The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-06
New YORK, Feb. 8, l848.

Candidates for the Presidency- Circumstances
,chich piH probably control the Selection and the
Election.
American politics would furnish a mighty
subject for the study and development OF great
historian and philosopher. He who thinks that
the division of parties is produced by the organ
ization whereby each struggles for triumph, or by
measures and aces which are SUCCESSFULLY at
tackled or defended, labors under an egregious
error. That organization, and those measures,
are the consequence, not the cause, OF parties
under democratic institutions.
In every form of government wherever the
people have secured to themselves a substantial
portion of the law-makng power, they divide
into two great parties, based under all upon like
principles, and with like tendencies, controlled,
no doubt, to some extent, by collateral circum-
stances. One may be designated the party Of
progress, of change-the other of stability or
conservaton-each has its good and Its evil.
Either continued long in power, unless under
the guidance OF wise and honest men, neceseari-
ly PRODUCES great mischief; they are antaxonietic
powers-the one, without restraint, would drive
the machinery of government with such speed
and violence as to break the gearlng-the other,
without extraneous impulse, would allow 1t to
rust and decay upon Its axis,
In the party OF progress Will generally be col.
who hope. by change rather than by labor, to
better their relative condition in life. In that
Of conservative, those who have acquired the
object of all. This division would be almost
universal, were il not that to a considerable ex-
tent education, habit, and association control
the natural tendencies; but, allowing for all
exceptions, 1t is extensive and permanent
Hence, those who are poor and are compelled to
labor, especially those of them who dislike la
bor-and how few do not?-will generally be
found in the party OF progress the party which
new enterprizes, new motives. The passions
are captivated, hopes are encourages, any and
all changes are locked upon az promising some.
thing better than hard and daily toll
Those hopes and promises are no doubt illu-
cory, and doomed to disappointment, for few,
very few Of the great mass, succeed; still they
60 before us, reckoning us forward, and we fol-
The ranks of progress are swollen by the
young; those just entering upon the field OF
worldly struggle, seeking for fortuhe-reluctant-
~ ey the sv so%s
new adventure in the affairs OF men, which Will
cast 1t upon them by single throw OF the dice
Again, those, and their name 10 legion, who
are dissatisfied, who are envious Of the condi-
ton of their more successful neighbors, who
look with longing eye upon the apparent com.
fort and enjoyment which surround them, swell
the throng-they call tor change, tor movement,
for progress, whereby their relative condlUOns
may be reversed. !, :.
Against these combinations, the conservative
influences would present feeble. resistance,
not ,S 2,
excited it. They are often the first to feel and
to suffer from their own follies Many become
alarmed, and to stop the progress OF the mischief
Tor period, throw themselves into the other
scale until the balance is notwithstanding
until the beam is fairly carried down on the
other side, and every thing is brought TO- dead
stand, Without pursuing this subject further,
and progress-must generally be in the
ascendancy. The question, however, arises
whether they have gone gone 80 50 is srLwhe 1.-THE.
SO improvidenty extended their field Of opera
t ons-a to alarm the most cautious and timid.
We think they have; but we ieel by NO means
sure of the result. The idea Of absorbing the
States, is a most taking sentiment II appeals
to the young with most dazzling effect. The love
ofvictory, the glory of war, the pride ofconquest,
stirs up the young blood; besides, they see the
ingots of pure gold and silver piled up, heaps upon
heaps, in her mountains, enough to make them
all rich as nabobs, and in Imagination they are
riding four in hand in splendid coaches. they
never stop to enquire how much hard wo k must
be performed before tho yellow boys can be ex
tracted from the ore. In fancy, the whole Is now
minted ready for circulation. -,
The political contest, in all probability, will
be carried on upon the single questionable whole
OF Mexico, or none! No party can be organized
upon the question of the anne Ration of part; it
partial annexation is made, 1t Will be brought
about by cooperation of the existing parties.
No new party can be formed upon this basis,
and hence the notion of creating third party
to support General Taylor, by taking the middle
course, is idle. Yet such seems to be the expec-
tation of those who have enlisted under his ban
ner in different parts of the United States With
this object inscribed upon his standard, with
this groundwork for a political movement, he
cannot rally corporals guard.
We sunnospd until within a short time back
that he might be selected as a candidate BY one
Of the great political parties Of the country.
That now seems impossible, and without 1t his
friends cannot begin to move.
The history OF General Jackson's advent to
the Presidency, must satisfy any reasonable
mind. 1t will be remembered that during
the administration OF President Monroe inc
strange spectacle was presented OF an ad.
minstration without party. The war
and subsequent peace with Great Britain had,
apparently, almost, In fact, amaIgdmated all
before he retired the division was again mani
tested, not with the strength and compactness
which had been exhibited before and have been
exhibited since. At this time, and under these
favorable circumstance General Jackson, the
hero of New Orleans, was presented as cnndi:
date for the Presidency, not by either political
lafty, but upon his own personal merit lie
JAILED, aud never reached the Presidential chair
until nominated by one Of the great political par
ties of the country. The same must be the fate
OF General Taylor.
The united and devoted adherence of the WING
par,y to Henry Clay, does not arise from personal
copslderations towards that distinguished states
man, but because he is truly the pcrsonification
o, the wing and conservative principle. His
election will be considered as giving evidence
that the majority of the people have become
alarmed at the progressive conduct and course Of
the democracy, and tor time, at least, desire
to halt, and try the effect OF conservative and
whig policy. There can scarcely be doubt of
his becoming the candidate, it he consents
Whether he will receive majority OF the votes
Is another question 1t is to be borne in mind, that
independent of the addition of tn naturalization
of immigrants, there is to be the immense add:
ton Arising from the young, who have, and shall
come to full age, in the lapse OF four years Upon
a reasonable calculation, the change IN the vote,
in the course Of four years, will be equal to one
fifth of the entire number cast at the last presi-
,tao,;..I .la,tton Tho addifion cousleta of the