The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-28


Several elections for United States Senators
have recsntly taken place In the Western States
In Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The
election in Michigan resulted in the choice of
Gen. Cass but 1t was not effected without con-
siderable struggle among the new and old party
elements of that State. General Cass's election
to the United States Senate may be considered
more IN the light of q compliment than as an in
dlcation of any ctr, ng purpose In the Legislature
of that State, to endorse the opinions and political
views with which he has been identified. The
elections in Ohio and other Western States are
however, strong points from which to deduce I'M
portant conclusions relative to the course of par
ties hereafter. In fact, they are significant in the
sentiment that has heretofore prevailed among
parties in the free States, either in the East or
West.
Messrs. Breese, Hannegan and Allen, all OF
whom are members Of the present United States
Senate, have lost their reelection, more on &C.
count of the position which they maintained in
reference to the slavery question than from any
local or general cause. They were considered
by the democrats, as belonging to that class desg-
mated old hunkers-a class of politicians who
have heretofore maintained an opposition to the
conciliate the politicians of the South, in connec-
ton with the party In power In this respect, the
two great parties of the day seem to be changing
ground, and taking position in opposition to that
which they heretofore held. The wing party, for
the first time, with some slight exceptions, in
FIFTY years, assume the responsibility of conduct
ing the national government under the Presiden-
cy of General Taylor. In all that time they have
been opposed to the extension of slavery and at the
same time went 80 far, particular States and dis
tncts, as to bear considerably IN favor of aboli-
ton In the abstract The introduction of the Will
mot proviso into the ranks OF the democrats, has
made wonderful revolution among them. and II
Is probable that the democrats Of the North. now
out Of power, will reunte all the Fragments of mar
ties In one general movement hostile to the ex-
tension Of slavery In any direction whatever This
question has certainly been the cause OF the de-
feat OF Messrs. Allen, Hannegan and Breese, who
were formerly leading democratic Senators. Hun
kerism in the democratic party in the free States
may be considered as nearly at close. Hereafter
we have no doubt the party wIrreunlte under the
cry Of free democracy, as understood by the Will
mot proviso and Its afiinitles.
Thus we go In the natural process of revolution.
The wing party will have much to contend with in
the management OF its sentiments among its sup
porters at the North Ii has to conduct al popular
government, and must, therefore, combine Its
strength, both at the South and No tn. The de-
mocrats are new thrown into the opposition. la
this State they will become the agitators-the u-
tras and there il every reason TO believe that the
ree SOIL party, as is called, will hereafter attract
10 Itself all thetremaIniDg fragments OF hhe demo-
cracy, Of every shade and form, and concentrate
themAin one strong and powerful party for future
action Inc revolution which the Wilmot proviso
commenced among the democrats. 10 still going
on, and probably will not cease until the whole is
leavened with the same feelings on the subject OF
the extension Of slavery.