The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-16
Alas. pOor XOrick.

We see it stated that Messrs BUCHANAN and
CAss are packing up their effects for removal
from Washington on the 9Th of March, and it
is lugubriously suggested that, Gin all human
probability, neither of these two aged states
men will ever again visit Washington"
We dare say it becomes the whole country
10 be awfnlly melancholy under this doleful
dispensation but. it strikes us that the day
when they first came TO Washington was
great deal worse for the country than the day
they will leave. Either of them may adopt,
with a slight modification, the reinorsetul
ejaculation of Jagged English Estates
man and declare that if they had "served
their God AS faithfully as they have served
their ambition, He would not have left them
thus desolate on the confines Of eternity. We
desire to speak with all respect of grey hairs,
even when they are not a crown of political
righteousness, but we must be excused from
indulging in any maudlin sentiInentality over
the closing scenes in the political or natural
lives of two venerable demagogues, who have
done as mnch as any other of their tribe,
whether Democrat or Wing, Northern or
Southern, Federal or State Rights, to involve
their country in its present ruin. 1t is not
slavery which has brought US all to the verge
of that dismal abyss which is now yawning
al our 1eet , IL Il init which HAS utstlOytu All
Republics the selfish and unholy ambition of
politicians, and that which will destroy,
sooner or later, all future experiments of self
government if men shall be found insane
enough hereafter, after this grand wreck and
crash, to attempt another enterprise of this
kind, down to the day of doom.
We do not single out Messrs BUCHANAN ard
CAss as any worse than their class in general,
hut fhai faf WI il
attending TO by those II All given TO sober
contemplation as to the causes of the present
state of things, as Well us by youthful aspi-
rants for political honors. They are both fair
specimens of politicians, have fed at the pub
lie crib all their born days, have waXed pecu-
niarily fat in the service of their country, and
are now about 10 die with Roman dignity
We would drop a tear over the falling of this
curtain if we could we -wouId try to
imagine in these political vampires depart
ure on the 9th the exodus of two aged
lions from ancient lair, but we cannot
eXaIt these venerable foxes to that dignity.
The most selfish and corrupt vocation in the
world is that of the politician, from the paltry
aepirant for a seat in the Legislature, who is
watching for some unfortunate vote of an in :
cumbent, like cat for mouse, and is willing
to deceive and humbug the people by false
representation of that vote for the purpose OF
getting his own little self in to that little place,
up, up, through all the gradations of mighty
host, to the candida 10 for the Presidency, who
Is willing to involve the whole land in civil
war for the purpose Of reaching the object OF
his ambition. This is the bane of our coun-
try the intense selfishness of political dema-
gogues, who would sell themselves, their
souls, and all mankind, for place; and who,
al last, have brought us all 10 the verge OF de-
s,ruction, and from whom we have no earthly
hope except that some of them may see in the
salvation of the country hobby by which they
can themselves ride into power.
Again, we say, let Messrs. BUCHANAN and
CAss depart in peace. From the first OF the
progress downward, until, Of late years, SUI
perier merit has been about the last quaiiiica.
ton thought OF for public office. II the Re
public could always have been governed by
men like GEORGE WAsHigaroN; ii all ineum.
benS Tor political position had been selected
with reference 10 their intelligence and inleg.
rity II, In word, the public in tel ligence and
virtue Were as iniaiiibie and nnmac aiate as il
pretended, we might be still sailing on q
smooth sea, with prosperous gales. But In,
demagogues have destroyed our liberties an.
our hopes, and possibly, ere six month. ar,
gone, this whole land, once bright and peaee
full As cloudless skies, will be CONVEX ted in TO
He'll by the same unholy ambition and prid
which cast the angels down from Heaven.