The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-01

s0ssnlities-PerAOdical Violence.
Every four years the politics Of the country
become exacerbated and ferocious AT the very
moment when the press should be most wise, most
fair and most considerable, it grows wild and
rabid, and welcomes to its columns the most vi
Imperative assaults.
The politicians of the country appear to be
under similar excitement, and do not cool down
even in November. Perhaps the climate, and
the hot weather. and the customary beverages OF
our excitable countrymen, have something to do
with it, and if SO it would be capital idea to
have all our electioneering and voting come off
about February or March. The previous SHOWS
and ice, and the impassability of the streets,
would have decided effect on the most fiery of
our patriotic electioneerers
But at all events there is no necessity for the
vile personality which prevails to such an extent
at our Presidential elections. During the time of
De Witt Clinton, certainly the greatest and wsest
Governor we ever had in this State, an attack
was made by New York paper on the character
of General Jackson's wife, for the purpose Of
damaging him. The General, in all the trials and
difficulties of his career, never felt blow 50
keenly as this. His friend Governor Clinton SYM
pathized with him deeply, and in message
which he sent the Legislature, he animadverted
severely upon the spirit which dictated such fe-
rocious assaults But no Clinton lives to rebuke
it now.
The elective franchise is but another name for
unbounded license of speech, and the ballot box
the receptacle of printed curses.
We owe much of this decline in the public
taste to the influence Of certain journals amongst
us, whose vocabulary contains objurgations and
monosyllabic vnlgarisms Of the lowest order. If
the mild and thoughtful poet Of the Post should
breathe an opinion unpleasant to the vegetarian
philosopher of the Tribune, the answer is, "You
lie, you william, you lie!'
If the dapper little Lieutenant Governor
should give offence by any Of his smooth and
sleek combinations at Albany, the charge of vii
lany is at once put forth against him, with the
most unkind illusions to the littleness of the
stature Of the inquisitive modern Zaccheus
When Nh. Fillmore was honored with public
reception, well meant, If it was not overwhelming
we find journal Of the school we have men,
toned, using its columns to abuse and falsify the
whole proceedings. and to bring into ridicule
highly respectable man and citizen.
Now that Col Fremont has suddenly become a
distinguished candidate for the Presidency and
every step seems bringing him nearer to the
White House, wholesale lie about the "woolly
horse" has become the staple Of the opposition !;
his private life, and the circumstances of a
romantic marriage are paraded before the pub
lie and when the balcony of his house fell down,
under the weight,of the admiring crowds, yell
of delight was sent up by the blackguards who
had nothing else to Offer"
Even Mr.. Buchanan does not escape the atten-
ton Of these retailers Of personality His bachelor
habits and his recent drinking lager bier at Lam
caster with his German friends, have not been
allowed to pass nnassailed.
What has all this to do with the capacity,
public services and real emnence of our distin-
guished men?
Let the canvass be conducted fairly and honor
ably. We do our country no credit by initiating
the language or adopting the manners Of foul
mouthed editors. To playful wit We have no
objections; in an exposure of inconsistency there
can be no harm; in an examination Of public
measures there is no impropriety; but we object
to the base practses which are grown 50 general,
Of using the weapons of gross personality against
all who come before the American people as can
didates for their highest fayors. When Governor
Marcy's charge for patching bis pantaloons was
made known at the Office oil Thurlow Weed, and
put Immediately forth in q handful, as WIS the
fashion in those days, it was thought bis ruin was
secured! II turned out quite the contrary. He
was elected Governor without a why or a where
fore. The patch was a strengthening plaster.
Let the "rummagers " in dirty clothes shut up
their baskets. 1t is of no use.