The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-22
The National Crisls-The Tcnchings
History.

2,540. Republican majority, 40.
The National CrisIs-The Teachings
History.
There is a twofold point of view from which
the state Of affairs now existing at Washington
may be contemplated. The one point Of view
ia essentially comical, tho other point Of view
is essentially serious. The comical aspect of
things is sufficiently ridiculous. Never, per-
haps, did honorable mon Eve beg pardon, they
are no longer honorable,) make such fools OF
themselves. TIE serious aspect OF thines is
quite as alarming as the otnor is ridiculous
The nation is in peril, and the peril is NOT tn
less real that our statesmen and rulers, IN their
scrupulous regard for their own interests, ere
recklessly regardless Of the interests OF she
nation. We do not say that the evils of which
we complain are incurable. It would be
strange indeed if they were. We are a youth
full people, full Of life and energy. We have
triumphed over great evils before and We
are by no means without the conviction that
the worst which now exist it is in our
power easily to cast aside. The popularity of
the present situation is this-that the mon in
whom we have placed our confidence and to
whom we look to save the country are the
very men at whose door the distracted condi-
ton Of the country is to be laid. The
proved vitality and energy of the American
people are such that our legislators and Office
holders seem to have arrived at the conviction
that, no matter how they may legislate, no
matter how regardless they may be OF law and
order the country cannot be ruined. We do
not despise their conviction, but we cannot
commend their conduct The country will not
be ruined, but no thanks to those whom we
have placed in authority.
Convinced as we are that the country will at
no distant day rise superior to all her present
troubles, we cannot close our eyes to the fact
that the situation is really pregnant with peril.
It may supply fun for the funny, but it does
not the less on that account furnish food for
the thoughtful. Our revolutionary safety valves
are no doubt effective, and our recuperative
forces are great; but we can conceive OF cir
cumstances in which neither the one nor the
other nor both would be able to save US. We
are not satisfied that any Of the men who are
now high In Office or who re influencing in a
prominent degree the councils of the nation
the destruction Of our liberties. We arc
willing to admit that even amid their selfish
ness PATRIOTS feelings find place. It would
be absurd, however, at the close Of q
great civil war, to make too much of patriotism.
:. II the late rebellion has taught us anything it
has certainly taught US this-that when party
strife reaches certain point patriotism be-
comes secondary consideration, or rather, we
should say, Is liable TO be harmonized with
very divisive courses Wo believe with Mr.
Bingham that the will of the people as ex-
pressed through their chosen representatives is
supreme and the only lawmaking power ; but
we do not believe with Mr. Bingham that
dominant faction is at liberty to legslato cx-
clusively in its own interests, and to ride
roughshod over barriers which the wisdom of
our forefathers erected for the special purpose
Of protecting our liberties and guarding against
hasty legislation and we should like Mr.. Bing-
ham to explain what the people should do or
after Congress proving unfaithful to their trust
If members OF Congress will not do the work
to which they have been appointed have not
the people a right to interfere and command
that the work be done in whatever way and by
whatever means they may think fit! II the
people have not this right are they not exceed
ingly liable under strong provocaton to claim
III The rivalry which now exists between the
two parties in Congress and the attitude as
sumed by President johnson and by General
Grant are deeply suggestive.
We are, in fact, - . nation, precisely In
those circumstances In which 1t Is difficuls to
foresee with clearness the character Of the
future. We Gee the beginning, but what the
end is to be we know not Revolutions Of a
serious and destructive character have sprung
from beginnings much less ominous than what
we now see 1t Washington. Little sparks have
more than once In the worlds history already
kindlsd great nrcs l. does not affect the truth
Of this statement or the value Of the lesson
which IL conveys to say that no such intention
now exists. Results, in truth, are often as
little proportional 70 intention as they are to
their original cause. The causes which led TO
the reformation in Germany, to the revolution
in England, 70 the protracted struggle in the
Netherlands, to the revolution in France, and,
more recently, to our own great civil war,
were in every case small as compared with
the actual consequences nor 10 any ono OF
these cases was the result proportional TO the
original intention. In oil those great struggles
which stand out as landmarks In modern bis.
tory . little more wisdom 10 council, litse
] lees party spirit and . few timely con-