The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-30
The Political Future OF France and or the
United States.


United States.
At the present time, the two most important re-
publics Of the world-France and the United States
offer points Of political character which have
much similarity. France is engaged in an agita-
tion about the revision of her republican contitu-
tion with direct reference to the question of her
next President. The United States hare a 81 nilar
struggle going on. The question that is prelimi-
nary to the one connected with our next President
is with respect to virtual revision of the cons.itu-
ton, the compromise compact of 1851, and its
iteration in the Fugitive Slave bill of the last ses-
sion Of Congress In France. at least five parties
distinctly organized in the struggle to bend the
future into shape suited to the wishes OF each fac
iion. There are the Orleanists, the Bourbons the
Imperialists and the two bodies Of moderate aud of
red republicans. Each party is striving to master
Abe rest, and coalitions and consultations are pro-
posed that the weak parties may be made weaker
and be oyelthrown. Precisely such is the character
Of parties in this coun,ry--of which, at the North,
we number five; and. at the South, two more
We have the bunker democrats the bunker wings,
the free soil democrats the free soil wings, aud the
aboltionists proper and improper, all in a lump, in
the free States. In the Southern States are the
secessiOnists and the Unionists-thus completing
Now, in the elements Of all these contending fac
tions, both in France and in the United States are
the sources Of vast amount of exaggeration and
confusonthe inevitable result Of the action Of the
many without any unity. The EugHsh Journals
affect to have serious apprehensons Of the future Of
France because there are so many factions in the
contest II is strange that their grave anticipatOas
are not excited by our own condition; for we are
threatened with dis olution of the Union, and all
the horrors of civil war, much are the
French PEOPLE. The truth, however, is, that ali
the political excitement in beth republics is but the
exhibition Of the natural raw material from which
elective government: obtain their chief magistrate
The party Of thu maj Gritty is the peace party-thc
conservative party, which, In the hour Of danger.
will be true to the instincts Of liberty, defined by
the constitution, and will run the boundaries
by which the future is to be circumscribed.
There is little danger that the ecryescence of all
the eommingling political elements will cause any
thing like a serious ex plosion. There may be much
froth, foam, bubbling and Kissing; but the whole
mass will settle down into a natural and wholesome
state at last. Let the hour for the Presidential
slcctions be passed. and safety, security aud peace
will prevail not only in this country, but in Fr lncc;
and the agitation will only be renewed when the
Presidential succession again up fof discus
non.
II Is not singular that there hould always be, in
n great republic so much excitcm snt and turbu-
lcncc in political circles the Of Presidential
election. The question is not about a man only
il about patronage and political emoumcnt, place,
and power for the benefit u thousands and teus Of
thousands o. partisans-and though !; may Be
Necessary for many reasons select for the highest
honors of tho republic man with historical
name yet this fact involves virtually principle.
A bright exterior i an addition 70 other qualities,
and il always in demand Hence We have in France,
NAPOLEON descendant Of thc grca. hero Of modern
warfare In Europe; ana, in this country, General
Scott-cousidcrcd BY many tho Julius Cc'ar q the
lase Mexican war-put forward a. cand dates for
the Presidency. IN thcmselycs, they amount 70
little or nothing They arc the possible symbols
Of authority offered Tor the suiragcs 81 the nation,
who may. or may not, agree % set them up A.
;dcls in which are supposed T. he om5odicd The
prinoitles Of liberty, equality, and law. The pa
tronagc to be distributed constitutes the chief
cause Of the struggle; and the struggle itself Is the
cause Of bringing together al the mos; iaaammt-
tory topics by which sectional joalousie'. the
bition Of districts. aud individual opinions, can be
converted into means fer making out majority;
on the concentrated force 81 the governing prn-
ciplc This Is tho philosophy Of All the political
disturbances ii France and IN the United Statss
add IL these two republics maintain, by prudence
and sisdom. and By the unity q the people, their
eminent positions ~ elective governments, the
military and kingly powers Of tho earth may we'll
trembls for the fearful examples # two na.i'u'
who take, every two Or three years, the governing
power nto their own hands, and distribute i a.
hut as tn