The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-02

stow the most important Office within their gift AZ
metropolitans In the present situation Of the coun
try it Is more than usually necessary that The choice
should be made with great circumspection We
are not only about TO witness of the most exct-
Ing elections on principles Of constitutional reform,
but we may be called on to make preparations TO
resist the attacks of most powerful foreign Toe.
We do not doubt there are many in our commu-
nifty who might Till the station with perfect respec-
liability; but as these are totally unnouced, and
equally unknown, we feel more than ordinary anxi-
ETY. as TO the selection Of the proper candidate on
whom the duties Of chief magistrate are to devolve
tits not only extremely important that integrity and
fairness should be among the characteristics
witty, enterprise and intellect are equally essential
while combined, they will inspire and possess the
necessary degree of public confidence, on every
emergency involving difficulties, however they may
arise. II the chief magistrate should not enjoy the
public confidence, there will exist INDIGESTION in the
municipal councils, which will eventually termi-
nate in producing spirit of distrust and extreme
weakness.
The gentleman to whom these important duties
shall be entrusted, must be prepared to encounter
responsibilities Of the most delicate and embarrass-
ing character. If the nation shall unfortunately be-
come involved in hostile conflict there will be no
end to the public demands. The community must
look to the qualifications of the indlvidual-they
will be oanvassed, approved or condemned without
stint or measure; and in proportion to their merit
will the public mind rest satisfied, and submit to
the adoption OF whatever measures may be esteem
ed properly adapted TO the urgency OF the occasion
II, as we would say, the commanding officer should
lack energy or spirit, there will not only exist
want of promptness, but an absence Of intelligent
preparation.
The city affairs must be under the government Of
some individual who will combine all these pre-re-
qusi'es. In times Of revolution, wars, or great
tlonal caamltics. there must exist, somewhere, at
the fountain head. capacity and an intellectual
moral firmness equal to whatevery emergency shall
present itself. II not alone necessary that the
public counsels should be wise-heir executive adj
mlnistration is even more important. In our coun-
try we enact many excellent laws, but the fear of
popular dspeasure, too often creates disposition
to temporize, totally destructive Of good govern
ment. II we are to depend our resources In case
OF war, 1t is absolutely necessary that the public
should know that the executive magistrate is COM
petent to bear the burthens with ease, and reliable
assurance.
We repeat, that il is of the highest importance to
our municipal welfare, that the chief magistrate
should possess energy, intelligence, promptness of
purpose, and popularity Of manner and disposition.
Without these qualifications, the confidence Of the
public could not be acquired; deprived Of which, he
never would or could act with vigor and general
usefulness The magnitude and variety Of interests,
the greatness and heterogeneous character Of the
population, the state and condition of our financial
operations, are Of such delicate and multiplied i'm
portance, that too much care cannot be exercised
by the committees of nomination Of each political
party.
1.-THE democratic party candidate possess the me-
cessary qualifications, there are obvious reasons
why he should succeed; while he would then egltl-
mately enjoy the confidence Of the masses, the coun-
tenance and support of the conservative powers
would be sure to follow; but, deprived Of the re-
spect and attachment OF the popular feeling we can
easily foresee nothing but distress, extravaganza
and bad counsels-a perfect chaos OF inconsistent
cies.
We sincerely hope the nominating committees
will look calmly and seriously to this subject, as in
volving momentous consequences to the result of
their labors much more responsibility is attached
than at present we fear seems to occupy their deli
beratc consideration for did they know how rer-
fecty neglected and unprotected are the great nte
rests Of New York, by the State and General Gov
ernments, they would make their selection under in
fuences more with reference to the public necessi.
ties, than are usually felt or exhibited.
The UNPARALLELED FREsHErs Every mail for
the last three weeks or more, has us freight
ed with the intelligence of disasters by freshets
Bridges without number have been swept away
houses carried of-railroads submerged embank-
ments northumberland Of acres of land de-
uged and property of all kinds destroyed to an i'm
mense amount In fact such injury by floods has not
occurred in this country for the last fifty years. We
had hoped, few days since, that the melancholy
progress Of these disastrous outbreaks Of nature was
about to be stopped, but the last Eastern mail has
brought us the details Of overwhelming food in
Name, by which at least one million dollars worth
Of property has b,en destroyed, and the probability
is that in all parts Of the Union upwards OF two mil
lions Of dollars worth Of property has been swept
away by these dreadful floods.
The particulars of the freshets in Maine are gwen
in another column
Against such disasters as these no provision can
possibly be made-the reslstless tide sweeps away
every defence that the arm OF man can erect Thou
sands have probably been ruined, but ii is great
source OF satisfaction that so few lives have been
lost The awful loss OF life occasoned by the dread
full gales upon our coast has been sufficient to cast
pail oil gloom over a great portion of the commune
ty, without any addition from tine freshets We
must humby acquiesce in the inscrutabe DEGREES Of
Providence.
1t is thought these immense freshets indicate
wet summer. 1t will be recollected that last sum.
mer was remarkably dry one, and hence the spread
OF the fresh that season.
SHIP ST.. PATRIcK.-This ship received pilot on
Tuesday morning at 10 A. M, and was at that time
about 80 miles southeast from the Hook. We give
the following extract from her log book -" Made
the Highland lights at p. M, Tuesday night,
(civ time)-weather thick and rainy; A. NJ,
Highland lights still in sight Ia. NJ, wore to the
&C he ihaxc mn