The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-06
The Election and Administration of Gener al
Pierce,

With the election of General Pierce the work OF
the mere electioneerer ended. The work Of the
Statesman now begins. Does General Pierce realize
the responsibility Of his position Has he the
nerve and statesm anship for the crisis Time must
answer these questions and whilst speculate upon
the probable future which lies before US we must
await the denouimeut Of his administrative career
to form just estimate off probable progress and
end.
In entering upon his administration, General
Pierce cannot reflect too deeply and thoroughly
npon the elements which have conspired to carry
him into the Presidential chair His first step will
be his most important one. IL should see to it
that it is not hastily taken, to be repented Of when
TOO late to retrieve the error The overwhelming
majority by which he is elected gives him an OPP
portunity of acting independently. Though he may
not be able TO retain for his party the en.irs
strength which has contributed to his own success
yet he can, by the exercise Of prudent fore
sight, put the Organization OF the democratic
party upon q firm and tolid basis, which
will endure far beyond his term Of service IF
he had been elected by small vote, there might be
sone justification for the usual policy Of seeking to
eoncilate discordant elements which have no other
affinity than is found in a sympathetic desire for
Office and spoils. Not so, however, with General
Pierce. He is strong enough to do right, and will
need no other support for his administration than
that which it will command by It's vrtuous vndi,a-
ton of the great national principles which have
been so triumphantly endorsed by the people in his
election.
General Pierce owes his election to the patriotic
national spirit Of people. II Is idle TO attribute
the signal defeat of General Scot. to any other
&c he A
pie to rebuke the fanatical and sectional feeling
which procured his nomination, and which sought
in his election an endorsement at the hands Of the
people. If General Scott had been brought forward
under other auspices than those of Seward Greeley,
Co the result would have been entirely different:
he would in all probability have lost his election
but not by that overwhelming vote which has been
east against him. The organization Of the two
parties for the contest through which we have just
passed. was the very Of each other whilst in
each were found portion Of the sectional feeling
which has 80 wantonly warred upon the integrity Of
the constitution and Union. Yet its influence and
position we're entirely different in the two parties
With the wings II predomipated aud controlled
WIN. II Seward the master spirit Of the whig
organization; he gave tone and sentiment to It's
policy, dictated its nomination, marshalled its
forces and led it on 10 defeat and disaster
The national spirit of the wing party sought to rally
around either Fillmore or Webs.er The effort was
unavAling, and ii was dragged into the support of
Scott, rebuked and dishearsened
With the democratic party it was otherwise
is organization put upon national principles
its policy and its nominations were dictated by
national men-the sectional spirit which had dis.
turoed i harmony and threatened its integrity was
held subordinate TO Its nationality The batteries
- Northr-n fara'ieisy md Southern rec,onalism
wsre slenced at Baltimore. The m r.o ,,., man.