The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-06
The Decentralization of the Country
What Is the Remedy:


generally marked by the most deplortble de-
moralization. The important issues which have
rallied the patriotic people being all settled
the reaction comes, and all sorts OF diversities
and cccentrici;ies Of opinion and conduct
occur. The nation, relieved from its mighty
labors plunges into all kinds OF designations.
The centrifugal power of common cause
being removed, the various cliques, factions
and parties again resume their discussions, and
new quarrels are begun and old ieuds con-
tinued. The popular perception of the dis
tinctiOn between right and wrong is confused.
Crimes increase in number and assume the
mosl outrageous Characteristics. For a time
society appears 10 be disorganized by the new
elements introduced. Instead of the intense
concentration which was necessary during the
war chaotic disorder reigns supreme. Like an
army suddenly disbanded the people indulge
in curious extravaganccs. The tone Of public
morality is lowered. Those who have accu-
mulated money while the war lasted now
spend it in riotous living. The wholesale man.
slaughter and manning, which we call battles,
are succeeded by a prevalence OF crimes
against the person. Property is held pre-
cariously. The currency has not yet recovered
from the war expansion. Business does not
readily change its channels Financial and
commercial CRISIS almost invariably happen.
In a word, The shock occasioned by the transit
ton from war to peace is quite as great as that
which accompanied the transition from peace
10 war.
We find in history many illustra-
lions of these truths; but perhaps the most
prominent are those of France and England
AI,cr the French republic had been founded
indications of the approaching reign OF terror
became at once apparent. The unanimiiy which
had secured The victory of the people was
broken By discussions in the convention and
between The popular leaders The excuses
which had distinguished the revolution were
followed by others of an even more extra
ordinary nature. Thus France was asorgan-
lied 'insl after her triumph over royalty; and
not unti the foreign wars began, and the trans
ccndenI military genius of Napoleon was de-
vciopcd, did the extravaganza and demoraliza-
ton OF The nation succumb to The control of
wiser coun-cls. Napoleon saved the French
by transforming their country into vast
military camp but he carried his remedy TOO
fsr and turned IL TO his own aggrandizement
30 in England, after Charles The First had
been dethroned aud The Commonwealth estab-
lshed. The Generalization Of the English
people was different from chat OF the French
because their national pecularites are differ
cnt; but siil Il was none the less remarkable
Cromwell cured il by engaging public aticn-
ton in a foreign war and originating the naval
mower which he's given England her maritime
supremacy. But, though suppressed under
his iron hand, j, broke out again when Charles
he second returned to The ibroue. Indeed.
ihe principle which We have calculated Il al
most universal IN It's application Whether the
government is imperial. monarchical or repub-
lioan makes very little matter. The aristocracy
.haL rendered France infamous during the Re
gcncy committed no greater ouiragcs han the
red republicans, who proclaimed The rights OF
man and worshpped tie goddess Of reason
The dopravity Of human nature Is The same
everywhere and in all ages. and It takes the
same opportunities Of manifestiug itself For
such manifestations The period OF rel xation
which follows great war is especially favor
able, and this is ,he philosophy Of national de-
moralizaiion.
II was scarcely TO be expected that the
United States would be exempted from q rule
so universal, aud that they are not exempted
The records Of current events fully demonstrate.
During the war the North was united in devo-
al ~ n.
sclidifcd by strong but spurious patriotism
patriotism that was loyal to a State and not
20 the general government Now that the war
is over we see a general scattering Of scots
aud cliques and crecds. The South u begin
ming to exhibit something Of the old scccsh
spirit, which has not yet been thoroughly ex-
PEELED. The war has lei; thai section Of The
country in perfect chaos and OF course demon
alization prevails. On the other hand. the
North is in no better condition morally speak
ing. There was never before 80 much crime in
this community, and almost all the offences are
OF an aggravated character. The revengcfnl
vindicdveness which should have died out with
the war seems about to control The legislation
of Congress. The theories aud hobbies ~ IA
natics of every degree are again attracting
public attention. Since the Union is restored
aud slavery dead there is no great issuc upon
which the people may rally. and which will abb
sofb all minor differences and divisions. The
itch for uotoricty leads TO Che most dreadful
revelations OF social vicc. Under those cir
cumstances 4 y proper 10 consider whether the
rcnpdy ~ Cromwell apl of sBo'ruu viii not