Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-09-23

u
have rather yielded to that immense ultra
democratic current, Il should say dema-
gogical, if that expression were not often
employed in q sense which would not
convey my idea), which since twenty
years has transformed the physiogno
my of the United States, and altered
profoundly the social conditions of the
country. 1t is that current which has, by
degrees, brought the principal of elections
to ridiculously short term-one year, for
example, two years at most for the highest
officcs-those of governor, judge, repre-
sentative. 1t is that current which has
opened the doors If election halls to all
foreigners, to that crowd of emigrants who.
almost everywhere, enjoy the rights of
citizens as soon as their foot has touched
the soil of the United States-s tendency
menacing to the conservation of the An
glo-Saxon blood and character. 1t is that
popular way which has drawn with it the
last prestige of federal authority, under
pretext of preserving State sovereignty,
and which has consequently weakened au-
thority in the State themselves, under pre-
text of preserving individual !ndepenj-
ence, so that in all degrees of the hierar-
chy, public offices are considered rs the
spoil of n small number of men, who his
pute about them and share them among
themselves, and so that honest and capa-
Bile citizens keep aloo! through that same
sentiment of self love which would make
them seek them in another country. Those
are the movements which the political in
stitutiuns and social habitudes of the Uni
ted States have followed movement
which is interpreted to the eye of the most
superficial observer by deplorable eXag-
geration of carelessness in manners, and
by the almost complete abandonment of
the usnges and forms OF the world. 1t is
under the administration of the democratic
party that this development has been
wrought, for it may be said that since
Jefferson all Observation-Disclosures at their
head-have belonged to that party. Then
came the republicans, who have wished to
exnggerate that which was already an eX-
cess, and to accelerate movement which
had already attained frightful rapidity.
They have Just come into power for the
first time with Mr.. Lincoln. Likewise all
the men whom purity advancement has
elevated to the highest offices are new
men, strangers for the most part to the
routine of public business, still greater
strangers to those external forms with
which statesmen are accustomed to sur
round the exercise of authority.
The Democrats had, to certain extent,
among them, an uninterrupted tradition,
which, although much weakened, runs
back, however, to some illustrious person
ages. The Republicans have come at the
first jump and without any apprenticeship
to the government, having everything to
learn ms diplomats, as finNnciers, as admin
istrators, as economists and rs men of the
wOrld-all that requires practice aud study
statesmen are not imprOvised.
Mr. Abraham Lincoln is the first born of
the Republican party; he was first Il school
master, afterwards a lawyer, or rather at
torncy, then n deputy for two years, and
was, besides, perfectly obscure and un-
known. When then the Republican party
was reckoned at the beginning of this
year, and it became known that by acting
unanimously they might have majority
in the Presidential election, the leaders as
semblcd for the great and legitimate opcrd-
ton Of dividing tie offices and funds, in the
event of success.
All went we'll in regard to what con-
cerned the offices OF secretaries of State,
ministers diplomatic envOys, directors, &c {;
they agreed easily. But the great ques-
tiOn--the reserved question--that of
choosing President-provokcd several
storms. Each name Pnt forward raised
violent protects.
Success was endangered for want OF
agreement upon whom to fix the nominal
leadership. Then it was that Mr.. Seward,
present Minister of Foreign Affairs, who,
as II man of mind and capacity, might have
had the greatest claims on behalf of him
self, and did raise the liveiest opposition,
said to his friends :-"You must have, |
see plainly, man who has no enemies; |
have the very thing, let us take Lincoln" !"
And in this way it was Sir Abraham Lin-
coin come to seat himself in the chair OF
Washington.
have told you what Mr.. Lincoln was
before his election. Physically, lie is a
giant; he has pleasant face with a look
of embarrassment and timidity; a slow
walk and his back archcd like the greater
part of those men whose height surpasses
the proportions of human stature. Futu-
rity will inform us whether he has any
other merit than that of having no per-
sonal enemies, us Mr.. Seward said.
This latter parsonage is about fifty years
of age; small in figure, he has II little head
on neck, of which the habit of not wear
ing crnvat sets off the extreme length.
| Ills entire person denotes cunning and mteiH-
gence. also u HttLe conceH. Like the greater
part of the Americans of his school, he
| speaks English exclusively; he has travell-
ed in Europe and possesses some sterling
qualities He is, next to the President, the
most important man in the civil admins
tration of the United States.
| | have been present at sessions of the
Senate and House of Representatives. /
have had pointed out to me the most imtIu-
entail members of both parties Mr..
Breckinridge is the Kentucky Senator,
leader of the opposition, whose opinions
and wishes are almost equally divided be-
tween the North and South, like the peo-
pie of the State he represents. Mr.. sum
ner, Massachusetts Senator, acknowledged
leader of the abolitionists, an amiablc,
educated man, having travelled much in
France, the friend of de TocqueVille and
very well versed in our literature.