The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-07


From the returas already received, giving the
result of the recent presidential election in this
country il is very evident to the philosophical OBJ.
server, that more important election has never
been held since the establishment of the present
constitution 1t is probable, that on this occasion
three millions Of Independent men throughout
these tweaty-six States, have come up in the
compass OF two or three days-at almost contempo-
raneous periods-and declared by their votes, de-
posted in the ballot boxes, who is 10 be the chief
magistrate Of this mighty country. AT this mo-
ment we are unable TO say who is elected Presl-
den,-whether it is Mr. Clay or Mr. Polk-for the
great mass OF the whole population are nearly
divided, that it may take some days yet before
that extraordinary result is ascertained and when
il mas been ascerained, it is highly probable that
the successful candidate may triumph by one of
the smallest majorities that ever has determined
such a contest.
In this contest a variety of issues have been in
vovsd-noral, political, social, religious, and, per-
haps, also, commercial. From the extreme close
ness of the contes, 1t might be argued that these
issues, to a cerain extent, have not been decided
upon. but yet believe, from the general charac-
ter OF the result thu. far ascsrtained hat most likely
the most of them have received either inn
pulse depression, from which the philosophical
mind discover the natural results growing out
Of this extraordinary movement OF the people Of
the United States Let us examine this matter
little more closely.
Aud first growing out of this extraordinary
popular struggle for the chief magistracy of this
great counlry, we have evolved the distinct truth
aud great fact, which 10 still denied by the
monarchists of Europe, that free peope-an
intelligent people "a religious people-with GER
tain exceptions in all points, are yet capable
OF going through OF the most extraordi-
nary movemenrs-that OF an election for chief
magistrate, and presenting TO the world at the same
time, spectacle Of moral sublimity that the sun
has never heretofore shone upon-and that s, in
population Of twenty millions, such contest
should be peacefully determined without the
shadow OF military force to maintain the laws
without rot--wiihout nsurrection- with nothing
whatever to mar or deface the moral beauty OF the
movement, except the folly and Encouragement OF
the press and certain politicians preceding the
contest, and few little, paltry, contempt
BILE Grows" here and there in some of the large
cities. This ought 10 teach the monarchlss and
arstocraces OF Europe, well the great popu ar
masses there, that the grand experiment mans ca
pacity Tor efgovernment is successful here to u
degree transcending even the hopes OF the friends
of tree institutions. The enemies of repubcanlsm
in Europe are in the habit OF excaimlng against
the nsurrectionary spirit, which, as they falsely
alledge, prevails in the United States That is all
a silly fable. Popular outbreaks have, it IS true,
occasionally taken place--but what have they been?
Sudden, brief, and evanescent as the explosion OF
rocket But here have seen the great princl-
pies OF the government applied, and the right OF
universal suffrage exercised, whilst unusual popular
excitement universally prevailed, and not Incl
dent occurring to occasion the slightest pain to
true patrot-without any of the riot, and blood
she'd and tumult which are exhibited at every cleo
ton in Great Britain.
This is one Of the principal points or issues es-
tablished and strengthened by the recent election
Another result the complete and utter destruction
of all those mistaken ideas promulgated by the
enemies ofths government in Europe, that we are
divided naton-a divided people-and that there
are elements al work amongst US which VIII de-
stroy the unity Of the people and the government.
But the very division of such mass of intelligence
is is comprised in three millions OF people, into
two great parties, distributed almost equally in
every State-in every geographical division OF the
country, prevents any such idea from obtaining an
ascendancy in this country, division or disso-
luton OF the Union. What can South Carolina
on one side, and few demagogues in Vermont
on the other, or little fraction of abotionsts in
Boston, effect by their densnciations OF the Union
or resolutions declaring its dissolution, when we
see immense masses of the population all uniting
cordially in one great movement The perpetulty
OF this Union is therefore strenglhed and establish
ed by every succeeding election for the Presidency.
To these two most important points, there q
number Of subsidiary or less important ones to be
added all growing out OF the present election -
Amongst these, the most mponant.is, probably, the
moral reaction that will now take place, both in
the press and the people, when they cast glance be
hind them, and the excuses and errors they have
committed in the recent canvass-when they re-
feet upon the outrages against both correct taste
and sound morality. In public meetings-n private
conversatons-ln various associations Of both par
ties errors and excuses were committed, OF which
all, we are sure, will now feel ashamed A great
re- action will now take place, in consequence of
this calm reIrospection, and We are encouraged to
hope that il will tend TO a more rigid adhe
renee hereafter to the principles Of good taste and
sound morality
Another result affecting our foreign and dcmes-
tic relations will also grow out Of this election.
The very closeness of the contest between Polk
and Clay, and the peculiarly of the issues in
volved, have certainly given an impetus TO that
measure which is called the remuneration OF
Texas and also the acquisition OF the Oregon terri
tory. A strong opposition has been made to this
measure in New England, but we are persuaded,
from the extreme closeness of the contest, that
even il Mr. Clay should be elected President, that
measure would still be successful sooner or later,
together with the acquisition OF Oregon to its full
est extent. Another point which may be consider
ed as established, is that in relation to the tariff
the gross decisions on this subject, to which the
popular mind was subjected by the extreme and
INSCRIPTIONS eectioneers Of both parties, will now
he understood The whole country, with some
eight exceptions in South Carolina and else whert,
is we believe in favor of n reasonable tarif1-not