The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-05
THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.
III SEQUEL TO TWO CHAPTERS IN THE HISTORY OF
AN ADMINISTRATION.

Tine Administration and Seward Journals.
lie SEQUEL TO TWO CHAPTERS IN THE HISTORY OF
AN ADMINISTRATION.
lFrom the Washington Kepu Bile, April 81
ntwo previous chapters We have reviewed the cir
cumstances under which the present national admin
istration came into power, and have presented
epitome Of the events which have since occurred We
propose TO take survey OF the ground as it now
hes about us, to consider very briefly the relations
OF the President TO the results which we witness,
and to throw out one or two suggestions in regard
to the position and duty Of the wing party.
To any one familiar with the tone and temper Of
the Southern States, as manifested in the resolu-
tions Of their Legislatures, conventions, and popu
lar assemblies, and the language of their journals
of both parties only tweyemonth since, it is not
necessary TO say that there was at that time mmi-
nent peril of a revolutionary movement. We may
cali it secession, rebellion, or what We may, but
that plans and ombnatiOns rapidly maturing,
which contemplated an eventual dissolution of the
American Union, is rs certain as any event re-
corded in history. To what extent they might
have succeeded if they had been pressed to i'm
mediate or early issue, is question now merely Of
idle speculation but, Us far the maintenance Of
friendly and fraternal sentiments is involved-and
these are the true cement, the iron links Of the
Union--the failure success of the movement
would have been comparatively unimportant. The
mere attempt would have been the great calamity;
the defeat would have been as disastrous ultimately
Us the triumph Of such a cause.
Clear to our mind as is the fact that the condi-
ton Of things existed to which have referred, it
is equally clear that u very different feeling now
pre- walls in all the slayeholding States feeling Of
tranquility, security, and the old traditional at
tnchment to the Union, which General Jackson in
,oked with such overwhelming effect in the days Of
ratification
Now turn your eyes to the North No one can In We
forgotten the but recent Of parties in the
thern States, in regard to the aboltonists. Both par
ties had feared and coured them to that extent chat
they were regarded rs the third power. that was to
decide the re suits Of eleciona and shape the policy
IF BOT narfips s0uUht n n 4
to abolition ground as they could venture to go,
without the certainty OF creating breach OF the
ties which bound Thorn to their Southern allies. A
diseased and feverish disposition manifested to
NEEDLE unnecessarily with topics left by the consti-
tuition to the respective States All the nonslave-
holding States, except Iowa. had passed resolutions
in favor Of the Wilmot Proyiso. Since the passage
Of the Consf-pmisc S.ehaf Of those States have re-
pealed those resolutions, either directly, or by the
adoption oflegisatiye conventional action inoon-
| slstept with them Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
| New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Penn
sylyana, and Come are now all in favor OF the
Compromise; and in the other Northern States the
politicians OF both parties pretty well convinced
that there is more to be lost than gained by the
| agitation OF the negro question. The sentiment IS
everywhere gaining ground that not only are they
dsunonists, who cry aloud for secession and dissou
tion but those also who, protesting to be the friends
Of the Union, are circulating opinions, stimulating
prejudlces, and encouraging animosities, the ten
dency of which is to create an alarm, excitement
and hostility, in the Southern mind, that must ult
mately lead TO revolution.
Such is the present public opinion and popular
feeling at the North and South, in most fortunate
coptr us to that which prevailed nj the time Of Mr..
Flmore's accession to the Presidency. When dis
contents prevail, when popular complaints loud
and urgent We are ready to attribute the condition
of things which causes them to the Encouragement
or bad policy Of administration. To what, then,
We to refer the general content and tranquility
the feeling Of security and safety which now pre-
walls throughout the country-eXcept to the wisdom,
the patriotism the liberal and national spirit which
have thus far governed the course Of Mr. Fillmores
administration. How often have we seen chief
magistrate-the President Of the people, and still
the head OF a great party-who by his prudence,
moderation, and hrmness, has not only disarmed
the ceEsule of his political adversaries, but has
soothed the rage of sectional strife, and held the
balance with even hand between the factions
that frequently divide and enceble the friends Of
an administration.
This work Of Cancellation and compromise has
been effected, moreover, without disorg anizing or
disentegratng the whig party. II has merely with
drawn the negro question from the arena Of State
discussion, and left the whigs, as well democrats,
at liberty to resume their national connections.
Here and there we find individual politicians and
public journals disposed to resume revive the
suspended agitation, hoping to evolve from It some
element Of party strength; but they are merely fol-
lowing out certain peculiarties Of temper or Of
udgme MT in which they find little sympathy beyond
the imms date circle OF the abolionists. Tn this
question, on all others, the masses Of the whig
their choice They look for whig direction, not to
the local lights aud beaconS. but to the great
tional statesmen who have acquired wisdom by the
longest experience, and confidence by the most
faithful and patriotic services. They believe that
when they find the President on the same platform
with their oldest and most illusrious leaders with
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, they yield
generous and hearty support, when as wings they
are called upon TO rally about and sustain his adj
ministration.
In this aspect Of political affairs, in our humble
judgment, there is nothing for the wings TO do with
regard to the future, but to keep together and har
monte their energies, with view to national
convention Of the whig party. II is possible that
the premature discussion Of the Presidential ques
tion, and the premature nomination OF Presidential
candidates may so far embarrass and distract the
party n to prevent them from acting together eff
GENTLY in such convention. The selfish and
generous motives which induce these early move
m,nts for individuals well understood by
the country and the movements themselves
are calculated to injure, II not destroy, the pro-
poets interests they seem intended TO pros
mote. Nothing could be more fatal TO any can
didate than nominations or recon nendations which
should assume The appearance Of a sectional ex-
preston; and this ought to be perfectly well under
stood by the men who are seeking, BY ill-timed de-
monstratons to identify themselves with promising
candidate, to manifest their iwill towards other
prominent wings, who may seem likely to become
competitors for the whig nomination. But no ono
go wrong who il ready and willing to leave the
whole question opcn-uncmbarrassed by commitals
-unintuenced by chques or factions-that II may
be submitted for the just and tranquil action Of
convention, coming together from oil sections look
ing " to the Of tbs whole party, and the
interests Of the entire country, and prepared to
respond cordially TO any nomination that shall COM
meId itself to the judgment of a majority Of the
wings n expressed BY the selected organs Of their
opinion and will IL all true wings will pursue the
policy We have here indicated, one good result al
least will be sure to follow; that wing candidate
will be sacrhced TO the ambition or impotence Of
men who assume 70 be his friends.
TTu PRESIDENCY
IRON the Boston Atlas. March a.
The Washington Rsypb,c. about week ago,
published article in regard 10 the cxpepicncy u
agitatug the question Of who shall be the ne 1t
didstc q the wings Tor the Presidency, with the
tone and spirit Of which we fully agree.
". not disposed, for one, to commit ourselves
fully 10 the support 81 any person for that high
Office at the present time, though we have our pre-
fcrcncss, and strong ones, too, and shall not hest