The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-21

Uhs October Elections and their Lesson.
So Ar as we can learn, the democrats have
either carried or nearly carried all the States
which have had elections this October Even
Ohio. which was esteemed a perfectly safe
ard reliable State for the republicans, came
near going over to the democracy. The
returns indicate that the large and enthusias-
tic party which go nearly elected Colo1cl Ere
mont to the Presidency Of the republic has
almost altogether disappeared. has been swept
ont o! existence within few months after that
stupendous manifestation Of its power States,
counties, cities which teemed with ardent repub-
leans last fall now return small sullen demo-
cratic majority, and the republicans do not seem
surprised or shocked at their losses, One does
not hear their voice anywhere. Even the
Trib'iae deserts bleeding Kansas for stocks
The fact illustrates a popularity Of our poll
tics their ephemeral character. In the coun-
tries of Europe political questions have almost a
hereditary significance. They never die out;
generation after generation take them up and
according to the genius Of the people. The
great struggle between the landowner and the
laborer, and the sempiternal contest between
thiBgs old and things new have been absorb
ing to the European voter for hundred years
ard still enjoy undminsbed attractions No
question that could arise would dwarf them in the
eyes Of the intelligent European. Questions of
the moment might attract attention but they
wou'd he coon shaped into the old mould, as
opposition to the Russian war in Eoeland took
The semblance of undue Partially for the Court,
ard sympathy for the Scpoys, in France, is be
coming another name for ultramontane bigotry
There is no possible end or solution to the great
problems of Eu, opeap politics. They arc by their
nature radical. and seem 10 be intended for the
amusement and occupation of generations of
men.
With us, on the contrary, political Issues are
Ike fashions /; We change them year in and year
out aid, out or in, VIC don't care much about
them The greatest trouble with foreign politi-
clans is to be forced to choose between lodging
or committing themselves On all kinds OF impor-
tant questions; the greatest trouble with ours is
to ind questions for which the public will care
deposit ballot. For a few years. vague ab.
stractions about the constitution kept up an ap
rearance Of rival parties; then, after ono or
two spasmodic and unsuccessful, efforts to get up
factions, the tariff supplied us with work to keep
our politicians warm for three or four terms
and, after brief conflict ON the general
issue Of ruin and bankruptcy, the dull aud dis
tant question of the form of labor in the South
came up, and has occupied the minda Of our poll
ticiaps for more than ten years. II only shows
how truly prosperous and happy country this
is when the only question on which our citizens
can manage to divide into parties with any de-
gree or appearance Of earnestncss turns on the
peculiar laws which are to govern the application
Of labor to the agricultural products Of few
Southern States
Such questions, however, may seem to engross
some attention fer time; but let any living and
vital issue arise and they will speedily disappear.
This is what we are now witnessing. The slave-
ry excitement which go nearly elected Prcsi-
dent Of the United States last fall has actually
died out and disappeared, in presence of the ali
sorbipg and overwhelming pressure Of the money
crisis. Men who thought OF niggcrs last year arc
thinking Of dollars and bank notes this and will
not give any attention to the political concerns
of the country until they have made quito certain
that they will not fail, and that their debtors will
pay up. The vote at the elections this year is
unusually small The oaiceholdcrs and their
friends, with few oilers have generally voted
the democratic ticket, Of course; the traders and
substantial citizens generally abstained; and
those who did vote voted for the eide which ap-
peared to promise most peace and quictness.
For the confidence that is felt in the admins
iraton Of James Buchanan has completed the
work which the financial trouble. bcgan-namcly
The disorganzatiou and discrcdtt Of all opposition
parties