The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-01
The Causes OF ahe frequent Defeat OF inc
Whfs Party, aud the H-norai Ascen"eney
sfths south TN tho National Councils.

srths ssuth in tho National Councils.
LISA singular fact, that since the time the
defeat Of the old John Adams, or federal party, by
the Jeffersonans, there has been odt one genuine
whig administration That was during the term Of
John Quincy Adams, from l52i to 1928 1t is au-
other equally singular fact. that the North has
never furnished bat four Presidents out OF thirteen
and neither Of them have been elected 10 a second
term; while, with two or three exceptions, the
Southern Pfesdt have held their office for
eightyears. John Adams, J ohn Quincy A Jams, aud
Martin Van Buren, are the only Northern men who
lave been elected to,he Office Of the chefmagsirs-
cy OF the republican, Fillmore owing his immedi-
ale elevation to the death o. hi; predecessor There
must be some way Of accounting for the fact that
the democratic party and the South have held so
controlling sway over The affairs OF the nation
and the explanation seems 10 u exceedingly PLAIN
and simple
As far as the prrponde-ance of Southern intiu.
epce has pr.ysilto IN our national affairs, it can be
easily accou lted for by the fact that in the South
eru States, polincs have, from the beginning,
been made an art, which has been thoroughly stu
died and reduced in practice to the precision OF a
science. In the Southern States, the number of
men who miDge in public affairs and guide public
opinion, is comparatively small. For the most
part, none but OF talent, leisure, and fortune
embark in the political game. From youth they
are accustomed to habits of public speaking, an I
they acquire a degree OF fluency, eloquence, an |
power seldom attained, except by long practice !;
and in their case, their progress il very much aided
by the warmth and enthusiasm which belong to
the southern climate, which inparts to their public
addresses tone of greater earnestness and deepef
effect. With few exceptions, the most powerful
and persuasive appeals that were made in the
Continental Congress, and. a: the period of the
adoption Of the federal constitution in lIS9, cam
from Southern men. We are not unmindful Of the
magical effect produced by the speeches of John
nAd Samuel Adams, Fisher Ames, and other dis
linsuisked New Englan ders but little doubt exists
that the controlling influence which eloQuence put
forth during that stormy period, came from such
men as Patrick Henry. There was at the time,
and there ever has been since, a FIRE about South
crn eloquence, which tended more profoundly TO
stir the feelings and agtate the popular heart than
We can trace in any of those quiet, philosophical
appeals that came from the cold Gale ulating genius
of Northern statesmen.
AS rule, which admits OF few exceptions, we
find, in tracing the progress of men as well as of
nations, tina: the most powerful Influences ever yet
put forth upon the world have come from the spi-
hit Of enthusiasm. In public well as in private
life il holds good that the bold, fearless, enthus
astic is the man Of power he is feared,
couried, believed, followed. While rival Of great
er philosophical acumen, deeper penetration or re-
search, copvinces the judgment, the impetuosity
and ervor Of the enthusiastic nan reach the heart
and control the action. For this reason, we find
that individuals and nations who have fourished
in the warm ard glowing climates, have, during
the period Of their ascendency, swayed more de-
spotic aud irresistible power over the world than in
northern lattudes. Their sway, is true has been
generally more brief; bu; while il lasted il was
more controlling. Besides, 10 the case we are now
speaking Of, Southern politicians, being men or
greater leisure, devote their time almost exclusive
ly TO the study and the practice OF the art of states
nanship, 70 far as We may use that term while
speaking Of our national politics.
Al the North the case is far different. Not only
is the temperament Of the people, like the climate
colder and s;eader, bur their incessant activity in
scenes Of domestic life and economical industry
is all absorbing that il avery rare to find class
of men who abstract themselves entirely from the r
own aaIs, to devote thense lives exclusively to the
business of the public. As y general rule, they
adopt politics as transient business while South
ern men follow it as d permanent pursuit From
1he South we hnd almost the same set of repre-
sentltives, in both branches of Congress through.
out generation; while ut Ia. North almost every
election introduces a new elias, Of men. In the
great struggle for politics, power, can therefore
trace the same Analogy between them which can
generally be recognized between disciplined troops
and rsw volunteers. Theee considerations will ac-
count for the fact that the South has generally
held the political sway Of the nation in its hsnds.
To 10 The causes age equally clear why the de-
mecrauc parry have maj. 'sined the ascending
Throughout The nation, over the wings. From the
time Of Jefferson, the stigma Of aris,ocrauc con-
servatism and European sympathes has bsen
fastened upon the federal party, which, with some
notifications, has at las assumed the name OF
vhig In the time Of that fcrocious struggle which
finally ended In the election Of Jefferson 10 the
PRESIDENCY, IL IL well known that the odium was
east upon the Adams men of being the British or
anti.French party. The clarion OF the French
Revolu,ioo had sounded throughout the civilized
world, and in that period of general excitement
The rubc mind Of this country. like that Of Enrope,
was inhsmed by visions u trumrhan, democracy,
which have been to a great extent realized by the
achievements Of Napoleon, and the final downfsu,
IN many parts Of the world, 81 he ha1ghiy preten
sions Of ahsoutsm. }, ferson was keen-sighted
politician. lie felt the tendencies Of his age, and
foresaw the final result Of these agitations He
counsd popularity among the people by hai,ering
them into the belief that he was the only man
who could snally work out their IDEAL of de-
mco1acy; and be il said. 10 justice to his name,
that he died the most illusirious erPonen, Of the
span, OF the American revolution Of all his con-
temporaiirs. Up to the time Of John Quincy
Adams, the federal party found theIn.elve, unable
Go gain the ascendant, and consequently they
could not carry on, their measures and even
during his administration, just in proportion as
the President and his advisers were able TO give
effect to their measures, just ia tha, proportion did
they cover themselves with oiium. This will
.es,u,, e., n. 6r,f cleftinn nj Genar.l r.oi,.o.