The New York herald., 1844-10-29

One OF the most singular deveopemens which
has beenpresented to the public eye during the pre-
sent political contest, the extraordinary influence
OF geographical posiIion- in fhe creed OF the two
great contending parties and their respective can
didates. Sit is one Of the beautiful laws of nature,
that amongst the inferior animal CREATION the most
perfect aud adequate provision is made for the
adaptation OF the several species to the particular
portions Of the earth which they inhabt. Thus,
the bear, provided by nature with his rough and
shaggy coat feels quite comfortable amid the eter-
nal SHOWS OF the north; whilst beneath the genial
skies of southern climes, the poode-happy favo-
rite Of bcauty-can hardly bear the breeze to visit
his delicate skin too roughly. Just SO it is with
locofocoism and whigism. BY wonderful, in
stinctive, sef-adapting power, they can both make
themselves alike comfortable In South Caroliua
and New York-setting proudly at defiance the vi
cissitudes Of climate, and bravlng all sorts OF
ther without the least apprehension or Injury.
Still this selfregulatng power OF conservatism
does, it must be admitted, present with incon-
sistsnces which not 4 little amusing, and
which afford admirable illustrations Of the morals
Of politics. These Inconsistencies and contradc-
tions belong as much 10 one candidate and one
party as the other-to Mr.. Polk as well to Mr.
Clay. On the subject OF the tariff Mr. Polk's pre-
vious position mas been well known. He has here.
tofore been in favor Of tariff for revenue, and
opposed to tariff for protection This opinion is
the universal opinion in Tennessee; and 80 long as
Mr.. Polk's ambition and hopes were bounded by
the limits Of that promising State, this was his
opinion. But it happens that in this country, with
such extensive territory-with such multiiarieus
interests-with such numerous and great COM
munities, that almost every great subject OF
public concernment there is found to exist con-
siderable contrariety OF opinion The various Sec
tions Of this mighty and extended empire have
CONS TO entertain on certain questions quite oppo-
site opinions, just as they have different climates
ard different geographical distinctions. Thus, in
the South, the tariff is opposed by the whole CON-
munity. But in the middle and eastern States, it
is upheld by the whole community. In the West,
a National Bank is popular. In the East, it is un-
popular. And SO it is with variety of other ques-
tions.
Now, it happens, that Mr.. Polk, never suPposing,
as he most undoubtedly never had any reason TO
suppose, that he would be candidate for the Pre-
sdency, never took The neutrality-suspicious. so
well understood by the ambitious and intriguing,
and therefore successful politician Ito generalize
hi. opinion the tariff, but made them suitable 10
the cmate-the atmosphere-the intellectual latl-
tude of Tennessee. He was, therefore, always
"anti- tariff" as is called, or for "revenue Ia
riff" But when he became a candidate for the
Presidency, it was necessary to make his opinions
suitable to the climate of all the States 1t would
not have done have sent Mr.. Folks opinions out
on their travels without furnishing them with ap-
propriate clothing and necessares-that would
have been like sending man into Canada IN the
depth Of winter, with nankeen pantaloons. Ac-
cordngly, his friends in the tariff States have mace
il great point to make him out to be very de-
cided high-tarif men, whilst at the same time his
friends in the South were equally industrious in
proving him to be most unquestionably antl.tarlf
The same thing takes place with regard to Mr.
Clay. On slavery and abolition, and matters con-
nected herewith, Mr.. Clay IS represented in the
same double light as that in which Mr.. Polk is
held up with respect to the tariff. Of this we have
Jus, been furnished with most laughable illustra-
ton. A newspaper received by us yesterday IRON
Augusta Georgia, contains letter from w. G.
Preston, formerly member of Congress, and
very intimate friend and warm adherent of Mr..
Clay, in which he undertakes TO state what he
knows to be MIR. Clay's opinions on slavery and
abolition. This Mr.. Preston does in very bold
and decisive manner. He states in the most en-
phatic terms that Mr.. Clay has no sympathy with
the abolitionsts-that "his and his children's des-
tiny is with the slave. holding race"that in 1889
he brought all the weight of his character and po-
sltion--all the energy of his nature, and all the
power of his eloquence, against the wicked and
misguided fanatics who were agitaling the coun-
try--that that signal effort extorted applause from
men Of all parties the South, from tie most
malignant of his caumniato,s-that subsequently
to that speech, when the striking scene in Indiana
took place between Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Mendenhall,
and when in the midst of great State, surrounded
by abolitionists and antl-slavery population-he
met aud rebuked the spirit Of abolition with
courage, majesty, and force, that sent it covering
and appalled, from his presence"
This is very well 30 far as it goes. Indeed we
happened to receive (on the very same day that the
paper in which Mr.. Preston thus takes up the
cudgels for the purpose OF vindicating Mr.. Clay
from the charge Of sympathizng with the abolition.
lists reached us,) another paper from beyond
the Allegheny mountains, and it contains a very
long letter from Mr.. Giddings, Of Ohio, in which
he represents Mr.. Clay exactly in the opposite
light. Mr. Giddlngs, with if possible still more EN-
phass Of language than MIR. Preston, asserts that
Mr. Clay is the friend-thc warm friend-the con-
sistent friend Of the abolitionists-that the abo-
tionis,s should vote for him by all msans-and that
Mr. Clay would" 20 far as slavery is concerned
administer the government precisely As would Mr.
Blrney. the abolition candidstev'
What melancholy exhibition is this Of the mo-
rails Of politics! What faIsehood- -dupcity-sub
terfuge-intriguns -dsingenuousness Such IS,
however, fair sample OF the spirit, principles, and
working Of that accursed partizanship, which is
daily dissracing the character of the republic, out
raging public morality, and sappng the very foun-
dations Of civilized society.
PoLIrIcs IN CANADA.-The elections seem to
sustain the policy OF Sir Charles Metealfe in the
most positive manner. Thus far twenty-one con-
servative TO nine radicals, and six doubtful men,
bers OF Parliament, have been chosen, and the liz
dicatlons are decidedly favorable to large msjo-
rity of loyasts in that body
CIVILIZATION In CANADA apneaYs hv the