Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-22
FUTURE POLITICAL ISSUES.

The New York World, which, more than any
other paper of its party, may be regarded as typ
cal exponent of the present attitude and future
tendencies of Democratic opinion, expresses the
belief that slavery is in rapid process of disap
pearance an element of political discussion likely
to furnish points of difference between loyal citi
zens. To this effect it says:
Before another Presidential election the abolition ques
ton for example, will probably be in such state that
past ideas will not apply As the problem advances to-
ward it's predetermined solution, we shall public opn
ion and disposed to acquesce 10 the manifest
tendency Of events. Before the expiration Of it's new
lease of power the Republican party will have secured
constitutional amendment for the entire extrpaton OF
slavery in the United States If the South should
while, gain its independence, slavery be longer
question of Federal politics; but if dsarm Southern
resistance the antsaVery amendment will have been put
in force and have done its work before the Democratic
party be in power. Why should the party bind itself
to dead corpse?
unless the Democratic party is blind enough to run
the hazard of dsinegraon it must distinguish between
questions virtually settled and questions that still remain
open. 1t must far keep pace with events to accept
their logic Public opinion has efficiency without pc.
tca combination; but for masses large enough to form
majority to act in concert thought must be left free
all questions those which rank living, vital Issues
The number who oppose the abolition of slavery (now
minority is not likely to grow larger but to grow lees,
with the progress of time. Every Democrat can, OF
course hold whatever opinion he chooses that subject
Such opinions longer of the slightest political
sequence. Individual Democrats will think what they
pease but the subject must be dismissed from the
otopics which the party expected to have distinctive
views. There IL conceivable position the slavery
question which the Democratic party plant itself
and become majority Its antecedents and associations
well its respect for the Constitution it stands for
bid 1T to become abolition party the progress of events
and the tendency of public opinion we'll the Cons
tuition in the form into which it is certain to be amended
forbid it to commit itself TO the fortunes of morbund
institute, n"
We do not doubt that the World gives counsel
with its usual sagacity when it advises the party Of
which it is leading organ not to Commit itself
to the fortunes of moribund institution" We
do not understand that any loyal upholder of the
Federal Government has ever proposed to "com-
NIT" either himself or the Government to the sup
port Of the moribund institution" of slavery as
the World calls it, though there are many who
make it condition Of loyalty" that all who up
hold the Federal Government shall join in giving
an ant.slavery direction to the war.
The political relations of slavery being thus ac-
cording to the view of the World, in process of
obsoescence, it suggests to its political friends that
they have "better chance to gain the public ear
and to render valuable service to the country" by
giving their attention to current and emergent
questions connected with the financial policy of the
Government. 1t says:
"a vast debt and great objects Of deep solicit
tude with all thinking To pay the interest on the
one support the other will put the resources
the country increasing strain which must give
turn to our politics the pressure more and more felt
The country already begins to saggsr under the burden