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

The most democratic of our American cOnten-
poraries now seem more than half inclined to guar,
rel with universal suffrage for Its fruits. 1t is all
but certain that General ylor will be the new
President-not, however, because he is favorte
with any political party-far from it but mainly
because he happens to stand prominently in view
of the mssses who are to be moved in any serious
struggle. He occupies an emlnence, won, indeed,
byn merit apparently applicable to the discharge
OF the functions about to devolve upon him, but
wea IN sight and he owns character of mega
tive description, which few can very strongly OBJ
ec1 to, and many can make up tfeir minds to pnt
up with. His rivals have all something positively
parties, in power nearly balanced, whose efforts
must decide the contest. Their veal ness makes
his strength. Strongly supported. they are also
strongly opposed. The moderate men of both sides
will vote Tor Taylor, as toierabe 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 enhancement 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 cooly counted against
the gains, and Jonathan not eated at the
balance, though he puts a good face upon the
matter. Political turmoil in Europe Is also read
ing him lesson on the value OF apeaceable main
tenance OF things as they are. And the eleva-
the discussion of both the abolition and the
tariff questions, and that of Cass would, 1t is sup
posed, include some danger of a rupture with
Engand-al matters which the counting house
interest just now would fam leave nnstirred.
Taylor, whose FAINT whiggery is little ofens i've to
the democrats, while his Mexican reputation is.
with them, mark in his favor, Is little Pledged
TO any side of any great question, that all may
hope tor some success. and none have much to
fear. II any are especially dissatisfied it Is those
whoregard, as the proper end of universal suffrage,
the unchecked triumph of democracv-who see
the perfection OF government In the despotlsm OF
an ear led mob Against these the federal constl-
tuition has but one defence-a rampant OF money
bags-the conservation that comes of the peaceful
OF the changes, effected within single gene
ration, by the steady and rand 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
sustained by tariffs, will not so flourish lon the
soil OF the United States as to keep pace In their
growth with the forms of industry better adapted
to 1t Even if maintained against their natural
tendency to decline, they must, as national
interest, eventually cease to be important; and
with this Oh ange must come a corresponding
question may be more difficult to settle; but even
that draws towards a settlement under the same
influences, If only by force of that provisional the
teceral constitution by which the structure OF the
House OF Representatives is remOdeled, every ten
years, unoh the basis OF each new census. For IN
stance of the PIG representatives and three delegates
which formed the house, as elected upon the ar
rangement made after the census OF 1920 (gIving
one representative to every 49, 900 OF the popula-
ton, and five slaves counting three free per-
sons), the thirteen old States returned 1873, and the
fourteen new ones, including the unincorporated
territories of Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida,
the remaining fitty.eight. BY the act of Congress
of 1872 founded on the census of 1910, and giving
one representative to every, 7o6so of the popula-
ton, the 158 members tor the old States was re-
duced to 1872, while the So for the new States was
raised to 95-giving new total OF 22S. This pro-
obviously strikes directly ar the influence OF
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
l2f, 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 a feeble bar
rier to the progress OF the free.trade and anti
slavery movements (hitherto in antagonism In
America) thus urged on by the same means.
From the London News, Oct 1871
An important step has been taken towards the
solution of the Residential question, which Is now
the a-absorbing topic with American politicians:
Shortly after the party nominations IN May and
apparent both in the wing and democratic ranks,
and led length, in either case, to open dsaiec-
ton and DIVISION. A respectable minority of the
wing party were extremely dissatisfied, at their
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 prediction tor slavery. Sc
cesslon took place in both cases, but that amongst
the democrats was most serious, a strong abolition
party declaring that it would vote for Van Buren,.
This rendered the success of General Cass exceed
ingly doubtful, although, for a time, his chances
were improved by the attitude Of his opponent,
l.. Il In i H. orf
questions, which, for time, perplexed his friends,
and compromised his position as candidate
General Taylor totally Inexperienced the feel
ing which prompted his nomination. Had ttaken
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 on more important theatre dimmed
10 some extent the ustre of his achievements
The democratic party then learnt to regard him
simply IN the light of wing candi date, and as
such, of course made up their minds to oppose
him. Since his nomination., therefore, he has
been purely party candidate, relying for success
on party vote. 1t was some time, however, ere
he perceived this cons entlng to stand but profess
sing his intention, if elected, OF beng no party
Piesden,-pl DECISIONS which might be patriotic.
but which, under the circumstances, were, to say
the least of them, lmpolltic. 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 it's differences. To
effect reconciliation in the wing ranks, 1t was
necessary that General Taylor should make the
first move. The friends of MIR. Clay would only
support him as an avowedy party. candidate: He
had, therefore presented TO hun the alternative OF
prudcntlyl chosen the latter and now appears be-
fore the electoral body in that distinctive party
character, which, had he rightly appreciated he
position, he would have assumed from the very
first Gen. Taylor having thus definitIvey given
in his adhesion to the party, the friends of Mr..
Clay no longer hold out against him. that eminent