The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-20


either the politicians or the people. Two Of the
remaining three-Messrs. Fillmore and Buchanan
are graduates of the school OF old fogyism.
Both have made their way upward by the mere
force Of party arrangements To cliques and par
tisans they owe everything and they will not be
discharged from the obligation if either should be
elected.
1t is really ludicrous to thdAk how such pro-
minent, political leaders are manufactured. On
a close examination, very few are found to be
men Of genius few are men Of talent-they do
not possess original minds-they have no re-
sources of education, no creative p0wer-they
are lay figures, clothed by the good nature of
the public with official robes, which do not fit
them and are very soon in tatters. Let us see
how the thing is done.
We begin then, by observing that some Young
man has early abandoned an Improbable employ
ment, given up some mechanical pursuit, or, hav-
ing put his hand to the plough, has looked hack
He wishes to get his living some other way. He
enters the Office of some pettifogger, perhaps, and
takes small cases in the Justices Court Although
admitted to practice, he finds that he is likely to
Live without causes and die withest effects"
He then mingies with the primary meetings gets
placed upon committee, and seeks to become q
village Hampden. After q few years Of strug-
Cling, after having been delegate to half a
dozen conventions, after agreeing to 50 for some
one else's nomination. upon the condition that bis
own is to follow, he is sent to the Assembly, ex-
tends his acquaintance, and learns what is the
value of being with the ms, and the disadvantage
| Of being with the outs. He sends documents
home to the leading farmers, or pushes
| through some little bill for new turnpike
| road, or proposes an alteration In
| town line, aud soon finds himself ready
| to run for Congress. Here the tactics of the
| aspirant are met with the ascendant power of
committees Any lawyer may get to the Assem-
| bly,: but seat in Congress leads to general fame
and is the gift of those who will not part with it
| for a trife. Once there, he makes a bold push
for position. either by ready defamation or usu-
/ ally by close attention to the business of the
| House From this, he returns to his own home,
| to become the centre of clique and the favo-
rite Of committees, who, finding they have at
last obtained the right material, begin to work il
up in proper shape. and look forward to the day
when. this accomplished, they may enjoy the
triumph and partake the gale" After this
the steps are easy. Prominent Offices are secured,
high Offices are run for; possibly translation to
Washington comes next, or post OF honor
abroad Or, finally, when the partizan spirit is
hot enaogh and the inducements held out are
strong enough. there is general uprising Of
committees, an uproar Of county newspapers,
close packing Of delegates, and the clQues pre-
sent the astonished nation with regular cand-
date ier the Presidency. We have had enough
of candidates manufactured in this way.
Once in power such men reflect back what
they can spare 90 those who have elevated them.
The committee men, the editors, the delegates
who have pushed item along during this long pc
Rod call for their reTard, and the proud and rich
and pompous old fellows who have condescended
to join in this last move, give their sage advice,
are ready 10 enter the Cabinet, or so abroad, or
iii the custom houses and post Offices.
We thus perceive how the abuses Of our gov
eminent are perpetuated by this routine Of
cliques. Of nominations. and Of elections. We see
plainly enough that there Is not the slightest
hope of our return to more republican, more
yirtuous and q more prosperous state Of things,
unless we break up, root and branch, the whole
system by which this country is managed and
BETRAYED. And the whole Of this machinery il
worked by a very few persons, and millions Of
intelligent frcemen become their tools.
With whatever motives either Mr.. Buchanan or
Mr.. Fillmore might enter upon the duties Of the
Office. they could not escape their liabilities
Nothing would b. much changed. Old fogyiTn
would still rule 10 the Navy and War Depart
ments; the same old drowsy clerks would sleep at
their desks: the same old fossils would be placed
in the Cabinet; the same old clothes men sent
abroad the same illegal contracts granted to
fayorites the same grants Of lands made TO rail-
way politicians
II is time the republic was freed from the
blighting influences Of political management and
Me shackles Of cliques No public man, be
his merit what II may is usually considered as
before the public unless be has gone through
system Of training. and passed through the va
rious processes Of sweating, bleeding and weigh
ing at the pleasure Of those who take him in
hand. American political life seems to be de-
pendent on a mere system Of routine, and
nothing short Of an uprising Of the people can
reverse It's absurdity. When great man comes
Unexpectedly into the field, the old operators are
alarmed at the disturbance Of their wires they
double their precautions and recharge their bat
tcries by increasing the quantity Of acid.
viii the people Of the United States sanction
this any longer! II il not time that an infusion
Of fresh and healthy blood was impaired to the
body politic' will the young men Of the conn
try-the new generation submit to this per-
pc,uation Of the reign Of committees and the
a-cendency Of antiquated folly? Are they, to-;
to grow gray before they can hope to rise. Or W
| they not now when ~ fortunate aud 50 memors-
rsblo an opportunity offers to overthrow this old
- o....t .r-tnr, ri.o tnn.- .zht and 10 (.