The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-03
The Dissolution OF Parties I'm the United
states.


The Dissolution OF Parties I'm the United
states.
The recent elections of United States Senators
by the Legislatures of Missouri, Delaware, Mas
sachusets, and Rhode Island, and the complexion
of affairs in the Legislatures which are about to
elect Senators, particularly Ohio, New Jersey and
New York, we look upon as so many premonitory
symptoms of the breaking up of the old national
parties, so long existing under the names of demo-
cratic and WING. Various causes combine to hast
en- this state Of things among others, the settle
nent Of the old party issues, and the new divi-
sions, north and south, east and west, growing out
of the questions of slavery and the union of the
States The free soil question has cause the cleo
ton of a wing from the democratic State Of Mis-
SOUR, democrat from whg Massachusetts,, and
has had its influence on the election of members
Of the Legislature in New York, Ohio, and New
Jersey, which will probably have the effect Of
changing the character of the representation in the
United States Senate from each Of these States.
Delaware and Rhode Island, which have SO long
been represented by wings In the Senate, have
now each chosen 4 democratic Senator, but the
result in both cases was effected by local cluses,
or dssentisns in the wing ranks in those States
We can perceive no causes now existence
which are likely TO continue much longer the or
ganization of the old national parties OF wing and
democrats, and the contests between them at Ma
nonal, State and minor elections. There are no
grea, questions OF public poliiy now in agit alton,
in PROCESS, Of sufficient strength TO enable lead
ing politicians 10 kesp the people divided into the
two great parties, as at present organized and
known by their respective names. The old party
machinery is evidently worn cut, and growing
into disfavor with the people; il must, like broken
crockery, be soon thrown aside. Office holders
and Office seekers will doubtless struggle to keep
up party names and party organization for their
own selfish purposes; and the prestige Of the name
of democracy may enable party leaders to perpeiu-
ate the organization Of the democratic party; as il
Is probable that in republic like ours that portion
OF the people holding the most radical views and
notions will cling to that popular designation. But
there lie no prospect, we repeat of the contnu ance
of the old party organizations, nor can they be
perpetusted BY the revival Of questions Of currency
Internal improvement, the tariff, or annexation OF
new territory 10 the United States.
Let US look at the present state Of parties, and
zee how rapidly the whig party lie going to decay,
Notwithstanding its possess on for brief period of
the executive power Of he Union. The MAJOR.
OF party III uoAn houScs VI INC
present Congress- will be largely increased, by the
recent elections, in the next Senate and House Of
Representatives., notwithstanding there is no ques-
zion except that Of a more protective tariff.
which will probably divide members on cd party
grounds OF the Governors Of the thirty-one
States, only seven are wings, VIZ the execu-
lives OF Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Penn
~ lvanls, Texas, and Flo ida, and the acting Co
vernon Of Kentucky. The remaining twenty. four
Governors Of the 5 aes are d,mocrats, and this
dsproporion, II s more than probable, will be still
greater long as present party organizations are
continued. The Legislatures Of Ave or six Of the
States have nominal wing majority, while the
others either democratic, the free sellers hold
the balance q power between the old parties.
10 this forlom state Of thisgs how, we ask, can
the wings continue their present organization in
the diferen, States, with any hope Of success, or
any prospect Of advantage The democratic party,
however, has lie own share Of troubles, and is dis
nacted at the Norhsby free soil ant, slavery agi
iatiou, and at the south by the question Of DIS
nnion or others Of local interest II Is evident,
Notwithstanding that il retains, as a party, much
more positive strength than that Of the wings,
which will insure ID nominal Triumph until aew
parties arc formed, new Issues raised. and new or
CARNATIONS take place.
The wing party has now been in existence
abeui eighteen years, having been organized soon
after the second election Of General Jack son, ia
1882 The supporters Of that President claimed
and assumed the name Of democrats, and his oPPo-
nents at first called themselves national republ-
cans: but when Joined BY seceders from the adj
mnistration ranks in 1888 and 1884, they took the
name OF wings Thus the Two great national
parties which divided the country at the ac-
cession Of Van Buren, 10 tins presidency, In
lss7, we're respectively known by their pre-
cent names a democrats and wings. With the
latter several minor parties OF more limited extent,
or local IN character. generally acted and the
greater portion q these parties gradually became
amalgamsied with, and formed part Of the wing
party Such we're The snti-masons Of the Middle
and Eastern States the state rights men OF the
South, who disaqprpysd q some Of the acts of
General Jackson, ard those supporters Of Jack.
son ~ Tennessee, Georga, AMI other states. who
were opposed % Van Buren, a. his successor
Comparing the wing party and Tie term Of rs
existence, with that Of the old federal party, We
find that the latter commenced he career coon
after the adoption OF the constitution in l7sO AMI
continued to act a. a distinct party until the acces-
sion Of Monroe TO the Presidency ia 1917, a period
Of about twenty-eight years; twelve Of which
years, under Washington and John Adams, il was
No. POWER Thrown into the minority on the acces