The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-10-16

days ago.
Ths Ph,losouhv OF the Late Elections.
The result of the recent elections in Pennsyl-
vanis. MARYLAND and Georgia, has been ver~
different to what was anticipated by either party,
and The effect of the changes made in the polit-
cal complexion of some of these States, will be
very important as regards the Presidential cam
paign. Politicians watch these movements with
a great deal of solicitude, as few weeks may
make vast difference in the position of some of
the leading aspirants for the succession. The
principles of the two great political parties of
the country have been the issue, to greater de-
gree than usual in State elections and the re-
suit has, therefore, been looked upon as indica-
tive of the strength of each party in these
States, upon the general contest year hence.
Such being, in fact, the case, it becomes a mat
ter of much importance to those engaged in
these local contests, to give them the proper d-
rection.
The wings have been sorely disappointed in the
result of the late election in Pennsyl vania. The
tariff and the war questions were fairly before
the people Of that State, and the decision of the
the people must settle all doubt relative to the
lines drawn between the two parties upon these
points. The Wilmot proviso has also received
death blow in Pennsylvania, and it is our i'm
preston that the opinions of some of the Presi-
sidential aspirants will fuctuate considerably in
that particular The Northern candidates find
their prospects becoming less and less favorable
every day, and the chances of those from the
middle States have decidedly improved.
To judge from the course political affairs have
taken, there is no doubt but that James Buchan-
an, OF P~nnsy lvania, will stand better chance
In the Baltimore convention than any other de-
mocratc candidat. in the field The large and
increased majority of Skunk places Mr. Buchan-
an prominently before the country as the first
choice OF Pennsy lvania; and the favorite of the
Keystone State will come before the convent on
with an influence rival can easily annul
The Northern tier of candidates cannot COM
mand solitary Southern State, and very few of
the middle States. Their opposition to the war,
and their adherence to the Wilmot proviso, have
shut them out from even the remotest prebabili-
ty of nomination. We find thus far that the
people are in favor of the war, and every candi-
date known to have been decidedly opposed to it
has been signally defeated. Such has been the
case in the elections which have already taken
places and 1t will be impossible for candidate for
any Office, from the President down, to obtain
the vote of any State out-of New England. The
wing party will split upon this point as it has,
az party, opposed every movement of the gov
eminent 70 prosecute the wpr, and placed every
obstacle In the way the most bitter party malig-
nifty could invent. We have only to refer to the
organs of that party throughout the country, and
of the whig papers generally, to show the prin-
ciples they have advocated, and the candidates of
that party for any Office must abide by the nfu-
ence of those principles upon the people at large
1t is impossible to tell what may happen in the
political world, between this and the Presden-
tial campaign. year frequently produces tre-
mendous revolutions in political as well as in all
other matters. The contest will, probably, be
between strong party candidates; there can be no
neutral or nO-party candidate in the field, as
any names which may be brought forward by
any clique, will, without doubt, be merged
into that of the prominent candidate of each
party, and the contest confined to them. Every
movement in the whig party points to Henry
Clay as the candidate of that party, to the excu-
sion of all others. There are host OF others IN
fhe field, but they will, probably, give way for
that favorte of the party. We look for the usual
nnanimity in both conventions, and the selec-
ton of such candidates as will concentrate the
entire strength of both wings and democrats
The elections WHICH have taken place, and those
about to take place, will point out pretty plainly
the men the people prefer for the highest Office
In their gift, and there will be little difficulty,
when the delegates convene for the purpose of
placing the candidates before the country, in
making the right selection.
These are a few of the leading ideas that sug-
gest themselves in looking over the election re-
turns that have lately been reaching us by tele-
graph.
THE LONG RoLL.-In these warlike days
every body ought to know that the ''long roll''
means call to arms; and whenever it is heard
you are to suppose that the enemy are upon you,
and you must repair with all expedition to your
quarters. Near to the quarters OF the Washing
ton Battalion outside the city of Vera Cruz, was
posted an Illinois regiment Just out, as bold as
lions, but as green as cabbages, and of course
with but slight knowledge of military disci