Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-07
avn IrIPoRrANT DAY.

vember, Will exert great influence over the
composition of the next Congress- Five
States--New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michi-
gan, and Wisconsin--elect members Of the
next House Of Representatives to-day. Those
States are entitled to ffty-four members
nearly onefourth Of the whole House. Three
of them-New York, Illinois, and Wisconsin
will also elect members of their State legisla-
lures, who will choose members of the United
States Senate TO fill the vacancies to be occa-
stoned by the expiration of the terms of Mr..
Seward, General Shields, and Mr.. Walker.
In most of the States we have mentioned,
the struggle is between the Democratic party
on the one side and the fused forces of the
Wings and Anti-slavery factionists on the
other. But in New-Y ork the case is different.
In that State there is third party in the field
which presents, as far as we can perceive, but
one clear and distinct issue, and that is oppo-
sition to the Maine Liquor-law. This party
contains the Soft-shell Democrats, and por-
ton of the Free-soilers, who united with the
Softrshels last year. These two elements in
their State convention, adopted, after much
difficulty, a platform Of equivocal import and
doubtful character, whilst they have not, in
their Congressional conventions, taken any
action which could explain their platform.
Their Congressional conventions, as far as
we are informed, have, with but a sin
gle exception, made no allusion to the great
question of the day. The exception to which we
allude, was furnished by the Congressional dis
trict Of Onondaga. The convention of that dis
trict denounced the Nebraska bill and those
who aided in its passage, in the most violent
terms, and adopted series of resolutions which
would have been spplauded at Fusion gather
ing. With this single exception, the friends of
Governor Seymour have placed his claim to
popular favor on his veto of the Maine liquor
law, and upon that alone. BY combining them
selves to this single issue, they expect to obtain
the influence and the votes of the liquor selling
interest," and of those who oppose legislative
temperance. That they will succeed to a con-
siderable extent cannot be doubted; but yet
we are not sure that they will obtain sufficient
recruits from that source to fill the gaps in their
ranks, caused by Freesoil deserters to the can
didate of the factions.
Myron Fl. Clark was originally nominated
for governor by the Wing party of New York;
but Immediately after receiving the nomination,
he mounted the Fusion platform and received
q Fusion nomination. Since then, all the other
factions which abound in New York, have
painted their devices on his banner until he
may be considered the candidate of the fused
factions. lie will, Of necessity, poll large
vote but inasmuch as many of the Silver
Gray Wings viii not sustain him, and he failed
in obtaining the nomination of the regular
Know-nothing organization, his election is by
no means certain. 1t seems to be generally
admitted that there has been rupture in this
organization and that one part Of the Know
nothing party will rally around the piebald and
spotted flag borne by Myron II. Clark. We
have seen no estimate of the strength he will
gain from this source; and, indeed, allegations
are very stouly made that those who propose
to support him as Know.nothings are not real
but spurious members, not entitled to wear the
name and unable to direct the movements Of
the order.
Daniel Ullman is the Know-nothing can
didate. He was formerly Silver Gray Wing,
and peradyenture the Silver Gray Wings
may throw their votes for him. On the
other hand, some people surmise that he was
not nominated to be supported by his order,
but to mask its movements. The telegraph
will soon tell how much truth there is in such
surmises.
Greene G. Bronson is the only candidate for
the Governship of New York, whose election
would decide anything, because he is the only
candidate Of a homogeneous party. He was
placed in the field by the National Democrats
of New York, and along with the announce
ment Of his nomination the principles Of those
who nominated him we're clearly and distinctly
proclaimed. In all matters Of legitimate fed
eral concern, they accorded fully with the prin-
ciples entertained by the Democracy of the
country. Bypublic addresses and by the reso-
lutions Of Congressional conventions, the sup
porters Of Judge Bronson have fully sustained
the National Democratic sentiments Of the
platform adopted at their State, Convention.
They have come up manfully to the support
Of the Nebraska bill. They have entered into
no alliance with any faction; and they have
appealed to no separate interest Of the State
for succor and support. Under such circum-
stances the election Of Judge Bronson would
be full Of significance, and would strengthen
the Democratic party throughout the country
The election Of Governor Seymour would pre-
vent the passage Of the Maine liquor law, and
that is all. II would throw no light on thu
strength Of parties in New York, for the issul
presented by his friends has no reference tc
any Of the questions which have hitherto di
vided parties. The election of Myron II. Clarl
would be ominous Of evil, for 1t would make
the influence Of the State Of New York priz'