The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-14


their name to detestaticn; whilst the democrats
obtained new lease Of power that lasted for n
quarter OF century. During the recent contest
with Mexico, the democrats, or the locofocos of
the present day, possessed the government, ORR
gInated the war, supported the war by their
votes IN Congress, and by their skill and ma
nagement, elsewhere. They have been opposed.
more or less, by the wings of the present day, as
they are called. The inception of the war pre-
scented small opposition. Gradually This OPP
position increased until all the political leaders
OF the wing party-Webster, Clay, Clayton, and
others-became identified with strong aud
powerful opposition to its conception, its con-
tinuance, its policy, its morality, and Its results
These are the historical facts of the revolu
tonary war, the war with England, and lastly,
of the Mexican war. Is there any reason to be-
lieve that human nature has been changed with
in the last centuryl or that the termination of a
glorious aad successful war, like that with
Mexico, even at the expense of hundred or q
hundred and thirty millions of dollars, will have
a different tendency from that of any previous
war or that human nature has been changed?
We doubt it very much; but yet we are not pre-
pared to pronounce definitive judgment. The
only rsdeeming trait In the character of the
wing party, and which may tend TO save them,
is that the younger portion of them nobly sus-
tanned this war, by pouring out their blood like
water in defence of their country, even in oppo-
sition TO the policy of their principal leaders.
We may go no farther than the families Of Mr.
Clay and MIR. Webster, the two leaders Of the
wing party, both of whom have lost sons In that
war; and example after example might be emu
merated of similar facts the subject. Mr..
Calhouns position and course have been unique;
yet, we have no doubt, patriotic and American In
the highest degree. Although he took no steps
to originate or bring on the war, he has been
one of the most important influences in bringing
1t to successful termination.
We doubt, therefore, whether this Mexican
war and its results will rebound either to the
disadvantage of MIR. Folks administration, or
those associated with him, as much as some
If the wings may believe neither do we
think that now, when the war is over, the
wing leaders will like very much to make
that q great issue in the Presidential cleo
ton, if they can help it. At all events, Mr..
Polk, aud the administration, including Mr.. Bu-
chanan, Mr.. Marcy, and Mr. Walker, may claim
some credit, mingled OF course with errors, for
the manner in which the war has been waged,
and the position in which they find themselves
at It's termination. We have no doubt that the
subject itself will form one OF the most important
issues in the approaching Presidential election,
and that the result of the discussions will be
much the same as has been developed in other
ages of the world, and in those portions of Anne
rlcan history to which we have referred.
As the matter now stands, we therefore think
that the present administration and the demo-
cratic party have the vantage ground, if they
know how to use it. But do they know!
Riots IN CONGRESS AND ELsEwAERx.-We are
not disposed to be too severe with frail mortali-
ty-we know the weakness of human nature, and
are more disposed to pity than to censure-to.for-
give than to punish. But while we would foster
this clemency and approve and encourage it in
individuals towards individuals, if carried into
the laws it becomes a weakness, and the laws
themselves become a mockery and laughing
stock. Perhaps one cause why our Legislative
halls and our large cities are so often disgraced
by scenes of riot, tumut and disorder, is the fact
that men suffer their own private teelings-their
pity, their sympathy and their kindness--to pre-
operative, and virtually to nullify it. 1.-THE laws
are made to vaccillate and vibrate as mems feel
ings vaccIllate and vibrate, we are reduced to a
pitlabe condition indeed; for it may then be said
we have no laws.
We have, IN common with every well regu
lated mind in the community, noticed with
sorrow and regret the accounts lately contained
in all the journals, of the disgraceful scene on
the floor Of Congress, and also of the disgrace
f,,l Erht sc D,l,
laat. We cannot distinguish between the two,
except it be to condemn the first, more even than
the latter case. If we regret the occurrence of
such scenes in Congress, much more ought we
TO regret that private feelings of individual kind
ness and sympathy have been permitted to pre-
vail over Justice and to silence, extinguieh, and
annihilate the law in this matter and on this
occasion. We may now expect a constant sue
cession of such scenes, through such laxity
Now that the established law in Congress is
that men may fight in the very midst of
business, and apologize, and there is an end of
1t, we may expect men to fight and apologize,
and disgrace themselves and the country. We
do not mean to dispute the fact Of the personal
amlabllty and responsibility of the two gentle
men concerned; but we mean TO say, bad pre-
cedent has been set for the future. They ought
10 have been expelled the House as an example,
and to prove that there Is law and order in the
House Of Representatives. AS we read the ac-
count on its reaching our office, we felt much
surprised that the Speaker, as presiding Judge,
ruler, and dictator in that assembly, (for he
possesses absolute power,) had not at the instant
ordered the two into custody.
We hope no more such scenes may occur; but
we fear it, with too much reason, for where
there is no law, there can be no order.
RE-orENINe OF THE OPERA-We certainl
ehowed some prudence and moderation the
other day, in determining to wait and see the
result, before we pronounced decided opinion