The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-08

IOLlIlCAL PAhIiES IN THE UNITED oTAIES.-
We see that some Of the journals which have
supported Colonel Fremont are consOling them
selves for their defeat by expatiating on the
strength shown by what they call the republican
party" and by prognosticating triumphs in the
future to be achieved by the same republican
party" A little reflection may possibly save
these persons some modification hereafter.
Their idea of party-that is to say, COM
pact homogeneous body, with fixed principles and
perpetual succession-is not, we apprehend, jasti-
fed by the reality. Such . party does not, and
never can exist in the United States. We have
railroad companies and other moneyed corpora-
tons which are aggregates, possessing perpetual
succession, lasting entity, and usually an in
creasing force from year to year; but in politics
we have nothing of the kind. Our paroles are
ephemeral creations with sudden birth, rapid
growth, and an almost instantaneous decline and
extinction. They spring into existence from Pc
culiar combination Of circumstances, act for
present and direct end, and when that end is
either gained or lost, they die. They can seldom
be counted upon for more than one Presidential
tenn. The wings lasted three terms, perhaps
four hut the Know Nothings sprang into life
since the election CT Pierce, and are now extinct,
though Pierce is still President: and this, we
Judge, win be the fate of most parties hereafter.
Like militia, they viii be suddenly called out to
and do service; but the battle day over they will
be disbanded, willreturn to their homes, and yoa
shall seek them in vain.
The democratic party appears at first blush to
give the lie to this theory; but it does not. The
democracy, at bottom, have no principles at all.
Their cohesion as party depends solely upon the
spoils. If respectable Chinese we're to ask the
best infOrmed among us-what are the party
principles and doctrines of this democracy, which
has furnished Presidents for the United States
for the last fifty yearsg-the answer would have
10 be- don't know. No one knows The fact
is, the democracy have never had any principles
outside of the natural dogmas of republicanism.
But from time to time other parties have arisen
with illjudged, or dangerous theories the demo-
cracy has anchored itself on the bare rock Of an
tagonism to these novelties and what with the
efforts Of its managers, who are the best politi-
clans in the country by far, and what with the
general feeling Of conservatism with which the
trading classes are imbued, it has usually pre-
vailed at the polls. After 1852, there was no
democratic party; now there is none, 50 to speak;
yet it viii undoubtedly loom up great and strong
in 1860, for the simple reason that the lead
ers-the spoil-hunters, with their admirable tao
tics, their energy, and their unscrupulousness
and the rank and file-namely the conservative
masses Of the country, who don't want to be
troubled by political changes-wil rise from their
obscurity, and call themselves the democratic
party.
The persons who talk Of the strength of the
republican party, and expect it to remain where
it is, like Trinity Church steeple, or still better,
to grow like crop Of wheat, may find them
selves awfuly mistaken some day. The large
popular vote polled for Fremont was a thing of
sequel it may serve to teach philosophy. but
those who expect to use il basis for future po
tical edinces, will come to trouble. Each Presi-
Dental election must be fought on its own basis
ia each one, henceforth, there will be two main
parties-the conservatives and the reformers
and j; is reasonable to expect that on some occa-
sions the latter win prevail But TO discount
1860 in favor Of q " republican party" because
the Northern masses rallied to the side of Ere
mont, is as unwise as it was for poor Fillmore TO
expect to be President. Next year, If the re-
publican leaders go to the polls with their party,
they will probably find it greatly diminished in
strength. They can only hope to meet it again,
if they rally, in 1860, once more under the
name Of Fremont.