The southern press., 1852-02-05
The Presidential question.

As the time approaches at which nominations
for the Presidency have usually been made, the
movements Of the different parties and parts Of
parties, have become more and more active, and
more and more complicated II has been sup
posed that the enormous annual expenditures at
which we have arrived, would constitute a cohe
sive power that would countervail the growing
sectional and factional tendencies of the times
But this is not at all certain. On the contrary
it may be found an element of still greater dis.
traction The expenditures are now fifty mil
lions per annum. On the policy now adopted
depends therefore the distribution of that sum-
not only for the present year, but of an equal
amount for four years more. The Presidential
question involves now, therefore, the division Of
two hundred and fifty millions And when was
it that sum Of such magnitude could be d.
vided without quarrel between the distribu-
tees? Mr.. VAN BUREN's Administration went
down under the operation of dividing thirty
nine millions.
Perhaps careful examination of history will
show that nothing is SO destructive of party or
political harmony, as the possession Of a large
amount of money or spoils. II is certain that
the clement of avarice is admitted to an extra.
ordinary share of power, in case where higher
principles are required more than ever If the
number of recipient, is increased, that Of ex
pectants is increased still more; and if many are
successful in securing a share, still greater
number of competitors is disappointed.
The system of the late LOUIS PHILIPPE was
founded on higher expenditure, greater Gen.
tralism, and more internal improvements, than
were ever known in France before 1t fell pros
trate in twenty-four hours. The throne of Sol
onion gave way under his successor, at period
of the highest income, and the greatest abund-
ance of gold and silver. The democracy OF
Athens was destroyed precisely at the period
when it commanded the largest quotas Of her
allies-and the temple of Delphos was sacked
at length when the temptations Of its gold be-
came too powerful for the sanetty of its God.
Even PrTT, the great founder of modern finance,
was driven from power by coalition, at the
very time his taxes were the highest, and his
patronage the greatest. A surplus of twelve
millions made the Mexican war
But when, in addition to the disturbing and
distracting influences of pethoric treasury, we
have those Of unusual and bitter divisions of a
sectional and social character, and of foreign
policy, it is obvious that the repulsive forces Of
political dsorganization have never been so pow
erful. We have also another characteristic o
Grafton have departed and are departing-and ar,
taking their leave of us in anxious solictude n
TO tie future. Mr.. CALHoUS died with an unut
iereds peech on portentous domestic difficulties
Mr.. Clay languishes with an unspoken speech
on the new and portentous aspect of our foreign
policy And well may he be alarmed. Inter
vention is a positive and powerful element nov
in our system. Itresults from the greatness Of
power. and when was people powerful withou
becomingproud and aggressive, and fond Of wa
and Of conquest! Who can expect that man
years in this active age will pass over when Oh
love Of conquest, the possession Of power, III
prevalence Of morbid and distempered sym
patty, and an overlooking treasury will not re
suit in war! And where now are the statesme
of authority and wisdom TO restrain these i'm
pulses or where is the progress in public vii
tue or private morality TO temper and regulat
the minds Of the people Do We Lot see tina
the greatest effort of political ingenuity now i
TO construct platforms and strings of words tina
will best evAde or obsure the principles OF part
les, and that in private life, the pursuit Of wealth
has become the universal, all. absorbing, and all
defying one!
We are on the eve Of great events--cyents SC
,trking, frequent, and strange that the telegraph
sndlocomoiive and press will be taxed and toll
ed TO give them uttcrance and transit.
Mississippi.
The New Ofleans p5ca,tfus Of the o iih inst