The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-04-21

dates and Principles.
There are three parties for the Presidency in
the field, all more or less in Q crude, undisci-
plined or unorganized shspe-the democratic
party approaching most nearly to solid CO.
hesive national organization. Each Of these
parties will have its candidate for the Presi-
dency. The national conservative Know No
things have already nominated Mr.. Fillmore as
their champion; and from all the indications
Of the day, Mr.. Buchanan will most probably
be the democratic nominee, and Judge Nc
Lean, Of Ohio, the candidate Of the Seward
nti-slavery coalition.
Upon the assumption that these will be the
three contestants for the succession, there can
be but little cavilling as to the personal quail
fcations of any one of them for the important
station which Col Dick johnson once modest
~ declared was too high to be sought for or
declined. Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Fillmore and
Mr. Mclean are all eminent men-men of en-
larged and extensive knowledge Of and expe-
ience in government affairs; and they have
each, too, an extensive personal acquaintance
with the politics and politicians, capables and
ncapables for office, in the various parts Of the
country. But this coming election will not be
determined, like those Of 1928, 1910 and lS4S,
upon the personal merits or popularity of the
favorite candidate. The public verdict will
be rendered upon the principles at issue in the
contest. Thus, though Mr.. Buchanan, Mr..
Fillmore and Judge Mclean may be said to oc-
cupy nearly the same high eminence Of indi-
vidunl responsibility, when we come to the
public policy and the principles of the parties
they respectively represent, the distinction in
each case is broad, prominent and comprehen-
sive.
II is fact that the administration of Gene
raj Pierce with the Inauguration of which We
were promised the restoration of the EZRA of
good feeling") has resulted in the complete
obliteration of all cur old party landmarks,
and in such general bouleuGseasent among par
ties, factions and politicians; such universal
discords, such strange and heterogeneous ALI
ances, such sharp and salient angles Of party,
hostility, such bitter feuds among races, sects,
sections and factions as are wholly without q
parallel in the history of the country. There
has been going on for some time sort of spon-
taneous capitalization among the clashing ele-
ments of party thus thrown confusedly to-
gether; and thus we find the American party,
the so-called republican party, rising into
view, and the available forces Of the demo
cratic party, scorched and blistered, but full
of hope and confidence, coming together again.
But as yet, even with the democratic party,
the reorganization for 1856 is crude, inharmo-
NOUS, confused and cloudy. Their reconstruc
ton, however, upon broad national Issues they
expect will be fully consuumated at Cincin-
natl, and fully to the satisfaction of the masses
of the conservative American people.
With the Seward antislavery alliance
everything remains yet to be done. Their
present plan appears to be such soften
ing Of Stewards original programme as.
without extreme violence to the old coaserva-
tive wings Of the North, will still answer as
starting point against the South, and be at
the same time acceptable to the Northern
Know Nothings. In brief, their new policy
is fusion, moderation, respectable candi
date, and the suppression Of all appear.
ances of disunioR abolition agitation. Free
dom for Kansas will probably be the ex
tent of their present enactment agains.
lavery, with any quantity of Leather and
prunella" upon ether subjects, to sweeten the
prescription to the taste Of Northern Know
Nothings, radicals, Jewellers, and Missionaries
of all kinds. Such is the scheme; but what
will be the exact results of this Seward coalition
convention for June, is quite another thing.
In regard to the Independent American par
y there is as much of doubt and uncertainty
Our last special European advices throw t
the report that Mr.. Fillmore, before finally de-
Gliding upon the Philadelphia nomination, wi l
return home and inspect for himself "the lay
of the land" Should he do this, he may, upon
"the sober second thought" conclude to de-
cline the honor sought 70 be conferred upon
him by the conservative American party. In
sucb an event, too, the 'live wings may rouse
themselves, call convention, nominate
ticket with an opening for the national Ame-
ricans to come in at, and we may thus, before
the end Of July, have the old whig party
again in harness for the fight with the "l2th
section" Know Nothings as their active al
lies. In default OF some such arrangement
the supporters Of Mr.. Buchanan, in the event
of his nomination, count upon large accessions
to their ranks from the old conservative wings
of all sections of the Union.
Thus it will be seen that the battle field, and
the disposition respectively of the contend ing
forces, have yet to be chosen. Enough, how
ever, is known to satisfy all parties thai
the slavery question will be the Malakoff of
the siege. We can also safely conjecture that
the result in November will be fraught with
changes outside of the slavery issue, on the
policy of the government, and in our par
ty politics, Of the highest moment. Tie
overshadowing danger is the slavery elt-
ment of sectionalism, now 70 striking
ly predominant North and South. If In the