The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-01
The Next Presidency.

The Next Presidency.
Once upon a time an honest couRtryman, wan
dering through the forest, CHANGED to light his
pipe at the cell of a magician. In this cell he
found singular old volume, which told him the
mode OF raising the devil at his option. In leav-
ing, he took the volume Of knowledge, with all
the accompanying documents, as they say in Con-
gress, in order to avail himself of this new spe-
cies of speculation. After reading the volume,
he went through the ceremonies; and after a
shock of electricity equal to that of the electric
telegraph, and highly respectable clap of thun-
der and lightning, the devil, in all his natural
lineaments stood before the poor farmer The
speculator and the devil looked at each other.
The poor man was terrified and amazed at
his own power, and was silent. The devil
opened his burning mouth and said, What do
you want of mel" No reply from the farmer
"What the devil do you want of mer Still no
reply. The poor man had raised the devil, and
in an instant both disappeared on a streak of
lightning, and nothing was left of the farmer but
a grease spot two inches wide, and one and a
quarter long, which may be seen yet somewhere
in the neighborhood of the part of the country
where the incident occurred.
Such, weare afraid, in political point of view,
is the condition Of Mr.. Polk, President of the
United States. He has raised the devil in the
Mexican war; but how can he lay him? He has
got into position out of which no one can see
any easy method of getting out. Mr.. Folks
plans have been brilliant, magnificent, wonder
ful, and startling. He has created for this coun-
try reputation in Europe greater and brighter
than ever it had attained IN any former age. He
has called into existence two of the greatest mil
itary heroes of the present day-General Taylor
and General Scott; with all their attendant heroes
around them. down to the very lowest private in
the army. Yet one thinks of giving any
merit to Mr.. Polk. No one thinks of rewardng
the administration on this account In fact,
Mr.. Polk and the administration have raised
hurricane that has called up the very devil in
politics, which will destroy every vestige ofthe
party which gave birth to this presidency. At
this moment the democratic party is broken into
fragments in all the principal States of the Union,
with the exception, perhaps, of one or two. No
unity of purpose seems to animate their ranks.
Buchanan is spoken of as candidate for the next
Presidency in one section-Woodbury in an
other-Cass in another-Mr. Polk no where. An
other significant feature of the present day is,
that General Taylor, who but few months ago
was prominent candidate, is now almost for
gotten in the rising fortunes of General Scott,
who is the bright star of strong section of peo-
pie in certain quarters. The truth is, that Scott
and Taylor, by their great deeds, their bright
acts, their military courage and reputation,
have shot ahead of all others, !at the present
moment, as fas as regards the Presidency.
General Taylor, it is true, with all his
good sense and talent, has committed some
.faur pas which Clay did three years ago
he has written too many letters. If he had
never replied to one sent him, he would stand
better at the present day than he does.
Such Is the state of things as regards public
opinion in this country; yet we are In the midst
of one of the most important parts of the history
of the republic. The ensuing State elections
will furnish us with the remaining indications
of public opinion in the places where they will
be held. So far as regards the presidency in
connection with men, nothing is more uncer-
tain, nothing more involved in mystery, nothing
more thickly covered with clouds and darkness
But as regards the progress of this republic
as great nation-its position as a mighty COM
monwealth-its growing power and present i'm
portance, there is no question. We are within
quarter of the distance of the great metropolis
of England and of France, that those capitals are
a
belong to the great coRfederacy of civilized life,
the head quarters of which are in Europe We
have become a part OF the civilized world, and
we must now take position, not only as
great people, as mighty nation, but as one of
the greatest nations, in military and naval
power, in commercial and political power,
that the world has yet seen. In the pre-
sent crisis of Mexican affairs, we do not
believe they can be settled in the next
Congress, or by the present Executive, but
that it will require another and a greater appeal
to public opinion, which will be evolved in the
presidential election. In various quarters, pub
lie opinion seems to point to other candidates
than those we have named; and according to the
huzzas among a strong party in this city, we
should not be surprised to see Henry Clay, yet,
one of the foremost candidates for the impor-
tant post of President. The old questions which
divided the old parties are dying away. New
questions, involving national principles, are rising
up, which will bring us into direct contact with
European statesmen and European powers, and
make ne W men and new parties but the coun-
try itself, and the people, and every department
OF life, be 1t war or commerce, must 60 forth
and become the leading spirits of the age.
The New Movement In Philosophy.
There is remarkable philosopher, recently
from Germany, who is now delivering series
of lectures upon natural history and its wonders,
at the medical school Of Crosby street College.
This distinguished savant is professor of ply
siology and natural history in the alma mater of
New England, Harvard university-an institu-
ton distinguished by numerousripe scholars and
fully formed philosophers. Professor Agassiz is,
we believe, a native of Germany, country