The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-29


other, win materially interfere with the contest
between The two candidates Of the whig and demo-
cratic parties, after they shall have been put for
ward by their respective conventions. Since lsaO
every President Of this country has been elected by
minority vote and the particular results in the
case Of Polk in 1874, and Of Taylor IN 1885, were
produced by the direction whichthc antisavery sem
timent took, outside the nomination Of other candi-
dates than those put forward two great parties
In 1910, General Harrison was elected by popular
vote Of the whole people; but he the last Pres-
dent who has been elected in that shape. IN 1911
the anti. slavery party ran q separate candidate,
distracted about fifty sixty thousand votes from
the whig party, and thus elected Mr. Polk. In lstS
the anti slavery party renewed the struggle The
detection Of Van Buren, from the democratic ranks,
distracted from both parties-but principally from
the democratic-nearly three hundred thousand
votes, and thus elected General Taylor over Cass.
During the coming canvass, the anti-savery forces
have announced that they win be in the heid as in
former years; and already two or three conventions
Of different sections Of the slavery have been
arranging TO put forward nominee 1t is probable,
however, that the convention called in Pit,sburg by
the free sellers, another convention called at Ceve-
land in August, by the same faction, and a third
called by the liberty party in this State, at Buffalo,
in September, may all unite in distinct move
ment, embracing the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave
law-interventon in European afairs-the Maine
Liquor law-the Homestead law, and various other
ultraisms Of the day. and thus combine mighty force
taken from both the old partiesbut in what proper
ton is yet to be decided by the result. The election,
therefore. of the candidates nominated by both the
wing convention and the democratic convention,
will be determined more by the character and pros
poets OF the antislavery element and its power of
drawing from the whig and democratic parties,
than on the men whom the two former pro-
rose 70 place before the country If General
Scott shall be the nominee of the wings, his
strong Identification with Seward would seem
to indicate his ability to receive a great amount
of the abolition votes. But again, the knowledge
Of his sentiments on the Compromise question would
seem to indicate repulsion to all the ultras of
the antislavery faction, in sufficient magnitude and
force TO cause his availability to be very mate
rally reduced.
With these views the matter seems to be, even
at this stage Of the contest, covered with such mys-
terry and confusion as to render it utterly impossible
to get any clear idea Of the probable result. One
thing, however, seems positive and certain, and
that is, that W. ii. Seward, the principal friend and
supporter ofGen Scott, is determined possible to
avail himself of all the anti-slavery influence of the
North, and viii endeavor, in the approaching con-
test, under the mantle of Gen. Scott's popularity,
to elect House Of Representatives pledgedto repeal
the Fugitive Slave law, and revive the anti-slavery
agitation in this country, to the manifest danger
OF the Union and Of the future peaceabe relations
OF the North and South. The approaching election
will grow in excitement to frightful extent. and
! possibly end in result dangerous to the country
and its future prosperity. 1t begins to look dark
| The PRESIDENTIAL QuEsTIoN-ITs GROWING IN
PoRTANcE.-As we approach the day for the meeting
Of the National Conventions Of the two great parties,
the question begins to assume more impor-
tant aspect, and deeper tinge, every day and
every hour The recent movement Of Captain
Scott inquiring the sentiments Of the various de-
moclatic candidates on the Fugitive Slave law,
| and particularly in respect to the veto, should
any attempt be made to repeal such law in
future Congress, is rapidly giving a new as
| pect to the whole question, and will throw all
other issues and old platforms entirely over
board. In fact, as matters now look, the next
Presidential election win be Of the most mpor-
tant contests that has taken place in this country
since the formation of the constitution. The conyen-
| ton that framed the constitution came very near
/ breaking into pieces through this same slavery
4 question: and nothing but the moderation and good
sense Of Benjamin Franklin, who proposed an adj
journment for one day. TO give time to assuage
the eAasperated feelings Of the members, saved
that body from sudden explosion in the midst of
/ their great labors The same question almost pro-
duccd an explosion between the two sections during
4 the Missouri controversy, and were threat
ened with the same dangers on the compromise
question two years ago.
/ This deeply exciting ques.ion-partly religious
\ partly political, and partly seetional-embraced
4 in the general anti-slavery sentiment, now pro-
misses to come before the people Of the United
States, III the popular contest for the Presidency.
in broader and wider field than it has yet appear
/ cd since the establishment Of the republic AL
! parties and factions to be shaping their pro-
ceedings and their movements in that direction.
Even the organ Of the wing party in this city.
which has been endeavorng to dodge this terrible
issue, merely, for few months in order to reach
| political place, has the following acknowledgment
I in its columns Of yesterday
The intelligence the philanthropy the conscience Of
the American people all adverse to the perpetuation
I Of human slavery in country and anxious for its
termination In vain do interest. quiet AIDE
yatism plead for absolute silence indifference fnaiy
well might the two great parties conspre to interdct
and prevent the summer melting OF noun
tains. a. to inhbit further anti.slavcry agitation
So says the Tribune, the organ of the Scott-Sew-
ard party; aud 50 all parties seem to in be-
ieyng that the great issue of ntislavery between
the North and South-in the practical shape of
veto or no veto on any repeal Of the Fugitive Slave
law-will now be brought before the people Of this
country, to be decided at the POLLS
1t is a momcntous issue, and viii soon open the
eyes, not only Of politicians but OF al business men,
and Of all interested in the progress and prosperity
Of the country, North and South. The Southern
statesmen, Of all shades Of opinion, are preparing to
20 to the approaching election with firm resolve to
have that anti-slavery question determined at the
polls in the practical shape Of veto or no veto on
any bill designed to Illustrate or repeal the Fugitive
Slave law II The Northern States acting nnder The