifcd in the midst of revolutionary
period which they have neither the knowledge
to comprehend the ssgaeity to control, nor the
uprightness and independence to encounter. A
background Of incapacity, stupidity, imbe-
cility. gross ignorance and habitual venality
only presents in stronger relief such weakness,
cowardce and malice as have but one or two
parallels in the history Of constitutional gov
ernments. The discretion, judgment aud pa
riotism are now needed Of statesmen like
Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Jackson.
We behold in their place desolate blank in
every noble quality, at the very source whence
sound and healthy legislation should proceed.
Incumbents Of Office at Washington from the
South live in deadly fear of mourning unpopu-
larity among the populace of their own dis
tricis or State. Representatives from the
North either want the moral courage to cast off
the shackles of local, clergy. do
minion or else are actuated by the reasonable
motive of Fastening the country into blood
she'd in order to complete the anarchy towards
which they have so largely contributed. The
broad concilatory views of inter State policy,
which must be developed to heal the present
and avert the impending evils that menace us,
are as few and far between as GASES in the de-
sert Of Sahara.
power to pour oil upon the troubled waters.
Surrounded by difficulties and advised by false
friends, he has given wise recommendations,
adopted energetic measures, and been true to
the position he so worthily fills. But the days
of his administration are numbered. He no
longer holds patronage to bestow, favors to re-
fuse, or the rod of fear with which to compel
the re,cent. The most disnterested know that
his tenure of Office can last but few weeks
longer. and that, with the best intentions, he
can make no eifectual impression for good SO
far he has averted evil. BY his foresight and
forbearance he has kept back fratricidal hands
ready to imbrue themselves in blood, and pos
terty will owe him a debt Of gratitude great
for this negative merit, which is of itself I'M
speakablc. He can do no more. lie will de-
liver his sacred charge unsullied to his sue
cessor, maintaining until the last moment the
rights of the federal government under the
constitution, but abstaining from those overt
acts which, though permitted by the law, would
be unqualifedly inexpedient and unwse.
Meanwhile the waves Of excitement are daily
rising higher and higher. Insurrection is pass
ing, in some States at the South out Of the
hands of the thinking, sober minded class, who
only seek for the recovery Of those pristine
rights which have been wrested from them by
fanaticism, into the power of rude, unruly,
uncomfortable, irresponsible mob, having moth
ing 10 lose and everything to gain by disorder
and civil conflict The man who might with
one word have created for himself an eternal
niche in the pantheon Of patriots, and at the
same time have quclled instantaneously the
din and clamor which have obtained such hide
Gus supremacy everywhcre-thc President
elect.-has chosen the part OF utter silence.
The little that has transpired respecting his
intentions, from the mouths Of his advisers, is
lukewarm, unsatisfactory and wholly made
ouate TO the cxigencies of the moment. His
rcputcd mouihpicce, Mr.. William ii. Seward,
Las contcntcd himself with the exhibition of
cunning piece Of fantastic political patchwork,
made up Of samples to please every taste, and
colors to attract every eye, but inconsistent
and impracticeblc as means Of satisfying
the craving demands of the country for such
concessions to the South and such amendments
TO the constitution as shall result in immediate
peace.