The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-24

that sentiment and insult the memory OF those
measures. For his confidential advisers he chose
men who were aliens to the one, and enemies Of
the Others No principle-unless this wretched
frowardness can be called principle-inspired
his choice. He took free sellers on the one
hand and secessionists on the other, and stroye
to bind them together in coalition that was
riveted by no possible clasp but the adhesive
power of the public plumber. The very first
official act of Franklin Pierce was predicated
on the basest instincts of human nature, and
founded on deliberate calculation that the
corrupt propensities Of politicians are sure to
outweigh their principles.
As though to redeem this cynical slur on his
class, the second act of his administrative ca
reer looked to gratitude for motive and
basis A thought of duty never entered his
brain for an instant. Sundry individuals,
soamps as well as respectable imbeciles, had
aided his election he paid them in foreign mis-
sions Looking upon the foreign interests of the
United States as fund to be used by him to
pay his private debtors, he sent an ignorant
country gentleman to Paris an English social
list to Naples, an itinerant scribbler to Turin, q
French adventurer to Madrid, and, with the sim
gle exception of Mr.. Buchanan, men utterly de-
void of diplomatic ability to every other foreign
court. Dealing in like manner with the home
patronage Of the government, he seemed to
avoid all imputations of entertaining any re-
gard for merit as thing disgraceful. Choos-
ing, in preference to the staunch friends of the
principles which had elected him, the leaders of
the most traitorous factions in all sections Of
the country to be his officeholders, he gave
fresh life to free soilism throughout the North
and to secessonsm in the South. OF course he
thus broke up the democratic party far and
wide. Dissension split its ranks as well in the
East as in the West, in the South as in the
North. For our share we were handed over to
the tender mercies of William "a. Seward. Mean
while, the only point in our foreign policy
which seemed to have taken any strong hold Of
his attention-the subject of diplomatic attire
was prosecuted with vigor enough to make us
in few months the laughing stock of Europe.
Then the Nebraska bill, came up to complete our
knowledge of his character. His want of prin-
ciple was already conspicuous enough: his
weakness and his corruption required additional
illustration. They received it in ample measure.
Vacillation and regeneration can 60 no fur
ther. Now for the bill, now against it, new
pronouncing adherence ito its principles test
of democratic orthodoxy, NOW declaring deme-
Gratis free to support it or not as they please,
Mr.. Pierce has already exhibited every phase of
sentiment in his actions, and has not convinced
one rejecting mind that he is not at heart op-
posed to the extension of slavery under the con-
stitution.
In truth, stupendous revolution has taken
lplace in public sentiment during the last eigh-
teen months. That revelation would probably
he developed in o manner that would astonish
the world, if another Presidential election were
now, to take place and Mr.. Pierce to present
himself and be opposed by General Scott. The
dignity, tranquility and honorable composure
with which the one has borne his defeat and
the imbecility, cowardice, want of spirit, and
corruption which the other has evinced in his
triumph, present q contrast that would entirely
justify any revulsion Of public opinion.
DISCRIMINATION OF PARrrEs.-The Richmond
Enquirer states that the Nebraska bill has
broken up the vhig party North and South.
This is true to q certain extent. The constitu-
tional principles contained in the bill came into
contact with sectional prejudices that were
stronger than mere party attachments, and the
latter as q matter Of course, were snapped
asunder. But if the Nebraska bill has produced
such q conclusion in the wing ranks, it has done
no less for the democratic party. The free soil
appointments made by Mr.. Pierce, on his ac-
cession to power, commenced the disorganiza-
ton Of the democratic party here; the Nebraska |
bill has completed the work, and the wreck lies |
scattered around u.s. It has produced an equal |
shock in New Hampshire; the democratic pha-
victory has been dearly bought. 1t is safe to
predict q similar result in Connecticut and
Rhode Island. We are much mistaken if the
approaching elections in those States do not dis
close as great disarray of the democratic
army as we see here and in New Hampshire
In point of fact, there are certain constitu-
tional principles, and certain sectional mea-
sures, which, when they come into collision with
party tactics either in or out Of Congress, must
prevail, and drive party considerations to the
wall, 1t is thus that the constitutional prin-
ciple involved in the Nebraska bill has demo-
lished both the wing and democratic parties. Still
if, six months hence, we were called upon to
elect another President, and confde to the
hands of another set of men the disposal of fifty
millions q year of the public plumber, say two
hundred millions of dollars for the four years,
we have not the smallest doubt that both par
ties would patch up their differences, ignore past
defeats, hide the rents in their character and
their ranks and each take the field with appar-
ent earnestness. They would each erect ge-
neral platform with high sounding words and
splendid theories, and fight great battle for
the same object and with the same weapons as
they fought in 1862. So true is it that the
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