The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-01

OF the yellow Fever at the South; Commsrc a. ia
dc,al, Theatrical and Miscellaneous Intelligence &C.
The W hAg Campaign OPepeo fsr 1853 ns
Co"aS,s~ ~ me Wing roEy
The Wing Convection Of Massachusetts, held
at Fitchbsrg, h the opening scene of the labors
OF that party in 1858. Is was presided over by
Mr. Winthrop and from the remarks Of that
gentleman we gather the only distinctive
points Of whig tactics SO far as Massachusetts, is
concerned, TO be urged upon the country. The
Pacific Railroad is adopted. and the foreign po-
,icy Of President Pierce is indstnctly opposed.
The Maine law was given an outside berth, and
we do NOT find that the old party issues have
been more Hospitality entertained. Ia relation
to the foreign administration of the govern
ment the views enunciated by Mr.. Gushing are
cessarily draw in question the positions as
sumed by Mr. Everett, whose official and un-
official letters touching the island of Cuba,
have elected almost universal praise. but
which seem not to have engaged the attention
of The Fitchbnrg Convention. The Wing Con-
ventiOn to come of at Syracuse on the 9TH
proximO il the next step in the drama. which
win be looked to with great interest, as I'M
folding more authoritatively the distinctive
principles OF that party. 1t was supposed that
Mass achusetts on the bases OF Mr. Everett's
recent letters, and in view of the practical set
Element Of all the outstanding accounts OF
parties in the line Of their former trade, to say
Hmm nf ho linda ant IF tha
compromise measures of 1850. and the agency
Of Mr. Webster in securing their passage, would
at its Fitchburg Convention, unfold new pro-
gramme. The time and the place were auspi-
cious Be all this as it may, the occasion is
suggestive OF some reflections upon the past
career of the wing party-upOn its men, its
measures its follies, its triumphs and its de-
feats.
In the essential policy Of Massachusetts, is to
he found the seed Of its fall; so now it would not
have been wonderful if Phenix-lke, it should
there rse from its ashes. and, like Paul before
his accusers, speak for itself
Early in the administration of John Quincy
Adams the wings as party were organized
That the new order was largely made up Of the
old federal organization is more than apparent
The spirit and policy OF the lder Adams and
Mr.. Hamilton pervaded it. 1t was based on the
principles and the early opinions of many of the
prominent men Of the Revolution. The current
belief. that it was hostile to the rights of the
masses. is wholly incorrect it doubted only
whether the extension of suffrage would not
disturb the political fabric, without benefit
ing the people. This was one of the prominent
convictions Of the federal party; and it was, to
greater OF less extent carried into the new or
gaDization. under the acknowledged leadership
Of Mr.. Clay. Mr. Clay was a Western man, and
imbued with the spirit and daring of that class
Of politicians. It was, then, one of those vicis-
situdes in the eddying currents of political life,
not easily explained, which brought him into
connection with federal opinions, and with the
men and peculiar policy of Massachusetts.
Their union, however, lie matter of history 1t
spirit ofMr Clay was to exercise personal control,
while the policy of Massachusetts, in reference to
all the great economical questions ofthe day was
endorsed and incorporated into the articles of
faith Of the coalition. 1t was, in truth SO to
speak. the union Of antagonisms- of repellants
It was the policy Of Hamilton engrafted into
the old Jefsrsonian trunk -the Ethiopian spirit of
restrictions and class legislation in
fused into man whose career was the embodi-
ment OF freedom, and whose speech had done
more to build mp the affairs of democracy, and
to extend and adorn its faith. than any other
;vip S%a t.
to Kentucky in the bonds of political wedlock
n Massachusetts, cold calculating, Astounding in
industry and wealth with habits and opinions
as fixed as her granite hills-united to the i'm
petuous, generous bold, and free spirit of Ken
lucky.
What wonder is it that from such union
came an offspring variant in character and
leedss- sueh house is divided against
self.--that q Seward should rise up in the
North with progeny of notified hybrid dis
urbers that q Greeley should bring into
the family fatal brood Of socialists, |
" omen without sex and without shame, higher
law, Maine law. and mob law that Weed
should parade before the household the ghastly
forms Of the dead to compass political ends?
What wonder that such union has ended in
discord, faction, and ruin?
But Tor the time being there was q strong
show Of plausibility in the economics Of the
new faith. The Industrial interests Of the coun-
try had not been fully organized. The distri
button Of labor was imperfect Every branch
rested upon experiment. The doctrines Of pro-
lection had been early taught by Hamilton,
and through his agency, adopted as the settled
policy of the government. The examples OF
other nations might be quoted to sustain our
own. As wealth accumulated, its influence, al
ways great, was brought to bear upon the same
point. An auxiliary to this policy, exceeding
" plausible, and addressed to the interests of
large portion Of the country, was found in the