The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-23

with the first session, and coming down to the last,
they would contain the best materials for a CON-
pre- hensive and philosophical view OF the history Of
that body, and the progress OF republican principles
applied TO practical purposes, under the decisions
of Congress. The time has now come, also, when
the proceedings of such body as the American
Congress will exercise more important influence
on the civilized world than iwas expected they
would. The British Parliament may be considered
the organ of past times and the interpreter of past
institutions. Its policy presents barrier to the
rapid progress of free principles throughout Eu-
rope. 1t is at the head of the party which stands
still, or, in other words, the conservative power
OF the old world. The National Assembly of
France, on the other hand, occupies directly op-
posite position. 1t may be considered the organ
OF the advanced ideas of the human race but 1t is
vague, practical and philosophical, all mixed toge-
Their, without order and in great confusion The
American Congress, without any of the reactive
or stationary spirit which prevails IN the British
Parliament, Is also removed from those wild and
Impractcable theones-those sudden and over
whelmlng impulses, which too frequently mark the
character and progress of the French Assembly.
The time has come, therefore, for the debates in
wisdom to the whole of Europe, and any system
by which those debates can be given IN full
length and rapidly to the world, would not only
increase the influence of this country on the affairs
of Europe, but also enlghlen our public men, dis
pei the spirit of party, elevate intelligence, and
make intellect more powerful in our Presidential
contests, than factional or local interests Of any
kind. For this purpose, If Congress were TO ex-
pend from fifty to even two hundred thousand dol
lars each session, for publishing full reports of
their debates In the journals of the largest circu-
iaton IN our principal cities-comprlsing New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltlmore-such
a plan would be OF more public and national
benefit than the millions which are foolishly
wasted in various ways on the party journals of no
circulation, and other Jobs based on corruption and
favorItlsm.
The PRESIDENTIAL CoNTEsr-THE SECRETARY
OF STATE ON THE STUMp.-We published, in yes
terday's Herald, short synopsis OF a speech de-
hvered by the Hon. James Buchanan, Secretary of
State of the United States, at political meeting
held in the city of Washington, on Friday evening
last, In favor of Cass and Butler, the democratic
nominees for the Presidency and Vice Presidency
received by means of the telegraph and published
will find full report of the same. which we
received by the mail. Apart from the distinguish
ed source from which it emanated, this speech
will be read with great interest, by politicians and
the public, in every part of the Union.
In one respect at least, the election which is
about to take place, Is peculiar-we mean in the
number of distinguished men who have taken the
stump IN the support of the candidates of their
respective parties. 1t twas only short time ago
that Mr.. Dallas, the Vice President of the United
States, presided at political meeting In favor OF
Cass and Butler, and to-day we publish speech
made by the Secretary of State. We are not
sure, as regards the latter, but Mr. Dallas, is the
first Vice President of the United States since
the organization of the government, that did,
while holding Office, make speech of this
decriptlon. The other day, too, Mr.. Johnston,
the wing candidate for Governo. of Pennsy!-
vania, delivered speeches on his own behalf
In several parts of that State, and 1t is sup
posed that those spec ches conduced in q great
degree to his election Candidates for the Co.
yernorshlp of other States have done the same
during the present fall; and we are not certain
but that Mr.. Polk, President of the Union will
descend from the executive chair and stump II
through the Union for Cass and Butler. In case
he make up his mind to do so, we hope that he
will be In better spirits and better health than
he was In when he visited New York last summer
We would advise him, too, to avoid drinking
water as soft as our Croton, for reasons well
known to himself, so as to guard against a con-
tIngency of an unpleasant nature, which married.
TO great degree, the enjoyment which he other
wise might have had IN visiting our institutions,
and inspecting the High Bridge at Harlem.
JOHN VAN buren, AND HIS STUNNING SINGULAR
CHARGE.-A very strange and almost unbelievable
charge was made against John Van Buren, in our
contemporary, the Erening Post, few days since
A correspondent of that journal, living at New
Bedford, Mass, writes to Mr.. Bryant that dis.
tiDgulshed ex-member of Congress from this city,
(alluding, evidently, to the Hon. Moses II. Grin
nell stated before the Taylor Club of that place,
that the wings of New York had advanced money
to John Van Buren,, for the purpose of procuring
his services IN favor of the free soil movement, in
order, by making division IN the democratic
ranks, to enable the wings to elect General Tay-
lor This, we believe, is the substance of the
charge. OF course nothing is yet known to
the public, beyond the simple allegation put
forth IN the rrespondence OF the Eren,ng
oS' Se', ~ 10 eNiueH', Dc co!oI 10 sucn7a
charge, that the movement of Mr.. Van Buren,
may have the tendency and purpose attributed
to it by the New Bedford correspondent of Mr..
Bryant. We have always estimated, IN forming
an opinion of the probable result of the present
contest, that the free soil movement, of which
John Van Buren, is the hero and Demosthenes,
may be the means of electing General Taylor, in
the same way as the Birney movement elected
Mr.. Polk four years ago. The only difference be-
tween them, in their operation, is, that the diver.
sion by the free soil movement Is made from the
ranks of the democratic party, while the Biney
movement detracted from the forces of the wings
of that day. /: is impossible, however to say,
positively, what will be the effect of the free soil