The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-06
Views In England on the Presidential Elee-
tiOn In the United States.

The most democratic OF our american contem-
poraries seem more than half inclined to quar-
rel with universal suffrage for It's fruits II is all
but certain that General Taylo will be the new
President-uot, however, because he is a favorlte
with any political party-far from it +; but mainly
because he happens to stand prominently in view
OF the MOSES who are to be moved in any serious
struggle He occupies an emnence, won, indeed,
by no n,ert apparently applicable to the discharge
OF the functions bout to devolve upon hum, but
well IN sight and he owns a character of mega
tive description, which few can very strongly OBJ
Ject to, and many can make up tfelr minds to put
up with. His rivals have all something positively
and strongly Objectionable to some of the great
parties, in power nearly balanced, whose efforts
must decide the contest. Their weak ness makes
his strength. Strongly supported, they are also
strongly opposed. The moderate men of both sides
will vote for Taylor as tolerable and seeing that
his success Is, at least partially, the defeat OF the
extreme men on the opposite side. Recent events,
too, have strengthened the anti-movement party
the men who, under existing circumstances,
greatly prefer President who would do nothing
TO one who would create a disturbance, even to
forward their favorite policy We need hardly
sensitive in the United States. Now the cost of
the Mexican war has been coolIy counted against
the gains and Jonathan Is not elated at the
balance e, though he puts a good face upon the
ing him lesson on the value OF apeaceable main
tenance of things as they are. And the eleva-
ton Of either Cass or Van Buren, would renew
tariff questions, and that of Cass would, 1t is sup
posed include some danger of a rupture with
England-au matters which the, counting house
interest just would fan leave unstirred.
Taylor, whose faint whggery is little offens i've to
the democrats, while his Mexican reputation is.
with them, mark In his favor, Is so little lodged
to any, side OF any great question, that all may
hope for some success. and none have much to
fear. II any especially dissatisfied it Is those
who regard, the proper end of universal suffrage,
the unchecked triumph of democracv-who see
the perfection OF government in the despotlsm of
an carried mob. Against these the federal constl-
tuition has but one defence-a rampant OF money
bags-the conservation that comes of the peaceful
pursuit of dollars And strong is the influence
OF the changes, effected even within single gene
ration, by the steady and rapid growth of the
population and wealth of the United States, that
much more may be reasonably expected from
this tendency than the mere preservation OF peace
for the present
The dangers which threatened the stability of
the Republic few years ago, wear now less
bv tariffs will no so the
soil OF the United States as to keep pace In their
growth with the forms of industry better adapted
to It Even if maintained against their natural
tendency to decline, they must. as national
interest, eventually cease to be important and
with this ch ange must come a corresponding
failure of power in the legislature. The slavery
question may be more difficult to settle; but even
that draws towards settlement under the same
influences, 1t only by iOrce OF that provision OF the
teceral constitution by which the structure OF the
House of Representatives is remodelled, every ten
years, unoh the basis OF each new census. For IN
stance Of the PIG and three delegates
which formed the house, as elected upon the ar
rangement made after the census OF 1870 (gIving
one representative to every 40, 900 OF the popula-
ton, and five slaves counting as three free per-
fons), the thirteen old States returned l5S, and the
fourteen ones, including the unincorporated
the remaining fftyeight. BY the act of Congress
of 1872 founded on the census OF 1910, and giving
one representative to every, 7o,6SO OF the Popua-
ton, the 15S members for the old States was re-
la 81 (Ovt ha Sfaf Ion vi
raised to 95-gvng new total OF 22S This pro-.
cess obviously strikes directly at the Influence of
the manufacturing interests OF the old Northern
States, which have chance, under any possible
tariff of seeing their peculiar interests reproduced
or extended to the westward.
Similarly the slave holding States, which, I'M
der the act of 1923, returned 81 members against
l2i, now return only 81 against l3l.
The equality preserved in the Senate, by giving
two senators TO each State, without reference to
population, offers, it Is evident, but feeble bar
rier to the progress OF the free-trade and anti
slavery movements (hltherto in antagonism In
America) thus urged on by the same means.
From the London News, Oct 19]
An important step has been taken towards the
solution of the Presidential question, which Is now
the all-absorbng topic with American politicians
Shortly after the party nominations IN May ana
June last, elements of dlssension made themselves
apparent both in the wing and democratic ranks,
and led at length In either case, to open disaffec-
ton and DIVISION. "A respectable minority OF the
wing party were extremely dissatisfied at their
favorite candidate being set aside to make room
for Taylor, who, whatever proof he might re-
Gently have given of his capacities as soldier,
had never manifested any ability as statesman
A large section of the democrats were equally
averse to the nomination OF Cass chiefly on the
ground OF his known production Tor slavery. Sc
cesslon took place in both cases, but that amongst
the democrats was most serious, strong abolition
party declaring that it would vote for Van Buren,
ingly doubtful although for time, his chances
were improved by the attitude OF his opponent,
who only lately dotted that reserve upon party
questions which, for time, perplexed his friends,
General Taylor totally Inexperienced the feel
ing which prompted his nomination. Had lttaken
place Immediately after his military successes IN
the Rio Grande, the prestige OF his name might
have secured him the adhesion of the mass OF both
parties. But as time wore on, the popular ardor In
his favor had time to cool, whilst the operations OF
General Scott mere important theatre dlmmed
to some extent the lustre OF his achlevements.
The democratic party then learnt to regard him
simply IN the light of wing candidate, and as
such, of course made up their minds to oppose
him. Since his nomination., therefore, he has
been purely party candidate, relying tor success
on party vote. Ii was some time, however, ere
he perceived this, senting to stand, but profess
sing his intention, if elected, OF beng no party
Pieslden,-pl DECISIONS which might be patriotic.
but which, under the circumstances, were, to say
the least of them, lmpolitlc. They savored too
much Of trimming, and were so indicative oil party
defeat that the section of the wings who were dis
satisfied from the first at his nomination. open
ly substituted the name of Clay for that Of Taylor
as their candidate.
Both parties being thus divided, it was speedily
seen that success was most likely to await that
which would first reconcile its differences. To
effect a reconciliation in the wing ranks, 1t was
necessary that General Taylor should make the
first move. The friends of Mr. Clay would only
support him as an avowedly party candidate: He
had therefore, presented TO hun the alternative OF
losing his election or OF shifting his ground He has
prudcntlyl chosen the latter. and now appears be-
fore the electoral body in that distinctive party
character, which, had he rightly appreciated his
position, he would have assumed from the very
first Gen. Taylor having thus defintlvely given
in his adhesion to the party, the friends of Mr..
Clay no longer hold out against him.; that eminent