The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-15
the Late Presidential Election.

time.
The Late Presidential Election.
From the Frsauan's Journal, August 10.
The elevation Of General Pierce to the Presidency,
forms one of the most remarkable episodes in the
political history of the Union. The idea that his
nomination by the Baltimore Convention was the
spontaneous act OF the delegates is we believe, one
OF the veriest humbugs ever promulgated in this
country. To q large number of the leading men Of
that body, the selection of General Pierce was, no
doubt, foregone conclusion that had been reached
long before the mass of the delegates had been
named But so perfectly was the network woven,
aud profoundly the secret kept by the men to
whom it was cOnGded, that when the mine was at
length sprung up0n the party the old leaders were
completely paralyseU. Ia no country, and under no
circumstances was there ever an organic ation more
perfect in all its parts than that formed for the nom
ton and election Of General Pierce to the Presidency
As piece Of mere political intrigue it challenges
the subtlest schemes OF old Machiaveln himself.
The overthrow Of the democratic party In 1s4S,
broke 1t into such minute fragments that nothing
short of refusOn of the old material could it
from crumbling to dust. But before scheme 30 ex-
tensive that could be attempted. it became neces
sary to experiment awhile upon the amalgamating
properties OF the constituent parts 1t is hardly
ceseary to say, that the experiment precursor
Of complete success AS early the month Of March,
1852, we were, as 1t happened, shown letters from
prominent politicians in this State (who have since
obtained their reward) laying down to some exteot
the programme Of the new organization. At that
time looked upon these letters idle speculatons
and Cost them aside the contemplate efforts Of
faction whom we supposed was already sunk to the
lowest depths Of political oblivion. That clique was
the Van Buren, wing Of the democratic party. The
leading point in the programme was to sound the
ground and ascertain where the deepest water lay.
The progressive tendency of the country pointed
with unerng certainty to the great West and to the
claims Of Messrs. Cass and Douglass. But first Of ALL
it became necessary to subject to the fiery ordeal
certain individuals, who, up that time, had never
stood the test Of white heat in the political furnace
Robert Scott of Virginia. whose letters to the vari
GUS Presidential candidates will be remembered, and
who has since been rewarded with the Rio consul
late. 1t is not little singular that he drew the fire
at that time the smbuscade behind which the battery
was eDtrenched. That man was General Pierce.
To Mr.. George Saunders was given the interesting
task OF uprootDg the snags in the Western waters,
familiar with the manner in which he did this, by
the magic words "Old Fogy and Young America"
and they will perceive, too, how well his conduct
has been appreciated by the gift 0f the cons1lshp
London. Senator Soule, Henry A. Wise, Of vir-
ginia, Mr.. breckenridge, of Kentucky land General
Davis, OF Mississippi were sharged with the care of
the secessionists-the fllibusters, aud the South
generally. The first named has the mission to Spain
the second VIII, in all probability, be the next
Speaker; the third is the confidential man IN the
House of Representatives, and the fourth has seat
in the cabinet.
The condition Of New York was such that all hope
OI CdUu'ktG rom IUlS state Was pre-
posterous ard in this fat Of the Sage of Linden
wad, Mr.. Marcy acquiesced, but upon the distinct
understanding that he to be preseat ut the dis
tribuion Of the "spoils" No ore, it is presumed,
viii assert that he has not been. The claims Of
Pennsylvania were to be adjusted on the basis OF
Mr.. BuchaDans having clear chance for the nomi
nation by the votes of General Pierce's friends.
These he received constantly, until his name was
finally withdrawn rs hopeless. This is proved by
the strenuous efforts Of Mr. Sldel in his behalf and
by the handsome compliment rendered them both
by the administration. 0 bio having no candidate,
was coniioed To the watchful care OF Mr. Medary.
and TO the eloquent pleadings OF John Van Buren,
The overwhelming ma )rity she gave illustrates the
powerful influences to which she was subjected.
The wires in the Eastern States were controlled by
Mr.. Gushing. and the manner in which he worked
them only shows how well he deserved the Attorney
Generalship.
We have thus far endeavored to sketch brief
outline OF the system upon which was founded one Of
the most powerful political schemes ever attemp ted
either in this or any other country. As piece Of
intrigue il is worthy of the palmest days of old Mr.
Van Buren, Such a "sale'' Of pr, sidential ,andi.
dates heard tell of before. 1t il easy now
to be seen how the election of General Pierce was
accomplished, and to account for the singular policy
which has thus far marked his ad administrations For
our own part, we believe that he has been unable to
act otherwise than he has done and that he has only
redeemed She pledges that were the price OF his tr
umph.
From the very Offset of the free soil movement in
Van Buren's adherence to that principle All his
political antecedents are in opposition to it, and she
readiness with which he endorsed the Baltimore
platform of 81 is Pr01 fare evidence Of the weak
ness of his faith ia the ,s, OF free soil But indepen-
dent Of this, it was sine gun non with his coad-
tutors in the game that be should recant This, of
courge, left General Pierce free to express whatever
nc thought proper in his inaugural and
VIII explain further the apparent Inconsistencies OF
his policy. The struggle OF the party was for the
spoils-and it succeeded.
Inc design OF Mr. Van Buren, was 70 change the
venue Of the political trial from the West to the East
and he accomplished it..
The foregoing affords matter for careful study
to those not fully Initiated into the policy Of this all
II it suggests farther inquiry rs to
the relations Martin Van Buren, now holds with the
power that he. or as to why he has gone abroad at
this particular time what connection this has with
the foreign policy Of Gen. Pierce's government, we
can only for today, recommend those interested to
wait patiently fo7 the Development Of another chap
ter In this strange eventful history