Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-05-26
Views Of n Foreigner.

Views Of a Foreigner.
Intelligent foreigners, who have possessed them
selves Of accurate acquaintance with our institu
TONS without enlsting sdherentS Of either party
are the best Judges because impartial, of the condi
ton OF the country. They occupy somewhat the
position of the future historian they observe with
| out prejudice, aud record their opinions without ~
ference To the fate Of existing parties
The French paper in New Ycrk-the Courier
DIES Etdts- Unis-t though not coming up fully To th'
requisites of thorough knowledge of institutions
aud impsrtiaity between dom sstic psrtics-bcing :
bitter opponent Of the American party-is yet con
Quoted by foreigner of shrewdness who has paid
much attention to the working of our system, ant
whose observations are very often worthy the seri
Gus consideration of n native. \ late number %
that paper has remarks of this character upon
the present confused condition of parties in Thu
country. We make free translation of some Of it,
paragraphs, which dc>igne,: To explain the rcs
sons of its preference for Mr. Buchanan for the Pre-
sidcncy 1t has high admiration for Mr.. Fillmore
sui reoces at his nomination. because he is worthy
TO lead one OF the great parties of the country
though, in being nominated 10y the Know Nothings,
he cannot receive the support of foreign paper.
"Onc Of the characteristic traits of the politi
cal condition of tn United States, which is becom-
ing and more marked, is the absence of all SUI
periority, of all durable popularity among the men,
who aspire To direct the affairs Of the country Till
ls4s rather till A. when Polk nominated for
his inSigniticance-thc true beginning Of the oi
small men, each party had its veterans, its candi-
dates designated in advance and it easy To know
before the opening of the campaign who would be
the leaders of the opposing forces Things have
completely changed since that day. The disorgani-
zltion OF the old political parties the absolute con-
fusion OF principles which has been the consequence,
the successive disappearance OF nearly all the men
of acknowledged eminence-and more than all the
rest, the system of shameful intrgueS to which the
whole Union has been subjected, have finished in
converting the electoral arena into chaos without a
name. What was formerly pitched battle between
two armies of distinct colorS, is become rightful
pellmell of undiSciplined bands with siescribable
banners. Not only are there no longer any chiefs
but more parties. On the very eve Of combat,
very few can say under what banner they will range
themselves or TO whose hands they will entruSt
their standard
This is most deplorable condition for free
country; for the experience Of all time proves that
the reign of mcdiocrty and corruption Is the inevi
1852 and what has since TRANSFERRED has been in
confirmation of this experience The election Of
1886 may supply additional evidence For never
were Presidential aSpirantS more numerous; never
more impossible to say who will be selected, or &c
assign the reasons for the selection.
In this state OF thingS-more serious than is z,
morally Representatives, tends to put forward al
acceptable name, shoLd be regarded as happy
Symptom-we had almost said a plank Of safety
Ii this that prompted Us TO salute with certain
slHyrts,mfHt the nomination Of Mr.. Fillmore-al
though it eInanates from the Know Nothings, oui
natural and irreconcilabe enemies Ii WAS this tina
made Us greet, with satisfaction still more lively
the reception given to Mr.. Buchanan his return
from England.
Like Mr.. Fillmore, Mr.. Buchanan has antecelcnt,
and principles of public notoriety like Mr. Fill
more, he has gwen proofs Of capacity in the real "a
erci>e Of power like him, in a word he is pract
cal man. not a dreamer of theories and adventures
lie holds in all respects, in the Democracy the sam,
rank that Mr. Fillmore held in the old Wing party
lie has the same title 10 the condolences Of the couH
try, aud offers to it the same GUARANTEES
/ The Courier proceeds to express the hope tina
the contest will he between these Two gentlemen
"Mr Fillmore is already in the field, and the Demo
cracy should esteem itself too fortunate in beine
able to confront him with such an opponent as Mr.
Buchanan" But the Courier doubts-it fears tn,
intrgues at Cincinnati 1.-The common interest /,
IAN empty word-the question Of principles an il
a. lusion-the fraternity OF party fal>ehood. Eael
for himself, and the Devil take the hudmost
" such is the device OF the new regime