The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-27
DIRK HERALD, MONDAY, MAY q, 1861.

The Present Crisfs, the Begfnning o. q
New Era or National Grsatnsss.
"Citizens OF common country" exclaimed
George Washington, that country has right
to concentrate Jour affections. The name of
American, which belongs to you in your
national capacity, must always exalt your just
pride of patriotism" Yet, thus far, there has
never been any prolonged period in the history
of the United States, when its common interests,
dangers, and ambitions, were not more or less
overloaded by jealousies, growing out Of
those local determinations" which the
fathers of the republic contemplated with
so much dread. The magical supremacy Of
the proud formula" I am Roman citizen"
will only be attained by tho kindred words
american citizen" when the possibility Of
civil conflicts shall have been removed, ami
each individual shall have become the repre-
sentative of an irresistible, consolidated ma.
tional majesty. Unpatriotic, or short sighted
observers Of the solemn and momentous events
opening upon the country, refuse to look be-
yond the fearful expenditure Of life and trea
sure, that is apparently inevitable and forbode
anarchy and hopeless ruin, as the only possible
results of the hostilities that have begun. The
statesman and political philosopher, regard
them, on the contrary, AZ the germ, out OF
which the grand fnality Of an indestructble
Union must evolve, more magnificent In its
prosperity, safety, and invincible strength,
than any national fabric which the world has
ever seen.
tits humiliating but true commentary upon
political wisdom, that the foundations of its
most stupendous undertakings have been laid
in blood, and that national integrities have
never been completed, excepting at cost of
life, before which humanity shudders. Rome's
intestine struggles did not cease to waste the
Italian peninsula, until its power was cemented
from the Alps to Sicily. Her destiny to uni
versal empire, during her social wars, was OBJ
secured or forgotten; but with the consolidation
Of unity, it shone forth bright and clear, and
never faded, until she became the mistress of
the world. The annals of England, are con-
tinued series Of seditions, civil conflicts and in
ternecine horrors down to the reign of William
and Mary. when the homogeneity of the nation
was first fixed upon stable basis. Then be-
gan the establishment Of that vast British En-
pire, whose extent and strength remain, as yet,
urivalled in history. "Seven centuries
elapsed" says recent French writer, I'm arked
by sanguinary throes, before France was fused
into one fraternized empire" The might Of
Sclavonic Russia, consists in its oneness as
nation. The growth into power of Italy, will
depend upon its ability to suppress divisions.
Austria remains distracted, with population
nearly equal to that Of France; because it pos
sesses no single nucleus around which patriotic
enthusiasm can rally. National unity and
strength are Identical though history shows
that the former has been always attained, by
more or less prolonged commissions, of just such
a character as the United States are about to
undergo.
America has existed for two hundred years,
increasing in greatness, as colonies and as a
nation. An exhausting war for independence,
followed the struggles Of first settlers and their
descendants with the aborigines Of the cont
nent but the progress Of prosperity has been
onward and triumphant We are now thirty
two millions Of people, and the destiny of the
United States, as a gigantic nationality, is
manifest, and established. No power on earth
can attack us with impunity and but slight
increase of growth Ia needed to enable us to
bid defiance to the whole world, If united
against us. Our territory can be extended, at
will, norhwaTd to the Arctic Ocean, or to the
Oriroco on the south the islands Of the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean seas can be in
Guided among our tributaries and the inter-
mediate waters will become an American lake,
whenever the necessity for such an expansion
shall have arisen. The last obstacle to indef-
mite advancement has, however, still to be
overcome The scourge and curse Of nations
ipsurrecton and sedition-has attacked us in
our turn and, like strong man. PROSTATE
with disease, we must endure Its agonies until
the undecayed vital energies Of youth and
vigor, have had time to assert their inexhaust-
BILE strength. The firm, unwavering pulse
which beats from the great central heart Of the
people, leaves no doubt respecting the final
result. We shall emerge from our trials more
powerful than before, and the last of our dan
gers will be successfully surmounted.
The war against secession, of which the first
scenes have already been witnessed, opens
new chapter In American history. The consou-
dation Of the United States which will grow
out Of it, will be the final justification Of demo-
cratic institutions to the world, and will over
throw, forever, the cavils of monarchical theor-
lists, who have predicted the impossiblity ofthsir
permanent maintenance. European statesmen
who have curiously awaited the period when
republication should trr,mble before the as
saulss Of military despotism, pr be undermined
by anarchy, will not only have received the
historical confutation Of their absolute ideas
relics Of the feudalism Of the Middle Ages; but
the reaction upon themselves Of the triumph Of
twenty six millions OF freemen, governed by a