The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-09

THE KENTUCKY ELEcTIoN.-The first returns
from the recent State election In Kentucky appear
gloomy as regards the prospects OF the wings In
that State, and in the West generally. MIR. Crit
tenden has heretofore been supposed TO be one OF
the most popular men in that State. II by any
change of public opinion, any dissatisfaction in
the public mind, arising from any canse, Mr. Crit
tenden's majority be reduced to mere escape from
defeat such fact will have very paralyzing effect
on the contest for the Presidency, in November
next. According to all appearances, if Mr.. Crit
tenden be elected governor at ALL 1t will be by
very small vote day or two will determine the
result, one way or the other.
Whatever may be the result of this election, ii is
very evident that some great and radical change
has taken hold of the wing masses of Kentucky--a
change which seems to affect, also, the same class
in North Carolina. If the symptoms presented by
the elections in those two States prevail in other
State elections in the West, now going on, 1t will
force us TO come TO the conclusion THAT some
causes have been at work. undermining the popu-
larty of General Taylor, during the last year
causes which are now beginning to show them
selves in these results If General Taylor had
been nominated about year ago, such was the en-
thuslasm which he 9yeated by his deeds In Mexico,
that he would have been elected unanimously
by all parties But the period OF year ap
pears TO have worked a change. The SQUAD.
bles between our military generals, after the
conquest OF Mexico, threw stigma over their
military reputation, which also, no doubt,
has affected the standing of General Taylor, as
belonding to that class, although his uniform mo.
oesy uprghtpess, and retiring conduct, presented
a remarkable contrast TO that exhibited by Gen.
Scott and his fellow generals This may be one
Of the causes which have affected the hard-earned
popularity of General Taylor.
Another, no doubt, is the disappointment OF
Mr.. Clay and his especial friends. 1t APP
pears from the Kentucky election, that Mr..
Cntenden went early to work TO undermine
the availability of Mr.. Clay, and to praise
that of General Taylor. We are much afraid
that The high-mlnded Mr.. Crittenden did not
act IN tins matter in very high-minded man.
ner, but that his policy was more that of poll
tican than what frank, open-hear,ed man would
have pursued. Politics have the power OF making
the human heart very crooked stick, and ofdis
posing men TO dodge and turn round corners in
every shutting way, instead OF taking an open,
straight forward path. Another element that has
INJURED the wing party, has been the silly speeches
and electioneering letters OF General Leslie
Coombs who has been perambuating around the
country, and making himself and the cause rldl-
culous. General Taylor's popularity and avala-
biiiy cannot stand everything; and IT he should
lose his election next November, such result
will be brought about more by the Jolly OF the wing
leaders and wing editors, who, beyond all other
classes OF men in the world, seem TO have genius
10 work confusion worse coniounded, ana 10
breed eternal trouble out OF nothing
. We wait with patience Tor further T'ufns from
eH'uChy