The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-12

a little. This, however. will be excused
The next Preside cy-The Feuds In the De-
mocratic Party.
We have endeavored, in former articles, 10
"show cause" tor the extraordinary revolution
in public sentiment now sweeping over the ooun-
try from north 10 SOUTH and from east 10 west,
and making itself manifest in apparent over
whelning overth -ow of the democratic party
Bat there are other local and minute causes, in
addition 10 those we have hitherto mentioned,
which have contributed to that overthrow
streams which, while the surface of the political
current flows smooth, and to all appearance un-
rpfltd, run in contrary directions below-wheels
within wheels, the machinery OF which works in
visible to the public ken, but nevertheless gives
aim, direction and effect to the workings OF that
mighty engine-popular will.
The prospects of the democratic party are at
present by no means coilsur de ROSE They have
for the next Presidential campaign, number OF
candidates who will not yield their individual
claims, and whose friends and partisans are fierce
in their determination to oppose the nomination
or election of any other than the man Of their
choice. The party is moreover divided, the West
against the South, and the breach between these
to say, the Southern portion of the democracy
has, within year, become conservative, because
ouTstnpped in hot progressive ardor by the West
The democracy of the Eastern and middle States
have become impassive and lukewarm, manifest
ing little interest in the fate of party, except for
individual aggrandizement.
Some of the hidden causes of the present reyo-
luton, to which we have alluded, are to be
rAA hart
ven,ou. That assembly was composed of
very discordant elements. There were CAL
houn men, and Van Buren, men, and
Wright men, and Cas- men. The friends of
Van Buren, had majority in the convention, but
Were defeated by the pressure of the two-thirds
rlile Their most strenuous opponents were he
friends of General Cass. The natural con.e-
Guence was, that the latter, in their turn, were
defeated by the opposition Of the Van Buren, par
ty. The friends of Mr.. Calhoun were weak, and
he was consequently thrown overheard The
prominent candidates beng thus no de con,bat,
the choice of the convention fell upon Mr. Polk,
man entirely unconnected wi h any of the anita
gouistc sections OF the par y, and consequen not
obnoxious to any. The result, as far as Mr.. Folk
rs concerned, is known. But from that day
forward, the friends Of General Cass have
awaited an opportunity to wreak their
vengeance on the Van Buren, party. The
recent election in this State was the first that
offered. That they did not neglect it, the
defeat Of Silas Wright is a convincing proof.
They would have been satisfied if Wright had
failed in his election by a few votes Even his
election by meagre msjority would have served
their purpose (which was to shelye him, by show
ing that he was incapable of bringing out the
strength of the party in his own State. But they
did not count upon other causes tending to pro-
duce the same effect, though to a much greater
extent than they anticipated, or even desired.
On the other hand, the Van Buren, men have
not been idle. Their influence has not been want
ing to give the wings IA preponderance in Mich.
gan. in order to show how trifing is the influence
Of Gen. Cas- in his own State and thus to DESTROY
mis- chances, in return for the opposition OF
mis- friends to Mr. Van Buren, at the Baltimore
Convention. Their efforts have been crowned
with complete success; so that like the two valor-
GUS Kilkenny cats renowned in story, the Sc two
opposing forces have contrived to virtually ami
hilate each other, leaving but minute portion of
their respective caudal extremities US mementses
Of the sad catastrophe.
But both parties now find that this warfare has
nble injury to each other, but they have, in effect,
brought down the pillars OF the temple on their
own heads, and have carried destruction into the
ranks OF their own party. Like the magician's
luckless pupil, mentioned in German story. IN Nv
have evoked legion of watery spirits which thew
cannot lay, and which now threaten to over.
whelm them. They have endeavored in vain to
undo the mischief they have produced. and il will
require the voice of masters spirit to command
tho threatening flood of adverse popular opinion
TO subside.
Il 10 evident that to give the democratic party
even partial chances OF success in the next Presi-
dental electon,a tremendous reaction must take
place in popular sentiment. The democracy is now
In the crisis Of disaster, and an ugly and danger
Gus crisis II il. Some man must be chosen who
IS above reproacb, has rendered distngu ished
service to the country, can enlist the feelings OF
the masses in his BEHALF is deeply imbued with
aemocratic principles though not bigot, and
above all, who is not entangled in the meshes of
sectional antagonism. Such a man, neither
700 progressive nor too stationary, of views
SoihPfenensive as TO take In the inte-
iesS Oh every section of the Union, and who
capaoie Oh eschewing all sectional pre;u-
oices when they conflict with his duty to the conn
Try nj large-such man, we say, might succeed
10 uniting the scattered forces of the democr.,;o
party, and leading them to victory in 1919 Ca
such man be found Mr.. Polk has declined !,
reelection. The friends OF Mr.. wrigh, and c,er
Safs have, az we have shown, mutually. nearly