The Express.
London, England, 1856-07-10 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, JULY 10.

Itrimanuo as all the phases of Ametican politics
are to Englishmen, our first emotion is naturally
given to the contest for the Presidentship. On the
choice of the next President hangs the question of
peace or war between the United States and various
foreign countries—England being among the fore-
most on the tier. Not that we believe that any pos-
sible President—we might say any American 6u:en
—would directly and sincerely go into • war with
Ragland; but one at least of the candidates in the
field is plaged to • policy which would
ruder war almost unavoidable. While, there-
for*, it is understood that other changes, and
many of them, may take place before the
election in November, wo Omen's with strong satis-
faction that the Republican party is showing such
viper, spirit, and rteolu'ioc se to afford a good
prospect of the return of its candidate—Colonel
FREMONT. Mr. BUCHANAN'S party wee. confident
of their ability to decide the matter their own way,
because they cos4l have done so last year; but, mean
eminent American lawyer °oar said, there is nothing
so difficult to foresee at the seer refers of American
politics, and the political prospects of the two parties
have been reversed with unusual rapidity. The
ele.tion of an Abolitionist to the Speaksrahip of the
Representative', lest winter, showed a portentous
change in the mind of that department of Congress;
and the condition of Kansas since, and latterly the
countenance given by the South to the essaalt on
freedom of debate in the Senate, have stimu-
lated the Northern States, which have all the
real power in their own hands, if they choose
to exert it, to oppose a policy of insult
and injury to other nations, for the sake of
getting more easily through domestic difficulties
The Northern litres appear at present to intend to
elect Colonel FISSION?. For some time it was
doubtful whether they would prefer the new Speaker,
BANKS, or Fnamour ; but their daisies on behalf of
FREMONT appears to be wise, for the obvious maws
that he has already manifested his distinctive cha-
racter, and has the qualification of deeds achieved;
that he is Southern bred, whereas Mr. BANKS is from
Massachusetts; and that his political convictions are
not the result of local influences, but of extensive
travel, ohs. rvatioo, and experience. Mr. BANKS'S
character is h;gb, and his views thoroughly repub-
lican; but he is • comparatively unknown mat, and
may, and no doubt will, be content to earn the further
political distinction which may be in reserve for him.
One party has nominated him, but it is a small and
clearly ephemeral party, and he will no doubt decline
the nomination, and assist in Colored Faluouv's
election. The new and remarkable fervour mangy
tested on this °webs is all the more enjoyed on the
spot for 1:s decidedly betokening a rise in public
sentiment—a stronger courage and greater purity
than for many a long year. No doubt there will be
some disappointment hereafter to men who are so
ringnine se to expect that the election of an Anti-
Slavery President will restore the virtues and the
liberties of the Republic; but the will and resolu-
tion to try the experiment is a great ad-
vance upon the practice of electing encore
and untried men, for the mks of shirking hard
question,.
Not only is the stand taken by the Republican
party in the Faxmorr nomination higher than that
of any other considerable party, and therefore likely
to be more enduring, but there are ethos reasons for
Its good promise, not quite so gratifying to the pride
of patriotism, but not on that account to be con-
cealed by the true friende of American liberties.
President PIERCE has so contrived, sgainat the
wishes and the clmmands of the South, as to throw
the inducements of expediency into the seals of right,
just when the balance was trembling before the eyes
of the North. He has so managed that the avowal
of an intention to restore the African slave trade, and
also of an existing illicit traffic ht African slaves, is
made by the South, just when an Emigrant Aid So-
ciety is formed at the North for peopling Kansas and
Nebraska with free labourers, for the sake of • good
new stock and mode of investment now, and of an
extended trade hereafter. He has so contrived as
that the discontented South is drawn into an annual
confession of its weakness and poverty in • Soothers
Convention, where planters condole with sash other
an the prosperity of the North is such a style
as this : "As to New York City (we quote from the
Itichnsorul Rtairdrier), into whose lap the Slave States
have poured the profits of their immense trade with-
out stint for half a century; whom they have trusted
as their factor and steward, and allowed to fleece
them to satiety ; whom they have ',etched by their
Onstinted patronage, and made to grow great from
the mina of their lands, and from the sweat of their
brows ; it ie the old story of 11.111U11011 waxing fat and
kicking; forsaking the benefactor that made him, and
lightly esteeming the rock of his salvation." President
Fiance basso contrived as that the conflict shall take
place in Kauai, and at the expense of the profeyee of
the Emigrant Aid Society; and thus he himself has
instituted such a balance in the interests of Northern
miasma as eff. woolly separates them from himself and
teem the South, whom be is provoking more every day.
President PIERCE has SO managed matters as to throw
the whole fore of these citizens, at the most critical
moment, into the Republican ranks; and his soldiers,
Wearing United States belts and badges, armed from
the federal arsenal, and authenticated by Reverser
Basqweir's proclamation, are burning the farmsteads
and harrying the stock of the emigrants, and trying to
starve out the protegh of the Northern merchants.
Certain horrors of outrage which have driven the
women across the frontier, wherever they can find
refsge, have determined the attitude of the Free-
State Settlers. They have left their fields and their
bosses to ravage and destruction, and have
retired with their arms to the southern portion
of the territory, hoping to maintain themselves
by the wild gams and fish till montane*
can reach them from their patrous in the old
States. The United States troops, Border Ruffians,
and " mean-white" marauders, are coopiag them up,
Doping that the fish and game will not suffice, and,
at the same time, threatening with their eengeanse
the forces—now amounting to a coasidseabis army—
expected by way of lowa and Nebraska. It is Presi-
dent PIERCE who has brought matters to this isms,
which is sure to cad ill for him, however it may tarn
oat for true republicanism, its right, sad daties.
Meantime, Purica's nearest countrymen and
dearest foes are resolving to have Paamorr is
his place. Colonel FREMONT ill II Uarolinian by
birth and education, and married to a Soothers
lady ; and yet he is, and has long been, a
"fressoiler," as his advocacy of frisson doctrine In

the case of California showed. He was first known
as • man of science (a mathematician and surveyor).
His fist public achievements were kis survey of the
Mississippi Valley, and the maps he made for the
general government. Next he was known se the
scientific geographical explores, through w►om the
whole Pacific territory of th 4 United Statile warn
obtained. He is recognised Li the moat ad-
venturous of living travellers, and his having
survived the hardships of the wilderness and the
perils of Indian travel testifies to his physical and
moral strength. His remarkable power over the
wildest Indians stems to indicate his fitness for rule;
and his emerging with all clearness from a cloud of
disgrace inflicted on him by rival and factious com-
manders is reg►rded in America as a gocd certificate
of character. He is a known man, a respected man,
and • man likely to be anything rather
than a tool: and if any fear of warfare
should arise from his being • high-spirited
soldier in the vigour of his years (he is
forty-three), it m►y be remembered that military
rulers are found in practice less rash in going to war
than civilians. So we English are wont to say in
regard to our Indian empire. If the Americans are,
once more, to be governed by a man of eminence, it
must be by a soldier or sailor; for if they had any
statesman of eminence, political parties would not
permit a successful choice. This feeling considered,
it seems that, as far as can yet be known, • better
choice could hardly be made than of Colonel JOHN
CHABLVI FIWIONT.