The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-27

the uochs anu nuruots
The Recent and Present eeaxe Of Earties.
There is something remarkable in the re-
cent and present state of parties IN this coun-
try. 1t is noteworthy that they took their dis
tinctive form at the close Of Mr.. Monroe's ad-
ministration-that time of .pEgatory to the
politician and the political trader. The close
of the war inaueurated breathless calm both
here and in Europe. The Congress of Vienna
in 1915 settled all questions by the supreme
power Of might. Political institutions and
chiefs, territorial claims and conflicts, personal
dignities and precedence came under the sta
tRtes of Vienna and were settled and fore
closed. This was the exercise for the time be-
ing of the highest authority-an authority
that had power to exact obedience to its COM
mands. 1t obliterated from the face of Eu
rope, to the utmost possible degree, all traces
of the Napoleons, and it introduced Q comb
nation of all the leading States, by which de-
mocracy and republicanism, and all monarch
cal illegitimacy, were utterly prescribed.
Peace-a long forty years peace-iollowed.
Meanwhile, France had foundered, overthrow
ing the imbecile family placed upon the throne
by the sovereigns, and re.established another
branch of her royal walters in the person of
Louis Philippe. But the peace of Europe was
maintained. The absorption of Poland did
not disturb 1.-THE re-establishment of the
Napoeons did not disturb 1.-THE total disre-
gard Of the treaty of Vienna by all the lead
ing parties to that compact, did not disturb it.
Peace had it's foundation for once, to some
extent, in trade trade and commerce and
money and humanity had come up and must
be heard--and they we're heard.
Suddenly we had the Russian war-it was the
the British Cabinet without efecsing it's over
throw-it was the only war under which the
integrity of British commerce and the vitality
of her manufactures could have been man
tanned 1T was the only war which could be
carried on by the politicians; and SO that Cabi-
net has been sustained. But the forty years
peace in Europe has been broken-that charm
no longer exists. The field is open, and the clash
of arms may be counted on as certain con-
sequence of the state Of positive disorganiza-
ton that exists among the chief continental
cabinets.
1t is not little remarkable, indeed, that in
the political affairs of the United States-in the
the shocking state Of disorganiz and de-
moralization of the wings and the democrats =
there is to be found a striking analogy to the
chief movements of the States of Europe within
the period alluded to. The great disturbances
in reference to the recharter Of the bank, and
existence Of the federal Union was severely
tried, correspond almost literally to the .ftrore
on the other side when Russia took upon her.
self the utter obliteration of the kingdom Of
Poland, in violation OF her covenants entered
into sixteen years before. So, again, the revo-
ordinary significance to all the world--was
contemporary with the treason Of the Van Bu-
reDs in this country, and the substantial in
duction OF abolitionism as an active and for
midable element in American poll tics.
The European events to which we have re-
the old parties and in the Inauguration of new
ones, with new motives of action new objects
to be gained, and new associations to be main
tanned. Europe is in condition Of ABSOLUTE
disintegration, and if we transfer the reflections
just made upon the state Of governments
upon that side of the water, to the state of
parties on this, we shall have correct idea Of
our own political condition. The reflections
suggested by this state of things are not at ell
creditable to American politics. Europe has
actually advanced, in spite of her absolutism
the work of free government. England is ra-
pidly removing all the barriers to popular
elective rights. France, in the very act OF
restoring Napoleon, has established an example
fatal to monarchy. While these signs betoken
he regeneration of Europe, the American peo-
lie have been taking to their councils a brood
If abolitionists and domestic traitors who
threaten destroy the republic.
The rise Of the independent press has been
utterly fatal to the politicians and to parties Of
this country. Its first effect was the complete de-
molitioD OF the mere party press, and ultima, I
ly the release of the public mind from all Oh
legations to party. The independent press here
and in England is an institution second only
to that of the government itself. AS an edu-
cational system, it stands foremost of all; as a
political instructor it is wholly unrivalled: as
a democratic agency it is more potent than
parties, politicians, and schools, and minist RS,
and laws, and all the learned professions and
professors combined. 1t has released the peo-
pie of the United States from party; raised the
people of England from ignorance; it has
licked the popular ear in France, Spain, Ger
many, Italy and Hungary, and will one OF
bese days pour into it its lessons of wisdom and
TX the requirements OF republicanism in those
countries.
THE MAINE LIQUOR LAw--THE WAY 1T
STANDS BEFORE THE CoURTs.--Hon. f. c. De-
svan, President of the State Temperance So
ciety, in reference to the trials of the consttu-
tionality of the Liquor law saws