The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-30


very brief period of time has elapsed since the
great presidential contest, which shook and agita-
ted the country from extremity to the other,
terminated in the election of the Democratic cand-
date ; but already we see the fierce struggle be-
tween the contending parties resumed, and in all
directions the opposing elements again at work
The old ciqws in both paresare active as ever, and
new ciiques are rapidly forming. A fresh game has
been commenced, and on the great political chess
board, the players make, with more or less cautious
ness and skill, the movements which are to result at
the end ofanother four years in the run for the time
OF one or other of the parties. What is the great
object of all these movements of cliques
and parties-these muterngs of discomfort
these clamorous appeals to the administration
these cunning and far-reaching mannuvres
of aspiring party leaders E! A bret glance at the
philosophy of the politics of the United States will
render the whole matter clear and Ineligible so that
he that may read.
Political movements in this country, in the State
Legislatures and in the General Government exhi-
bit constant series OF struggles between two great
parties who in reality the government, and con-
troll and direct the destinies of the republic One
party represents the strong popular mpulses-he de-
mocratic, onward, ultra tendencies, sentiments and
opinions of the people and the time-the other the
more subdued and restricted views and opinions of
particular and powerful interests and classes.
embodying much of the educated intelligence
and acquired wealth of the community These
two great parties-the democrats and wings
must always of necessity exercise the prepondera-
ting influence in political affairs. Third parties
may and anon, in time past, spring upfound-
ed on some particular idea and acquiring varying
rs
the slightest direction to the great machinery of
government, when by reason of the exceeding
closeness of the contest between the two great
antagonists in the field, comparatively trifing
influence employed one way or the other, may de-
termine the issue In this category ranks the
"liberty' party, and in it also we have the "na-
tives." The latter hardly raised ripple on the
broad ocean of politics. and their party now number
ed amongst the things that were. Shrieking APP
peals may indeed still be made to the prejudices
and bigotries of ignorant and malignant natures
Levins may blaspheme the memories of martyred
patriots by bowling their very graves, and in
sight of raised in honor of their glorious
deeds, frantic TRADES against the first and best prin
ciples of that civil and religious liberty in defence Of
which they shed their bood-but for all that, natv
ISM is dead and buried for ever As for the ber-
ty' party, the little influence which circumstances
gave to it, is fast declining, and it be at all
included in any philosophical estimate of the ele-
ments which operate with controlling potency in the
world of politics.
Thus, then, the empire is divided between the two
great parties-whig and democratic. And they, as
we have said, are virtually the government Of the
country. The civil government OF the United States
was framed on the same fictitious theory as
that on which the British Constitution has been
founded. The President, Senate, and House
ofRepresentatives, were supposed to be analogous
to the King, Lord and Commons of Great Britain
the one operating as a check upon the other. In
England, where the House of Peers is composed Of
the great landed propretors, occupying their seats
by hereditary title and the highest dignitaries of the
church, whilst the House of Commons is composed
of representatives taken from the people, this
theory, TO certain extent holds good in practice
But here is perfect fiction. In this country it is
in the constant antagonism of the two great political
parties that we find the check which efectuay pre-
vents any continued course oflegisatlon injurious to
the interests Of the whole people. 1t is this in
deed, which constitutes one of the surest safe
guards of the prosperity and perpetuity of the
republic so long as the two predominant parties
retain, and from the of things they must re-
tain, their present nicely balanced relative degrees
of strength and influence, the most wholesome and
salutary check which the wisest statesman or Con-
stitution-ms niger could DEVISE exists in the practical
admir- stration of the different branches Of the gov
eminent. The very vastness Of the territorial limits
within which this system of government is in ope-
ration, we may also here add one of the most es-
sential elements of its success and permanence.-
Over SO extended dominion, individual sway ne
yer can be exercised; and the wider il be extended
the greater the necessity of union for the secur.
ty .of the mutual interests OF all. 1t is in
this view of the action and influence OF politica
parties, that all the movements OF each become
invested with peculiar dignity and interest Re
garded in this light, these movements cease to b,
the mere squabbles of factions, contending for tn
"spois'' of office, or the paltry struggles OF ambi
tious and selfish demagogues. Every great measure
involving materially the interests OF the country,
affes ID in greater or less degree, by these part
movements. The foreign relations of the republic
its internal prospcrityits trade, its agriculture
manufactures its financial affairs, its civil institu
tions--the administration of government and tn
Iaws-may be all affected by the issue OF struggl
between the two parties about some comparatvel
trivial subject. Nay, even the faction-fight of tw
cigues of the same party, may have bound up in il
ISSUE results of the most momentous importance.
Hence il is, that to the phosophic and indeper
dent observer, the movements now in progress
over the country, so significant and full {
interest To what do all these movements tend
They have all one common obiect-one bearin
and tendency--and that is I" the succession" A
soon as one presidential election is over the prep,
rations for the next begin. The antagonism b,
tween the two opposng forces never ceaaea
this moment, the various contending ci,gues in tn
democratic party just as keeny engaged
playing their respective parts in the great gam
as the were before the nomination of Mr. Pol
united them In the common struggle So a lso wit
L. l. L. III