Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-10
SOUND AND TIMELY REFLECTIONS.

chusetts is always signalized by the delivery Of
what is called an ELECTION Sermon" by divine
selected for that purpose because Of qualities
which are deemed to be6t him for the Office of
rightly counselling the rulers Of the State. And
We have generally observed that these discourses
are equally remarkable for their appropriateness
and their ability, such Of them as we can recall
being at the furthest remove from the assumption
and declamatory style too common among class of
clergymen who convert the pulpit into the rosrum.
AT the opening Of the Massachusetts, Legislature,
on the 7th instant, the Election Sermon" was
delivered by the Rev. DR.. WALKER. We have
before us only newspaper report of some Of the
topics treated by the reverend speaker, but even
this is sufficient to show that the eulogy passed
upon it by the Boston Daily Advertiser is not
misplaced when it says that nobody will accuse
him of failing to appreciate the full Significance OF
the issues involved in the struggle 10 which the
nation is now engaged, nor of taking too dark a
view Of the future. But, adds our contemporary,
he is nevertheless not blinded to the distinct per-
things 10 which the country is involved. While
the country has otherwise been gradually improving
in the morals and in the private virtues of the peO
pie, while VIC have been enjoying an extraordinary
material prosperity, while in literature and in art
we present brighter page than at any former pc
Rod Of our history, our politics had gradually be-
come debssed and corrupted.
1t is in this deplorable decay of public virtue, and
not in its outcropping symptoms, that DIR. Walker
finds the deep rooted seat Of the maladies which
now sfaict the State, and his remarks under this
head are at once so forcible and so just that we
quote their substance as we find them reported in
the columns Of our Boston contemporary:
eve take superficial view of the civil if We
think to ascribe thu whole to slavery ant-savery.
Either this controversy would rot have arisen it would
have been comparatively harmless if the ties which
bound firmly together people had not been rotng
away fur years under the influence of unhealthy and dis
loyal tone Of public sentiment.
''Whe changes lave thus been going on in tie public
mind changes equally important have been going on in the
Government in the manner and spirit in which it adj
mnistered--s tending unhappy in the same direction
We hear great deal about restoring the Union as it
was One is tempted to ask, 1t achen Since the
generation Of lite founders character has gradually
been given to Of most cherished institutions.
Witness the powers assumed by our political
tons to determ every thing advancethe practice of
making availability, not merit the test of candidate ship,
and the doctrine that the spos belong the victor
Adopted by ell parties, these practices defended by
enlightened member of any party except perhaps
necessary evs but if necessary, why not from tho be-
ginning
How essentially anti-democratc these changes is
evident from the fact that they take the conduct of affairs
almost entirely out of the hands Of the people To be
sure the forms Of free suffrage left u.s. and this
suffrage has been made universal but to what purpose
if the whole is merely to sanction foregone concu
SION agreed upon esewhere7 printed list of names
is thrust upon me- which transfer to the baobox with
the not very pleasing aerng consciousness that
used by somebody, know not whom for some purpose
know what Nor does the evil end here If the power
which thus taken from the people made over to the
Government what is lost to Liberty might be gained to
Order But it il far otherwise. The power is made
set Of working out of sight, and under official
responsibilities Out of this state Of things have grown
the party aud sectional ealouses and rrtaons which
have had much to do with present troubles The
unnatural and unrghteous alienation Of the Southern mind
must not be ascribed 10 spontaneous movement of the
people, to the legitimate working of institutions
1t the accused fruit of the irresponsible underground
Vaccinations of the leaders Of party.
Nor is this all Our greatest dissnaded from
entering the field of politics We had greater
n science, in learning art never greater lawyers
greater merchants, greater engineers But the new
doctrines make enlightened and experienced statesman
ship disqualification for the highest Offices in the National
Government 1t is grave mistake to suppose that the
asceudency of great in republic unnecessary
inconsistent 10 proof of which experience in the
Revolution and in the time Of the formation of the Ccnst
tuition may be adduced.
"Thus two sets Of influences have long been at work
demoraze the politics Of this country with specula
tive men, undermining the old for the Constu
ton and the aws the other with practical men, substtu
ting loyalty to party for loyalty to the State; the nt
esct of both being to weaken the Government and at the
time to bring succession of strains upon it, heavier
and hoaver, until at length it has given way.
where, then, is our hope7 Not in empty boasts or
threats, and still less in disposition 10 depise the power
opposed Our hope to be found in the change Of
character and purpose which the public danger and trials
likely to effect in all classes ard oil parties Because
our liberties had cost generation nothing thought
them safe Peril calamity, modification will bring us to
senses aeain--hey have already begun to do it,"
ARBITRARY ARRESTS IN THE SOUTH
Psv Mr. Graves has been arrested in Rirhrnond c,r