The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05


In politics, as in nature, there are drifts re-
sembling those which scientific men tell us
mark the growth Of the very earth upon
which we live. Scandinavian philosophers
are marking the different stages of the seas
recession from the Swedish highlands, and
will tell us how many centuries must pass be-
fore the vast inland spaces, hidden by shallow
lakes, are dry and fresh for the furrow. In
the United States those who look at politics
from lofty point of view will note certain
changes and formations We shall in after
days note by these indications the real growth
of the Republic. Compared with this other
considerations are vain and Indifferent. What
issue excites Pennsylvania or New York, or
what will result from the ambition of any man,
however famous, or any party, however strong
are of little value compared with the graver
questions now commanding our attention.
The marked periods in American history
are associated with the names of Washington,
Jefferson, jackson and Lincoln. Washington
founded the Republic jefferson created the
party which SO long represented the demo-
cratic sentiment that arose out of the French
Revolution Jackson first made the govern
ment serve the aims of party and taught our
earlier politicians the fascinating and danger
Gus prerogatives Of the Presidential Office.
Lincoln destroyed the slave power, and, had
he lived, would probably have finally recon-
structed the Union. These are the landmarks
OF our history, and all political successes and
experiments, the rise and fall of parties, the
aims and plans of our public men, are subor-
dinate to them. These men stamped their
names upon their epoch. They had excep-
tional power. Washington, with that extra
ordinary prescience and self-denial which
make his name shine through the ages with
the lustre of Aristides and Phocion, declined
to use his power No two were more apart in
their character, more diverse in their purposes
than Hamilton and Jefferson. Washington
made them serve his purpose, which was
the national security. Jefferson was not per-
mitted this independence of action, and
perhaps did not crave it. He was the leader
of party, and had positive radical views on
political and social questions He had lived
in the flame and beauty of the early days of
the French Revolution, when liberty, trater-
nifty and equality were shouted in Paris
streets by men not yet maddened with blood.
He had passionate, almost personal hatred
of kings He made war upon ancestral rights,
primogeniture, the aristocracy, an established
church, standing army all the forms and
expedients by which the monarchs strength
ened their thrones. He felt that no govern
ment was greater than people He was the
father of Monroe doctrines-manifest desti-
MES. He gave us an empire in Louisiana
and tried to open the western road to the Pa
cific He was an American, representing the
best ideas of the best age of France. When
he was in power his sway was absolute; when
Madison as successor to himself-Monroe as
successor to Madison. Even his opponents
abandoned their opposition, and We had what
historians have called "the Era of Good Feel
ing" and he may be said to have dominated
American politics from the death of Washing
ton to the advent Of jackson.
Whether the influence of jackson upon our
country was for good or evil has never been
determined. He made a lasting impression
upon the country and was ruler of ever
mastering will. He realized the saying ''that
degenerate courage makes one a majority"
He showed the country the power which
Hamilton and Jay really concealed in the
Presidential Office. In time of peace he as
sumed prerogatives which Lincoln never as
sumed in time of war. He made politics a
profession. With absolute convictions on all
subjects, arising more frequently from preju-
dice than reason, he used his office as he used
his pistols and his horsewhip-to remove all
opposition to his will. He taught us the
debasing custom that when party wins
power its duty is to reward its followers by
pillaging the public revenues. 1t was then we
learned the famous political axiom that to
''the victors belong the spoils" Nor have
we reformed this altogether, although
General Grant thinks that the country believes
he has seriously attempted to do so.
That truculent, inglorious Mexican war
was one of the results of the Jackson
policy. Then came the Nebraska bill
and the transactions in Kansas. Not
outstanding these consequences the power of
jackson was as great as that of Jefferson. He
named his successor. He influenced demo-
cratic politics so long as there was q demo-
cratic party. He made it impossible for Clay,
Calhoun or Webster, his colossal antagonists
TO win the supreme fame of the Presidency.
Until our civil war his name was talisman
in our politics. Nor is the spell broken. The
awful events of the volcanic, tremendous
time have not destroyed the name OF jack
son. His rugged, imperious, honest, frank
nature made that name pleasing legend in
our history. And men will honor him for his
war upon a gigantic corporation like the
National Bank, for his frmness WITH Louis
Philippe, and his resolution in dealing with
South Carolina and qualification, who for
get that he dissolved bis Cabinet because the