The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-16

tis.S4cA SCI Oh iOOO Win 1H.lt elu Iae pl0Ol 10
behereafter split in defence Of our rights will
be upon theis heads
Tie European Wnr-Its Probable Effects
upon Political Parties i'm the United States.
II may be safely predicted that the fearful
war which is about to burst upon startled Er-
rope will work ont many changes in the polti-
cal map of that helligerent continent. and
mighty revolutions in its ancient dynasties and
political and religious systems. These things
are SO distinctly foreshadowed in the gathering
elements OF the impending convulsion that
their ultimate ful6lment can scarcely be ques.
toned. Nor is it likely that the effects of this
Stalking up Of the rotten monarchies Of the Old
World will be limited to the Eastern side of
the Atlantic. Great political changes will fol-
low in this country, in the reconstruction of
political parties, and in their principles, plat
forms, measures and movements
This reorganization of our political parties
will be shaped more in reference to the foreign
policy of the government than upon sectional
OF internal questions of economy. Hereafter,
the position of the government upon our for
eign relations will be paramount, and will con-
troll the movements OF parties, and the contro-
yersies which may agitate our national
elections. During the past few years tae
Old distinguishing landmarks between the
two great parties OF the day have been
substantially obliterated. They no longer ex-
let. The shrewiest politician cannot tell what
now constitutes the difference between a whie
ana democrat, or what makes whig or
L democrat The great internal questions
OF the tariff, the bank the subtreasury, and 10
tcrnol improvements have been practically set
tied. The attempt of the administration to
make the Nebraska bill the new line Of party
denarcation appears 10 have excited only the
disgust and contempt OF all parties for the
folly, the stupidity, and imbecility which insti-
gated the foolhardy experiment
At this stage Of the decentralization, dissolu-
ton and confusion OF our old political parties.
the momentous and comprehensive imbroglio OF
the European nations opens a new field for the
active enterprise OF our statesmen and politi-
clans OF all factions and classes The public
mind will have something for discussion, re-
Election, and ultimate action. as the phases
OF this contSental conflict may suggest e.
sential changes and notifications of our
relations with the European Powers. Con-
troversies involving to us the issues of peace
or war, neutrality or intervention. war
like annexation OF neighboring provinces or
their acquisition through the tedious forms of
diplomacy--questions OF blockade. confiscation,
impressment and prvateerpg, may vet grow
out Of the perplexities and retalations between
the European beliigerents. A thousand con-
tingeEcies may happen requiring our govern
ment TO assume more positive and active
position than that Of submissive neutrality
and thus the European war win exert a para
mount influence N our American politics and
IL the measures and principles Of the new par
tics which will be organized for the next Presi-
Dental campaign.
glance At our past political history will
show that onr foreign relations pending
European war have uniformly controlled the
policy and the fortunes Of our political parties
During The last years Of the French republic
Of the Jacobins their depredations upon Ameri-
can commerce 50 far provoked the wrath of the
elder Adams and the federal party that had
WY 'N1H F1svttAN'i ny y buflciel6 tOFce IN
Congress there would very likely have been
declaration Fl war against France. Bnt
he republican party, headed ~ Mr. jefferson,
sympathized with the French republic and the
republican principles apon which It was pro-
claimed conlrqdistinguished from the /" d.
vino right q kings SET up hy England and the
other allies Il the Bourbons. The disastrous
failure Of Mr. Adams ana the fcderalists. in at
tempting 70 establish the Chinese policy Of ex-
3lusioD ard espionage under The alien and sedi-
ton laws, was u great measure due to the
qoickened ympathies 81 the republican party,
excited by the terrible conflicts OF the French
revelation Again, from 1872 D 1915 The two
great parties % TIE country were organized
and acted upon policy either for or against
lhe war afd ID this controversy tbo fcderalists.
a. prrty were utterly destroyed AS in the
first French revolution, their sympa.hies were
win England and me conservative checks Of
monarchcal power They held tbat a reason
able degree Of liberty was incompatible with
popular sovereignty and so they fell before
he iudemontof the people,
From 1916 to 1898, the federal party being an
initiated, our political contests were mere sLrug-