The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-31


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The GATED states II the Erss sf The WsviS.
II the people Of the United States could see
themselves - the rest Of mankind REQ them,
the gay plumage Of their extravagant ssh-eon'
oeis would be wilted down ~ completely ~
the tail Of the American eagls-no longer an
eagle, but buzzard-in the late tussle with the
British lion The complacent manner ID wnicn
they discourse Of the greatness and glory OF
the model Republic wonld give way to very
different tone, would they only seriously re.
fec. upon the 6gure which they are at pres
emit cutting in the eyes Of mankind 1t 10
their political theory and their daily boast
that their people are the most intelligent and
virtnous Of mankind, perfectly competent to
all the duties Of seifgovernment, and
therefore hundred years ahead Of all the
other nations Of the earth in the
agents by whom, and the manner in
which they transact their public affairs
The type illustration and demonstration of
all this 10 to be found, of course, In the person
they have selected as chief magis-
trate. He lie the head Of the nation, and the
world looks AZ materially to him as represen-
tstive Of the body polite, az individuals look
To the head Of a man in estimating his value
as an Individual If wise and virtuous peo
pie, having the power Of election, eannot
choose wise and virtuous ruler, what ia the
use of political wisdom and virtue1 If na-
ton setting mp pretensions TO such qualities,
deliberately elects such man As Abe Lincoln
~ its President, is it not the best evidence
which can be given that they are no better
than the object Of their choice, that like Pre-.
sident, like people; that q vulgar, profane,
Obscene rail-splitter is, AZ they have declared
him by their votes, the representative of the
Yankee nation2 What must the world 1t
large think Of republican Institutions when
they see one OF the cOarsest and vuest of
mankind placed and upheld in the Presidency,
not only by their votes, but by large standing
armies, and eulogized by Republican press
~ the wisess aud most exemplary OF rulers
We say nothing of his complete and contemp-
tuous subversion OF the Constitution aud VI
MI The principles OF civil aud political
liberty, though this Of course has given
tic qaietus W everything but the name
OF repaDucAnism IL ILLS country. But the
personal character OF the man, his ignorance
sake vi the responsible duties Of his situa-
ton and Of ali the decencies OF civilized life,
are enough TO bring blush even upon IAN
kes cheeks, il their natures were not As imper-
vious to seuslbility and shame as mill
Nor II II III tue cnoice OF President alone, but
the whole practical operation OF republicanism
IN the North is calculated to bring its prin.
ciples into contempt through all Christendom.
IL II 30 with almos. every officer whom they
elect, from the President to the constable
Vice aud virtuous men among them have no
chance III the world tor any oihce, however
humble. Tue members Of Consress in both
branches are generally the most Vulgar, unprin-
cipled, and constituencies demagogues t0 be
found III the whole land. There ID only one
VailAndighnm to he found among the elect
OF the universal Yankee nation. Not as many
righteous men Can be found in Washington as
We're required 10 save Sodom from destruction.
The United States Senate, which was once
IN assemoiage as able aud almost as dlgniiied
~ the British House OF Lords, is now u con-
elave OF Drawing, pot house politicians, OF men
alike destitute OK official and personal dignity,
aud only less barDarOus and savage Than the
Indian sachems of former days, without, how
ever, half their self-respect and courage
What is TO be thought of nation which con-
demns the wise and good to obscurity, and
elevates to power only the ignorant and cor
rupt7 And yet these men pretend that the
overthrow of the Southern rebellion ia all
that is necessary to give influence and respect
ability to Republican institutions throughout
the world! If that object could be accom-
plshed, it would be the deadliest blow ever
yet inflicted upon free government through
all the tide of time. 1t would prove that
liberty has been MORALLY wounded in the
house of her own professed friends, and that
the coarsest, the most brutal, and the most ty-
rannieal Of all despotisms, is the Wanted Re-
public of the United States of America.