The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-23
Who Is to be next President 2-VVhen are
we 20 travel on n streak OF lightning

politician; TO lie Vervier, the young astronomer
of France, as to Prince John the Iyoung politician
of Undertook.
As an impartial and independent commentator
on the unchanging phase of the moon and OF the
political events we propose TO take look at the
various elements OF success which seem now to
inspire the two great parties in the country, in
reference to the fast approaching Presidential
contest of '4s, and leave the reader 10 draw his
own differences.
The wing party possesses many elements of
great strength Ii is lclear that they have the
tional sympathy with them, in as far as it is
their avowed policy to encourage the mechanic
arts and all forms of home industry, in preference
10 foreign. The tariff question will, therefore, be
tower OF strength for the wings in the coming
contest They will also pay successful court to the
great interests of the West by the favor they have
ever shown TO all schemes for the improvement of
rivers, lake harbors, &c. sc. That general fea-
ture Of wing policy which processes 10 respect
and to sustain all existing interests in contradis
tnchon to the ignis fataus policy of following
after the doubtful light ofnew theories and imprac
ucable reforms, will also appeal with great force
10 popular favor. But with all these advantages,
the wing partyis essentially weak in many res
poets 1t is weak in a ridiculous assumption of
superior wealth-it is weak in its International
traditons-t is weak in It's avowed want Of con-
fdence in the sovereign efficacy of popular intel
ligence and virtue. AS party, the wings place
no reliance on that public reason which is alike
the instrument of power and the Judge of its
ercse
The democratic party has also its ele ments of
peculiar strength and especial weakness. 1t is
in its in fhe md of the
final judgment of popular opinion. 1t is strong
in its traditional patriotism. 1t il strong in its
universal hostility to aristocratc rule and the un
due influence of money over mind and opinion.
1t is strong in the general intelligence and explicit
bility OF its theories of popular government But
tits weak in the divisions which reign throughout
the party, in reference to the currency and the
tariff In many States there are unfortunate 10.
cal causes of dissention which have led to re-
cent defeat; and unless common sentiment of
danger should eradicate them, will effect their
final overthrow. If the democratic party could
once come to a permanent understanding in ac-
cordance with public sentiment on the su bject of
the currency and the tariff, there would be no
chance for the wings. We have thus sketched
the peculiar outlines of each party, per sc, as John
Tyler would say
But both parties have other, and perhaps greater
difficulties to overcome in the rival pretensions of
their respective leaders.
Beginning with the whig leaders at the North, and
we have Mr.. Webster, whose splendid intellect
has few equals, either in the general compass of
mental attainments or in their especial applica-
blity to the science OF government. But Mr..
Webster Notwithstanding his great capacities of
usefulness, is borne down, probably beyond the
reach of redemption, by the hereditary and long
cherished sin of federalism, strongly tine
tured, as it ever has been, with a reported
sympathy and Partially for every thing English
--k nglish laws, English principles OF government,
English nobility, English policy, and English as
cendancy over all other nations. Such were the
features and preferences of ancient federalism, in
which Mr.. Webster was, most unfortunately both
for himself and his country, schooled and nuriur-
ed, till the whole frame of his mind became, per-
haps involuntarily, but thoroughly, anti-Ameri-
canized. Still the partsans of Mr.. Webster are
sufficiently numerous and attached to render his
claims effective obstacle to the success of any
other candidate to the honors of the chief magis-
tracy.
Mr.. Clay, the standing aspirant Of the last
twenty years, possesses great and universally
acknowledged abilities, and has rendered his
country eminent service by the brilliancY and the
power OF his eoqusnce, as well as by the practical
and useful character of the leading schemes of
policy which he has advocated through long
public life No contests the elevation and
the purity Of his patriotism. Old as he is could
he once reach the Presidency, there can be no
doubt that the iron character of his WILL and the
enlightenment ofhis mind on all subjects touching
the material interests of the country, would give
us administration that would leave a deep and
lasting impression; for good for evil, on the tu-
ture fortunes Of the republic. But Mr. Clay has
been so long before the public, without ever
having reached the aim Of his ambition, that
very general sentiment pervades the public mind
that the fates have declared against him, and that
all future efforts to place him in power will be
as vain as those which have already so often
failed. He, therefore, cannot probably be made
a candidate of the wing party, with any una
nimty or chance of success.
Judge Mclean, of Ohio, is, perhaps, the only
other candidate of the wings who will seriously
contend for the succession. His claims to popular
favor rest mainly on the universally acknowledged
enlightenment cfhis mind, purity ofcharacter, and
superiority and well balanced abilities. Endow-
ed with extraordinary vigor of mind, command
ing dignity OF character and rectitude of percep-
ton and judgment, with the embellishments of
successful study, and long practical observation
of the workings and defects of our institutions
he is perhaps better fitted than any other man of
his party to give the country wise and Just adj
ministration of its affairs. Disconnected from all
ciiq~s, unlike Mr.. Clay or Mr.. Webster in this
respect, the character, known and well settled
opinions, of this distinguished man, offer the best
rallying ground for the wings But whether
the friends of the other candidates will agree
TO unite on him, is the question which time only
can solve. He seems the only wing candidate
against whom there are no antipathies, and who
unites the confidence of the popular masses and
the more intellectual portion of society.
There are other aspirants OF secondary class.
but none whose claims or abilities are likely to
attract the serious attention of the President-mak
lie Tor tba