The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-10-12
The Crisis OF the Presidential Question.

Price only 81 cents.
The Crisis OF the Presidential Question,
We have at length reached the crisis Of The
pending presidential question. The events Of the
las. few days have revealed a state of public
opinion which is perfectly astounding to every
CAIN mind and, after setting aside the rubbish
which attends all results and all Developments OF
the future, we are compelled TO come to the con-
clusion, that in consequence Of the introduction OF
two new elements into the elections in the coun-
try, "nativeism" and "abolitionism," the return OF
Henry Clay 10 the presidency may probably
be accomplished. We conceive, that at this mo-
ment the chances OF total and overwhelming
overthrow OF the democratic party throughout the
Union are increasing daily, and though not SO
great as in 1910 when General Harrison succeeded,
are yet thre ateDing in the EXTREMIST degree. Let
come TO particulars
We have recorded, in the columns of our jour-
nal, the result OF all the elections in the various
States which have taken place during the present
year. So far as il was possible 10 separate truth
from falsehood, we have done so-poined out the
falsehood, and given the truth TO our readers
Our uniform purpose has been to examine-to as
cerain-to investigate-and to furnish the truth in
all political results, together with the impression
which these results were calculated TO produce on
a rational inquirng, and philosophical mind, that
did not care red cent which party succeeded in
the contest, provided good government could be
secured by the election of any candidate. Well,
in obedience to these principles, we have given
the facts of the result in Maine, Mary land,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other States, and
the inference naturally 10 be deduced from them.
And, 80 far as the results from those States
have reached us, we have been led to the
conclusion, that greater vote will be
brought out at the present election than
in any former contest in this county
Probably the whole vote, nearly threesmilllons,
will be taken-thereby showing that the great neu-
trail mass OF 800, 600 voters VINO have staid away
from the polls during the last three years, now
coming forward TO decide the question.
Up TO the recent elections IN New Jersey and
Pennsy lvanla we have been disposed to think that
the advantages If any there were were on the side
of the democrats; but since the extraordinary re-
suit Of the Pennsylvania election, and in sight Of
the extremely mesgre majority by which the de-
nocratic candidate is to be elected, if he be elect
ed and the causes which produced that strange and
even-baanced result, we are compelled 10 come
to the conclusion that the contest will be the
incest, the nearest the closest, the most doubtful
that took place in this country since the time
of Jefferson. Yet in the midst of this uncertainty
aud closeness,we begin to discover two elements
the principles which will operate in several of the
large central States on which the whole coniro-
versy will hinge, and by which Mr.. Clay's chances
of being elected next President in this country ap-
pear TO be better than those OF Mr.. Polk, thereby
involving an entire rout of the democracy and
victory to the wings, not by their own efforts
alone, but by awaiting themselves skilfully of Ger
tain local feelings, prejudices and movements.
We have seen in Pennsy lvania, in the midst of
an extraordinary increased vote throughout that
State that the bulk of the neutras have been pref
ty equally divided, and that when any advantage
has been gained by the Wings, it has been in con-
sequence of local excitement, such as that Of
''Nauvelsm in Phllade2hia, Lancaster, and
some other places, calling forth the Protestant
feeling against the Catholics, and producing an al
together element in the great election of this
country. Now, considering that Pennsylvania
that New Jersey-ihat Mary laRd-that every other
State in which an election has recently taken
place, has presented the aspect of closeness that
no one ever expected, and that. too, with full
vote, it is easy to that this election is going
to be decided by tact and skill, and not by general
popular impulses alone. That tact and that skill
which have produced a revolution in PHILADELPHIA
applied to the city Of New York, and operating on
the ''Native" party here and on the abolitionis's
In the interior of the State and also in other free
States, may determine, and most probably will de-
termine, the issue Of this fierce conflict between
the two great contending political parties The
tariff question, of which so much has been said,
appears to have very little effect in the present
state Of the contest.
In New York, Pennsylvania, and other portions
OF the middle and eastern States, both parties
claim to be tariff, whatever their candidates may
be by this or that declaration Of their position And,
indeed, far as the tariff is concerned we believe
that Mr.. Polk, from his own declarations, is very
much such tariff man Henry Clay. Mr.. Polk
commenced his political career as a revenue Tariff
man. Mr.. Clay commenced his as a protective Ia
riff man. But in the variations OF their positions
and opinions within the last few years, they have
come from the two extremes OF the question 10 al
most the same point of compromise. SO then the
tariff question has very little influence or effect in
this election, Notwithstanding all the noise and
balderdash uttered on this subject. We may say
the same thing Of many other questiops--of the
project Of new National Bank-and even Of the
Texas question; tor there are many in the whis
ranks favorable TO the annexation of Texas, and
there are some In the democratic ranks opposed
to the measure. Yet we quite satisfied that the
great mass OF the people of both parties are favor
able TO The annexation Of any good, fat and fair
country TO their own.
The two parties at this moment stand, therefore,
equally balanced-ina perfect equ poise The weight
Of Feather may turn the scale either one way OF The
other, In Maryland, in Maine, in New Jersey, io
Pennsylvania, and, we may also add, in New
York. In such state Of things we are firmly per
suaded that union Of the wings and ''natives" in
the city and county OF New York, and Of the
wings and eboitionists il the interior Of the State
would turn the chances completely in favor Of Mr..
Clay in spite Of all that the democrats coald do
This, therefore, is the critical position OF The demo-