The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-10-17
THE FUTURE.

We publish, with pleasure, the following
thoughtfulIy matured article from the Es-
sex, Massachusetts,, Statesman. 1t treats
Of the most important political questions
that ever agitated the American Republic
in a vein Of history and philosophy which
illustrates and enforces lis patriotic con-
cinsions:
"On a memorable OCCASION, it was the
remark of the Duke of Wellington, in the
House of Lords, Ii could avoid, by any
sacrifice whatever, even one month of civil
war in the country 10 which | am attach
ed, | would sacrifice my life in order to do
H."
This is the real question now presented
TO the people of the United States, and
claiming their deliberate and earnest ac-
lion. Il is not, surely, whether portion
of their fellow citizens who have be in
the iusurrectlon, who have been subdued
and have submitted, shall stand again upon
an equal footing with those who did not
revolt. That, however real and important,
Is but a narrow and superficial view Of the
great point at issue. Yet, were that all,
one would think that universal joy would
welcome contingency 50 suspicious, and
that the whole national heart would exult
Al Affirming the very object for which the
rebellion was resisted, anl would gratefully
hail the glorious prospect ol a restored, in.
stead Of distracted country. For resto-
ration means the happy renewal Of former
quiet and prosperity, with the quarrel Of
generation sci at rest; while every day.s
delay in bringing the States into ancient
and amicable relations with each other only
tends TO hasten the downward progress to-
wards financial and political ruin. On the
one hand. we hold back from using the true
means Of lifting the heavy burdens which
press upon the people. aud which restored
commercial intercourse and restored conf :
dence would do much 10 Tighten nov, and
would finally remove and, on the other
hand, we repudiate the primal and vital
principles Of Tree institutions, BY constitut-
ing one section OF the country master,
and the other a subject. This is simply a
substitution of lorce for the popular will !;
and the republic will have become North
efn drspotism. instead OF our remaining a
iree couatry as we once we're, the boast aid
admiration of the world, the hupe Of the
naiiuns, the asylum Of the des,late and OPP
pressed. We shall be no longer free, but
eLsla,ed to our own degrading passions and
iolies, aud the victims OF our own want Of
comprehension Of our true interests and du.
ties. We shall have been the meteor OF
moment, in the procession OF ages. instead
nf the steadfast and shining light, which
the dawn of our existence promised 10 the
mutitudes Of mankind. The mockery Of
tie foreigner, who is already watching for
oar downfall. will oyerwhelm Us with pas
.,onate but futile shame. and finally we
shall be contempt and derson TO our very
selves. IN a wori, no gambler ever more
fecklessly shut his eyes to consequences,
which the experience Of eyery day presses
him to consider, than do the American peo.
ple, in allowing themselves to be led blind
II along in their fate. at the sacrifice Of
rea.on and conscience, and. as il will be.
al length, il not soon checked, at the loss
Of their freedom, 50 dearly won, % londly
boosted and apparently valued At 50 llttls
worth.
|. this honest picture Of the possible fa
iurr III tie country at al! oyerdrawn? Let
II, tar moment consider what it, actual
ptrseut condition really Is. Al The cose
Of the late session oI Congress the execu.
tive department of the government and the
legislative had been, for many months, at
serious odds with each other. Already the
mus, violent aud indecent language had
been used against the President in the
House Of Representatives, and, that, too,
by those who had been the Efficient agents
Of his election. II was, therefore, no com
mon controversy Il was a struggle be
tween contestants acting upon ln,ally di.
vefgcnt views ol public pUicr II was
like the conflict between Charlie snl the
Long Parliament, with thisdilllrsass-
tte President, unlike the Rins .as con.