The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-07-09
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.
[Rror. the New York HERALD

Az men, of all sections and all parties, we
believe, entertain the presentment that the
campaign for The next Presidendcy will be
the most remarkable political struggle, and
the most important In its general results, OF
any Presidential contest of the last half cen
fury. Old parties and party issues have mel
ted away-ne~ parties and principles are in
process of formations; but as yet no party for
shape. There are two or three well estab-
lished points, however, from which we may
draw some profitable conclusion to all parties
concerned. And thus let us proceed to bust
ness. 81, a.. 9. ........ .-...
We have, heretofore, shown from the re-
cords that tho democratic party, since the
year 1886, have been in popular minority
in the Union. When the opposition united
against them in 1910 the astonished democra-
cy were borne down as.by an avalanche; 10
1874 they carried Mr.. Polk, in consequence
of the diversion of the opposition balance Of
power from Clay to Birney; in ls4s they
were beaten; in 1852, the mission of the
wing party having been fulfilled, il was
FILTERED away. and it disappeared like the
morning clouds from the mountains. The
year 1853, however betrayed the fact that the
vote cast for Pierce was democratic delu.
sion. In 1854 the popular elections dis
closed the still more unwelcome truth that
the opposition forces throughout the country
were largely in the ascendancy; and in 1856,
although the democracy contrived to secure
the election of Mr.. Buchanan, the record
shows that it was against a popular majority
of nearly four hund,ed thousand votes. .
And how stands the matter, now! I'm
questionably the opposition forces still com
mand an overwhelming popular majority Of
the Unon--a majority so decisive that, with
proper handling of their cards, they may
not only carry the next House of Represents
tiyes, but the Presidential succession, with
the force of a hurricane. The remains OF
the regular democratic party are now in a
more crippled and emacated condition than
at any time since the organization of the par
ty under Gen. Jackson. Their leaders, in
stead of harmonzing upon common object,
are divided upon selfish schemes and in.
trigues; aud consequently the rank and file, in
stead presenting bold and united front,
present us the melancholy scene of beaten,
disorganized and retreatng army.
The administration has labored faithfully
to restore order and union in the camp; but
the factious leaders and demagogues of the
party, during the late session of Congress,
in a spirit of reckless folly and stupidity for
which we cannot account upon any basis Of
honesty or patriotism, would have destHbed
the administration itself-the very last hope
of the party-but for the Intervention Of
some patriotic men from the opposition side
upon this measure, that measure, and the
other. But though The administration and
its policy have thus been indicated and car
ried through by opposition votes, the section
al and factious dscords engendered in the
democratic camp at Washington have been
diffused, like n contagious disease, through
out the country, so that at this juncture there
is scarcely State in the Union in which the
late great democratic party can hold up its
head with any degree OF courage, confidence
or hope. .- .,. f.... .......... .......
At this gloomy crisis in the fortunes of
the democracy we see that the mony ques-
ton, in its most comprehensive bearings and
in all its ramifications, is rapidly becoming
the paramount issue before the people,
And here, too, a combination of causes and a
chapter of accidents, over which Mr. Buch-
anan's administration has no control, and for
which it can be charged with no responsible
ty, are operating, and will operate, to
strengthen and soldify the opposition move
ments for the succession. Mr.. Buchanan has
substantially settled the Kansas imbroglio;
but il was a legacy which, even in its settle
ment, has aggravated, rather than healed, the
party disorders which it had previously ere
ated in the North and West, The President
had no alternative than the Straightforward
course which he adopted and pursued; but
the consequences were inevitable. Nor
could he, in view of his constitutional res
possibilities, and his representative character
rs the head Of n just and honest people, pur-
sue any other course than that which he has
pursued concerning the Walker ilibustcrs;
and yet this policy has resulted in strengthen
ing the hands of the reckless party disorgani-
GERS of the South.
AT this crisis, then, and in the demoralzed
condition we have described, The democracy
stand; and how, then, are they to resist the
additional pressure ofihe increased govern
ment expenditures-the Treasury notes and
loans-for which they will be held accounta-
BILE! We all know that in regard TO these
things the administration has had no alterna-
tive; but we know, too, that the party repre-
senting the administration will be held to
answer for them. In this connection, from
all the facts rccited, and from all the signs Of
the times, the union Of the opposition 10
1860 upon practical candidate, and the
practical issue Of retrenchment and reform,
will sweep the country like tornado. The
only chances for the democracy are in the
great events which may arise and in the new