The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-17

given to free soiler, would reconcile this State
to the new executive; firmly bind the demo-
cratic party as a band of brothers, and add
largely to the numerical strength, at all subse-
quent elections. But this is only supposition.
The event might be different from what is anti
cipated. If the hunkers should take an oppo-
site view of the case, and imagine themselves
ostracised because they had always been con-
sistent in their opposition to the free soil mania,
and that the other wing of the party was re-
warded because its members had once been
traitors to the Baltimore platform, and would
be again if not well compensated, it is not ha-
zarding much to say that treason to the party
will flourish again in proportion to the benefits
to be derived from it. But the next breach
in the ranks would come from those who
heretofore stood the most firm to democrat
ic principles. What, therefore, the executive
might gain in strength, would be dearly paid
for in principles suspected and in prestige
damaged.
In the adjoining States and more especially in
the South, those who had advocated the election
OF Gen. Pierce as free from all faint and free soil
tendencies, without communion and brotherhood
with them or any of them and who had been
elected to Congress on the strength OF their as
surances to the people, would have to answer
for their false prophesies; and the sins which
they had SO eloquently portrayed as likely to
be perpetrated by Gen. Scott, if elected, would
have to be answered for by them, as being COM
mitted under their own darling democratic ad-
ministration. How could they flee from the
wrath to come? How could they face their
constituents with their former speeches quoted
against them, and the no less eloquent and ele-
giant extracts drawn from the choice literature Of
the barnburner library. denouncing the traffic in
human flesh, and declaring the duty to humanity
to draw Gordon around States that were a libel
to republican principles and disgrace to human
nature? Uncle Toms Cabin contains no choice
gems so rich in thrilling eloquence. in words
that breathe and thoughts that burn, as the
speeches of those gentlemen who now are
aspirants for the highest seats in the
political synagogue, and whose claims are,
in reality, founded on the position which
those same speeches have given them in the
party. 1t does not require the gift Of prophecy
to foretell the result of such canvass. Every
democrat would 60 down. and if not, he would
60 into opposition to save himself
Should free soil democrat be selected for
the cabinet, the equilibrium, no doubt, would
be restored by appointing one Of the State
rights party as counterpoise. That is, the
load would be lightened by making it double,
on the principle Of the miller's bag, where
two stones can more easily be carried on
horseback than one. The mosaic compost
ton of such cabinet would certainly be
fanciful and ingenious, and highly bcauti-
full, as all mosaic work is, or ought to
be. But this kind Of art belongs more
to the ornamental than the useful. All
composite productions are brittle-they are
liable to break-they lack strength. Those
Of political cast are not free from the imper-
fections attendant upon all others. 1t is idle
to suppose that the country will put faith in
the sincerity of any man processing to uphold
principles which he had opposed until his COM
ing into office. Communion with saints will
saints may make hypocrite. The recent defeat
of the Derby administration in England clearly
teaches that the public will never permit any
man or set Of men to take charge Of measures
which they had opposed and the present Aber-
deem ministry is deficient in prestige, because
its component parts are not solid and united,
but of composite order.
No one will suppose that the free soil wing Of
the democratic party ought to be excluded from
office under the incoming administration. They
were useful tablespoonful auxiIiares-
fought manfully for General Pierce; but they
were only allies and auxiliaries-not an int
grail portion Of the party. 1t would be I'M
generous not to reward them for their services
and sufferings; but it might be unjust to pay
them out Of the spoils which more properly be-
long to the veterans who never deserted nor
were dismayed in the hour Of disaster to which
the others had contributed. The Roman Consul
caressed, extolled, and remunerated his Ger
manic allies; the French Emperor, in after times,
initiated his example towards the descendants
of the same people. But Caesar never gave to
one Of those allies the command of cohOrt,
nor did Napoleon create from among them
marshal of the empire.
These suggestions are not thrown out to in
fuence the choice of gentlemen for seats in the
new cabinet. The decision of this delicate ques-
ton, we are inclined to believe, has already
been made by the President elect. If there be
any doubt in the mind Of any one specializing
on cabinet formations, let him consult the conn
tenances Of the leading wings, democrats and
free sellers at Washington. The bump of hope
is more strongly developed among the last
This will put an end to the daily parade of in
significant names for cabinet appointments.
THE NAVY AND THE OLD FoGrEs.-As an Offset
to the bill of Commodore Stockton for the reor-
ganization of the Navy, the National Htelhi-
gencer at Washington, with the zeal Of faith
full old antiquary, digs up from oblivion an old