The New York herald., 1845-11-04
The Election---Its Singular eristlcs.

The Election---Its Singular Charact teristics.
The election takes place to-day, beginning with
sunrise and ending with sundown. In some
spects is interesting and curious, though nothing
great is pending. One of its most amusing features,
and philosophical too, is the development of all
of opinions, and the attempt of every little sect
and clique to carry their peculiar notions into
the election and procure the concurrence of public
opinion their individual nosums so far regards
religion society," public policy, morals, and in fact
every thing connected with social and private life.
There are certain periods when il is well for the
mind TO dwell upon the peculiar characteristics of
the time, and compare them with those of past ages
marking the differences that have grown up by the
progress OF human nature. For instance, il we look
back five hundred, fifteen hundred years, in the
progress ofthe civilized races, we would find that
great changes had been wrought in the manner in
which opinions are brought forward and enforced In
this latter day. During the last few days. we have
had all sorts of opinions expressed in religion, poll
tics, society, and every thing else. We have Fou-
rlerism, infdelity, Owenism, anti-rentism, aboi-
tlonsm, utratemperanceism, all the varied, ultra,
wild and novel views of the recent conventions and
their advocates. In former times, the annuncatlon of
many Of these opinions would have spread the fire
and sword over every portion of society. The
founder of christianity, because he differed with the
leading politicians and philosophers, and priests, of
his own people, eighteen centuries ago. was taken,
condemned, and put to death in the most ignomi-
Nous manner Even three hundred years ago, if we
look upon the old world and recall the scenes enact
ed in the great capitals of Europe, we will find the
same blood-thirstiness and intolerance. Men went
to and butchered each other on account OF some
absurd and trivial difference in matters of
religion. faith. The fires of Smithfeld were
lighted up, and human beings consumed at
the stake, because they differed from other human
bsings, their friends and countrymen, abost some
abstruse point in theology But now what vast
change has taken place in the lapse of but few
years Here we see this day in New York. city
containing halt million OF inhabitants, profess
sing the greatest variety of creeds, and holding all
sorts of opinions, perfect and universal TOLERATE on
each man believing and expressing what doctrines
he pleases in religion and everything else, and all
endeavoring to mike proselyes, yet not the slight
est disturbance produced to society. All is AMIGA
bly, settled by appeal to the ballot box This is,
indeed, real civilization.
The Fouriente has labored hard to enforce his
opinion. So has the inidel. So has the Atheist
So has the temperance man. So has the intolerant
Presbyterian. So has the Catholic. Yet amid all
the conflict, and clamor, and controversy in the
press and In public meetings of the people, the great
movements OF society go peacefully. BY sun
down this evening, the whole of the questions that
have been agtating this community for the last six
weeks, will have been quietly put to rest Yet in
another age and another part of the world this agi-
tation would have produced long years of blood
shed, ruin and desolaton. Now, however, owing
10 the advance of the race in the march to freedom
and happiness, all is peace and quiet. Tomorrow
all will go to their business usual, whoever may
he elected, or whoever may be defeated
LITERARY YlNTELLlGENcE-MAGAzINE LITERATURE
Yesterday was the day when all the monthly ma
games due Some of them are out. and in a
few days we will have them all Gody's. Graham's.
the Columbian, Knickcrbocker, Democratic Repiew,
Hunts Magasine, and american Reriec
great change and revolution has taken place in
magazine literature within the last few years. In
the early period of the cheap literature of the age
when a taste for reading became universally dIffi,-
sed, magazine literature experienced great revi-
val. AT one time, we are informed, Graham's
Magazine had circulation of SO, 600 copies per
month. This has now fallen to % ,OOO About the
same time Gody's Magazine had circulation of
about 40,OOO-now 1t is about $4,000 In these
palmy days the two magazines Just named occupied
the field to the exclusion of all others even this
great literary and philosophical city, New York.
could not compete with them. The Ladvs Com
famiom OF that period never rose above circula-
ton of $1,000, and has since gone out of existenc.
new era, however, is now approaching in ma
gazine literature In this city we publish four
or five magazines-the Columbian by Post. edited
by Inman-the Knckerbocker by Clarke-the Mer-
chants by Hunt--the Democratic Repirp and the
american Revie,c OF all these, the Columbian
has the largest circulation, being about $1,000
The Rn,ckertocker clrculates about 1000. and
the others less New York is thus fast attain.
ing superiority in this department of literature
over Philadelphia We have ne doubt indeed that
IN very short time, the New York maya.
zines will lar exceed, in point Of circulation and
value, those of Philadelphia 1.-THE same way that the
newspaper press Of this metropolis has exceeded and
takes the lead Of all the other newspaper press Of
the country This change will be effected by the
superior business arrangements, ensSgy and enter.
prise OF the New York publishers
OF the New York magazines the Cohen bian
published by Post, is, as have already said. fal
ahead all Its competitors. Israel Post Is a very sin
sular man. He commenced his earthly pilgrimage
as a modest mechanie-either as printer, tailor OF
blacksmth we don't exactly know which, but like
all original geniuses, he was destined to rise above
the dull and podding ways of mechanical industry
he has now attained distinguished rank in the re.
public OF letters, and is regarded as sort OF Con-
stable, Backwood, or Murray, in the literary cir IS
OF great mighty, philosophical and beautiful.
new York Under very unassnming exterior
rost conceals great deal Of shrewdness, wit
and philosophy But his original qualities REQUIRE
tooe drawn out at literary soires, where firs, rate
oysters and glorious champagne abound He !,
then more than Post-or as he is called bv Some
Of his writers, postnorte, postobit post-hur,or,,
post-daupian Post is collecting about him br
liant circle OF original writers, superior to his ed
tor Inman, and in few years his magazine will B.
the American " Black wood