The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-10-26
The Presidential Contest as Viewed In Eu-
rope.

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1t must be wonderful and an almost inexpli-
cable spectacle to the monarchs and nobility of
Europe to the emperors. whose thrones rest upon
ages, piled up on the primeval usurpation, to the
kings who have been raised to power by some re-
cent convulson. and in whose mind change is
synonymous with bloodshed, civil war and general
ruin to the nobility, trembling on stand which
every effort of the human intellect threatens to
precipitate--it must be a wonderful sight for
these men to see the contest now pending in the
United States for the election of Chief Magis-
trate.
There was time when the United States were
too small and puny nation for their proceed
ings to attract much attention in Europe. In
those days the peaceful election of President
was explained on the ground that the country
was too large and the people too few and too
poor to get up bloody revolutions. As soon as
the country grows, said the monarchists you
shall see very different state Of things This
explanation viii not answer now. The United
States are now az great nation wealth, avail
able power for military purposes commerce, in
ternal resources, intelligence, extent Of territory,
and all other points of comparison duly con-
,idered-as any of the European realms, not eS-
Guiding Russia. There are as many vested in
'erests here to disturb, as many poor persons to
I've stimulated ly covetousness, az many dissats-
fed politicians as there are in any of the coun-
tries of Europe. let the elections 90 on every
tour years as usual The canvass proceeds with ey-
traordinory violence of manner and languages;
but when it is over and the votes are cast every
body turns round and goesbacl to his own trade,
quite resigned TO the verdict Of the majority.
This spectacle must be beyond the comprehension
Of the leading moaarchists Of the Old World.
BIT IL j. not the only subject at wonderment
in the United States at the present time. There
are three candidates in the field for Tire Office Of
Chief Magistrate President We call him, they
would call him King or Emperor in Europe. Not
ore OF these has anything in his favor In the way
Of adyenltious adyantages-no wealth or hereii-
tary hoBoIs. or prestige beyond that acquired by
his own talents. James Buchanan was the son
of poor Pennsylvania farmer: studied law in
his youth, aud rose by industry and hard work to
a high standing in his profession whence he
passed into public life and iillcd various high sta
tons with distinction: and nov stands forth IN
virtue Of this record, as candidate for Preni-
dent Willard Fillmore was also poor far
mor's son, and in bis youth an apprentice 10 a
clother: In. feeling his power, be too studied
law attained emiEence by his character, became
Vice President Of the United states; and ty n
lucky accident for him. President as well. The
third candidate. John c. Fremont, came also Of
poor family and was 70 poor in his youth that
be was glad to find an opportunity Of becoming
an usher at Charleston in order to gain pit
lance for his old mother; but having at last
chance Of showing the metal OF which he was
made in the exploration Of the Rocky Mountains
and the conquest Of California, he so used Ii that
when the people wanted an Independent. manly
candidate for President free from old party
faint. they chose hin.
OF these three, onc-Mr Fillmore-will have
no opportunity Of testing the resignation Of the
American people; he is out Of The question; bu,
Of The other two, one will bc Tie next President.
and what i more--despitc all the bravado and
easconade Of the South--whichcver Of the pair
he may chance to be, he viii be quietly aad re-
spectfully received By his defeated opponents
That i sight which has never yet been wit
messed in Europe, and which Europeans cannot
realize.