The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-02
Appro aching Close or the War.

At length we are in sight of land. The presi
Dental contest commenced yesterday in Pennsy
vania and Ohio, and will be continued
Tor several days TO come, keeping this city
and the whole country agitated for at least one
week longer After the general result shall have
been ascertained, and Mr. Clay or Mr. Polk elected,
we shall all then return TO peace, quiet, and re-
pose; and be enabled to turn attention to all
those various interests that will produce real
benefit to the country, than the strange contest
through which we have been passing for the last
six months.
Just let look al the brief space of time we
have thus passed over, for the that left
10 mark its history. During the last six
months the country has been ccnruised from
the centre utrermost exiremifies by contest
as ferce--as vioent-as full of exhibitions of the
bad passions any ever witnessed. We have seen,
in various ways during that brief space oltme, per-
petrated as many fasehoods, forgeres, violations
OF all decency and virtue, might last reasona-
bic people for a whole century. The waste of time,
The expenditure OF money, the total loss sustained
10 the country, may be set down probably at half
as much as the entire cost of the revolutionary
war And what has it all been about The cleo
non OF an individual to occupy the Presidential
Chair as the successor OF Captain Tyler! As the
man in the farce says, What fuss about bit Of
pork!'
To the impartial spectator-to the mind that
can contemplate the past, examine the present, and
look forward TO the future, all this contest about
the presidency, and 6 the principles as they are
called, involved in it, has been contest about non
entities and absurdIties We are perfectly satisfied
from every thing we have seen, during the last six
months, and from all that can observe now,
that 50 far the destiny of this nation is concern
ed 1t is matter OF very little consequence indeed,
whether Mr.. Clay or Mr.. Polk be selected to in
habit the White House. On the usual principles
of human action, Mr.. Clay is probably the best
man OF the two In consequence Of his great
public reputation, his eminent talents as a
statesman, and his distinguished career in
this country, which is known to the whole
world, he would be the most desirable man to
I'LL the chair of the chiel magistrate. The
attacks made MIR. Clay in relation TO his private
characteristic allegations urged against him as to
duelng, gambling, card-playing, drinking, and
various other vlces,-we consider as the most pre-
posterous-the most unworthy--and the most I'M
manly characteristics Of any which marked the
contest in Its entire progress. No doubt Mr. Clay
has his wealnesses--who has not? But he is still
elected, would contribute 10 the elevation and
ornament Of the Presidency; and who would, no
one can doubt, manage the affairs OF the country
with great talent and just degree Of patriotism
On the other hand, if Mr.. Polk should be
iected, although he is man of inferior mental
caibre to Mr.. Clay, less known to the coun-
~ and 10 the world at large, yet we believe him
= be very honest, sensible, weIl-intentioned
American, who would conduct the affairs Of the
country tcierabiy well; but who from his position,
and from variety Of other circumstances, would
aotbe rs nuch he Pfeaideai as Mr. Clay would be
2r what 81 taat' We have seen, during the last
fosr yssrs, aoS ife talent, and political influence
and personal power, il i necessary for President
Of the United States 70 possess CAPTAIN TYLER
without party TO back him-with no influence
~hafeyer-with very little public reputation in adj
ysnce-assailed by the factions OF both psrties-
stripped Of all personal and political inau-
ence, mas yet been very good President
als saSer the laws, institutions, and public opin.
ion n This couatry, has managed extremely well:
aad = e perfectly evident, notwithstanding all the
ridiculous cries Of the partlzans Of both sides, that
this country ia lug grand movement to great here
alter, IS not 70 be dis not 10 be changed
isnotto be thwsrted il the least degree by the tri
umph or defeat Of any party, or any candidate on
any occasion. The agitation, tumuIt and hubbuI
around US, marking the progress Of this great coun
Try IN lts Presidential election, have no more ef
feet on its great destiny than the fretting and
tuning Of the angry pillows, as they beat upor
the rocks on the sea-shore, have apon the laws oI
nature Or the destiny Of the earth itself
Whoever, therefore, is elected President be il