The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-14


Elections In France and In the United States.
The governments both of France and Of the
United States are republican. They have some
general features in which they resemble each other
and though they differ very widely in respects,
yet il not difficult to perceive that the political
elements, on which the active government Of
France rests are similar to those existing in the
United States.
In our own country, we have at the South a
warm, chivalrous, and excitable population, zeal
in the defence Of their hereditary institution Of
slavery; at the North, have a cool, calculating
class ofpersons, who led from their usual pro-
priety by religious fanaticism, and whe oppose the
South and its interests. Something Of the same
character may be seen in the South and in the
North Of France. The Northern parts Of Franc,
produce a practical, mathematical and business
people, from whom spring the rulers Of the nation
who are much like American state men who have
been born or educated in New England and the
North From the South Of France a more imagi.
native class Of men arises, who are devoted to the
discussion Of splendid principles which spring spon-
taneousy from original emotions, uncontrolled by
cold and formal platforms and theories. France
has one Assembly and President of the republic,
concentrating all the sovereign and local power Of
the nation. This country has President, and
Senate and House Of Representatives, deriving
their position directly from the people Each State
Of the thirty-one composing the great confede-
raey, in it, independent sovereign capacity,
still maintains check against the consolidation Of
power for oppressive purposes; and here il is that
the population o. the United States have a conser-
yatye power, which i the chief safeguard Of our
local republican Institutions which France does not
enjoy.
The elections both in France and in the United
states are conducted by the people, who have the
power to make their own President and their
Assembly. In France, the election for the head Of
that republic will take place mex, May; and in the
following November. the election for new Presi-
dent Of the United States will also take place.
These great political events in both countries,
and, under present appearances, have about equal
interest for the world, while both countries are
about equally concerned the results Of their
spective elections. The influences in both coun.
tries Of the political parties have u;h that is
similar, while the parties themselves are not dis
SIMILAR az they might seem at FIRST glance. We
have no Napoleon or monarchica party, but we
have something very like one in the friends Of
Mr. Fillmore Louis Napoleon is excluded by
the constitution Of France from serving a second
term, and the only difference Between him and Mr..
Fillmore is that the latter will be excluded by the
people. who never give mere Vice Presidents a
cond opportunity for directing the destinies Of the
country. Without counting Mr.. Fillmores adhc-
rents. we have four parties The FIRST and second
comrtis, the old wings and the Old dem ocrats, who
are more or less national. but broken up caved in,
Or roaming abeui in state of perturbation and pity
The third and fourth embrace the new anti-sayery
factions consolidated, and the new order Of seces-
zionist state rights men Of the Southern States.
In France there arc four parties, also. There IL.
first, the old monarchical or conservative party Of
the Bourbors, and then the new Conservative party
Of the Orleans family. The third party il com.
posed q the moderate republicans like Cavaignac.
and the fourth Of the ultra red and red hot re-
pubcans-the "fre eaters" Of France--the social
lists, par eroii,no.
such Il the division Of the elective power 10 the
two countries, and there il no evidence that any
reasonable calculation can be made on the com
pete success Of any one Of these parties in either
country, by direct vote. There will be scrub
race for the PRESIDENCY both in France and in the
United States. anil the National Assembly will
have to decide for the French republic in case
and the House Of Representatives al Washington,
in the other, who sha be the Presidents Of the two
countries respectively. still, the merits Of each
party arc urged, and there ], nsch irquiry about