The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-15
PRESIDENTIAL SPECULATION.

Il were presumption to attempt to predict at
this time the condition of Parties in eighteen
hundred and ifty-two; but it is not probable that
the Presidential contest will be confined to two
or even three political organizations.
The Washington Union is intent on preserving
the unity of the old Democratic Party, and de-
clines to see or report any movements in the
Northern section Of it, calculated to ALLEVIATE
S~~.'Sxp feelings. The Southern Press aiming
at q general disorganization OF ahParties, with
view to the formation of strong Southern organ
tzstion In which the venerable distipelpDf OF
Wlig and Democrat may be forever buried, indus
triously chronicles whatever ant-slavery demon
STATIONS are made by Northern Wings and De-
mocrats so as to show the South that slavery
can expect no quarter from any class Of poll
ticians at the North.
It cannot be denied that in some of the Free
States there are indications of reunion ofthe jar
ring elements of Democracy, under the plastic in
Huence of Hunkerism, but nothing has yet occurred
to warrant the belief that the Party in all the
Free States can be brought to act unitedly in the
Presidential campaign of 1852 Even in Indiana,
Pennsylvania, and Michigan, where Hunkerism
is in the ascendency, there are signs of disaffec-
ton manifest materials of discord which need
but an occasion to produce general rupture
The State organ Of the Democrats in Indiana,
has become an echo of the Washington Union,
but other journals Of the Party maintain an in
dependent tone, and are indisposed to follow its
lead. The Democratic leaders in Pennsylvania
have mustered strength enough in their State
Convention to revoke all that the Democracy of
that State has hitherto said against slavery, but
Wilmots District still remains sound, and we
venture the prediction that the next election will
show that the back-track policy is q disastrous
one Michigan has been placed in false posi-
ton. The minority that relieved General Cass
from his instructions misrepresented, we are as
sured, the Democratic sentiment Of the State
In other Suites the struggle between the Lib
eral and Conservative Democrats is going on
with varying results. The policy of the latter
is to put down wilmot p-e-i@nisn'- tn oil
agitation concerning slavery, and to bowstring
every active opponent OF Slavery Extension
Hence, theirunrelenting prescription of the hon
orable Hannibal Hamlin On avowed, efficient ad-
yocate of the Wimot Proviso. For the sake Of
defeating his reelection to the Senate Of the
United States, they were willing to postpone an
election and take the chance Of a Wing triumph,
and, finally, when forced to q trial. they threw
their votes to the last against him, that his
turn TO the Senate was made to depend upon Free
Soil votes. In the House, the whole number of
votes was $50, necessary to choice, 76. Mr..
Hamlin received rs; Mr. Evans, (whigJ 46; Mr.
Anderson, conservative, Compromise Demo
crat) 81; Scattering, g. All the Free Soil mem
bers but one voted for Hamlin In the Senate
the whole number of votes was 90 necessary to
choice IS. Mr.. Hamlin received l6 Mr. Evans,
7; Mr. Anderson, 6; Mr.. TerredeD, l blank
/. All the Free-Soilers but one voted for Ham
lin
This election Of Mr.. Hamlin, the refusal Of the
Legislature to repeal its ant-slavery instructions
for the accommodation of Mr.. Bradbury, and
the new and stringent resolves in favor Of the
Jeffersonan policy of Slavery Restriction, attest
the predominance of Liberal Democracy in the
State of Maine and furnish sufficient ground
for the prediction that no Hunker candidate for
the Presidency in 1852 can call out the Demo-
cratic strength of that State
In Connecticut, the Conservatives claimed
majority in the Legislature, but the signal failure
Of their attempt to elect one of their own num-
Der, United States Senator, and the passage of
Wilmot Proyiso Resolves by the House of Rep
resentatiyes exposed their weakness, and over
whemed them with modification.
The Democracy of Massachusetts, will never
dare try a campaign under Pro-Slavery leaders.
What its real indications are may be inferred
from the large support given TO John G. Pal
frey, at the last election in his district, by
Democratic voters, in the face of the remon-
strances of the Washington Union, and its SYM
pathetic co-lsborer, the Boston Post
In Vermont, the union of the Democrats and
Free-Soilers is maintained, despite the protests
of few disaffected Conservatives; and in the
Legislatures of Maine, New Hampshire, and
Connecticut, States controlled by what is called |
the Old Line Democracy, resolves against Com
promise and in favor of the Anti-Slavery policy |
of the Ordinance of 1887, have been lately passed
by one or both branches.
The State Democratic Convention Of Ohio, held
on the 4th of July last, resolved in favor Of the
immediate and unconditional admission Of Cab
forna as State; and not journal Of any /6te
belonging to the party in that State, 80 FIR as
we know has given any countenance to the Com
promise scheme. Some Of the "Old Hunker"
papers, as they are styled, censuring the con-
duct OF General Cas-, and praising that of Mr.
Benton.
@Our confidence says the LOram (Ohio)
argus, the organ Of the Old Line Democracy Of
Lorain county " in Northern statesmen has been
shaken General Cass and Daniel Webster have
not been the men for the occasion. The old wire
worker, Henry Clay, has adroitly chained them
10 his car, and blinded them to the interests of
heir constituents.
aThey are weighed in the balance, and found
Tantingl Ii now devolves on the masses to ter
innate this contest, and allow California free
md. mandate admission into the Union Let
hem sneak out In terms too definite to be misun-
Ierstood. and tell these unfaithful servants TO
ollow the instructions Of their constituents or
esign.
"There will be quaking among the skulking
oughfaces, when the thunders OF an outraged
onstituency break upon their ears"
The same paper says Of Benton
While Northern men COVER before the organ
cd forces Of Slavery, Benton stands hrm In the
reach, and repels every onset His great speech
7 Juns 10th is perfect avalanche upon the
Committee. We shall next week
ublish as much Of this valuable document a. we