The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-19
DR.. Robert j. Breckinridge ON the
State Of the Country.

DR.. Robert j. Breckinridge on the
State Of the Country.
The current number of the Danville Re
Uie.o, now in press, contains an ar'leie from
the pen OF DR., Robert j. Brecklnridge, en-
titled, "The Nation and the Insurgents
With Special Reference to the Political,
Military. Material and Financial Condition
of the Country, to the State of the 1nsur-
gent War, and to the Foreign Relations of
the United States, at the End of the Year
1863"
The opening pages of this article-which
abonnds throughout with the remarkable
characteristics Of its distinguished author
are concerning the elections OF 1863 COM
pared with those of '62, and give an ana
lytical statement of the condition Of the
country. They are especially notable, and.
in printing them, we doubt whether any
thing could be giveu in our columns more
acceptable TO our readers:
The nation has Just manifested one Of
those popular reactions which distinguish
all great co1nmotionS among men, ana
which operate with vehement force IN all
great revolutions. From the election OF
Mr.. Lincoln till the autumn of 1862, The
Government and the people OF the loyal
States moving in concert, and marching IN
direction which was itself a reaction
against the extreme opinions which had
prevailed in the Northern States, presented
such an aspect of justice, moderation and
power, as seemed to leave no doubt of the
early and complete extinction Of the rebel
lion. Al that period great and most critic
al division Of the loyal people manifested
itself. The popular election which occurred
in the autumn of 1862, exhibited q power
r,l fur oil laafi II.
ted. a triumphant popular reaction against
the newly -avowed principles OF the Federal
Administration. We have discussed the
causes OF that reaction, as twas manifested
in the papers OF the President and the votes
of the people, and we We're convinced
nent, if it were honestly directed to the
ayowed objects of it. See Danville Repie,D
of December, 1862, PIP. 67O-7l2.l Il was not
so directed. II was attempted TO be divert
ed into party, instead OF Il national move
ment II was abused for the purpose OF
restoring the Democratic party to power,
instead OF preserving the nation and the
Constitution. Nay, it was 'prOstituted tC
Democratic, rather than rational objects
in a manner as disgraceful as success wo' d
have made 1t fatal. What we behold in the
recent elections is the indignant rejection
rejection OF the iInposture that the nationa
condemnation OF certain principles ant
purposes of the Abolition party in 1862
meant the endorsement OF still more fata
principles and purposes Of the Peace De
mocracy IN 1863 This we understand Il
be the significance of these two apparently
inconsistent, but really perfectly coheren
movements of the nation. By that of 1862
the nation announced its hostility TO til
principles of the new war policy OF the Ad
minislration; by that of 1863 it asdeclare
it's hostility TO any project for committing
ha f,fp nf tho nation info the hands of tn
Democratic party-and, least OF all. int
the hands of the disloyal portion of tina
party. And however difficult it May be /
1oresee the course of events, we are oil opiE
ion that both of these great judgments {
the nation, however, they may be conStrue
or abused, will not only stand as land
marks from which it will not much depar
bVt will grow in importance and efiicac,
No donbt the hands of the Administr;
lion will be greatly strengthened by thes
elections OF the summer and fal! OF 1868
Just as they must be strengthened 10y ever
success on its part, and 10y every failure
tie attempts of its enemies. Still, Lov
ever, temporary strength may be game
al the terrible risk of permanent weakness
AT the commencement OF Mr. Lincoln
Administration, there could hardly be sa
to be any opposition to him in the 10y
States, or any serious or decided opposite
in those States opposed 10 the maintenan
OF the Union and the crushing of the rebe
lion by force. At present, there is prob
bly, no loyal State in which there is not o
organized and powerful opposition to h
Administration, deep and enyenom'
mutual hostility of parties alike claimil
TO be loyal, and an uncertainty more or lie
serious hanging over every important ele
ton. This state of things is extremely
be deplored-it is in high degree perilor
So far as Mr.. Lincoln and his Administr
ion can be fairly considered responsib
for it, every wise man will understand ,l
they thereby endanger the very objet
they have in view-nay, every object de
to the heart of every patriot. No re
statesman, especially none in a country
laws and freedom, ever imagined tn
fundamental social changes could be 8
complished, unless by the the consent
society, nor judged that even ifthey cou
be accomplished otherwise, they We're tit
be insisted on if, in the common judgme
they cost far more than they come TO.
far as parties striving Tor Inc ascenden
are responsible for the state OF things
have depicted, they ought to understa
that the nation can be saved only by
nation: and that what is true forever is S
nally true now and of them-thelr mutt
destruction by means OF their mutual I
vourings. In times Of great national pc
whatever party makes party objects
party ascendency, the chief, or even pr
cipai object of its efforts, brands itsel
corrunt. and utterly to be detested. Their
treason of the factions i'll Jerusalem nj
the doomed city with wo-till the aVengl
sword of Titus smote them all with d
truction. The rivalry in Constantinople
livered up the Greek Empire to perdit
rather than forego the luxury of NUT
slaughter On the contrary, the VIII
glory and strengthen England rest on no
ing more deeply than on the ardor W
which every faction, at every national q;
ger, hurries to the support OF the one
happens to be in power. The business
MI. LINCOLN. the business of every factl
the business of every citizen of the Repl
lie, the pre-eminent business of them
each.in his lot. is first of all, and above
10 break the military power of the rel
lious States, and restore the Supremacy
Constitution, the laws and the Cove