The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-25
NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JUNE rs, 1855

the expenditures and liabilities of the Treasury
from the party and administration in power.
In this view, it is most unfortunate thing for
the demoralized democracy that, at this crisis
of general depression and stagnation in all the
channels Of trade-at this time, when our peO-
pie of all pursuits are struggling and economic
ing to lift their heads again above water, the
expenses and obligations Of the government, and
of the peace establishment, should be increased
to the alarming war aggregate of eighty mil
lions year. We may prove that the admins
tratiOn has had neither the discretion nor the
power to prevent this state of things; but among
four or FIVE millions of voters, we say that the
bard, naked facts and figures will still be the
paramount issue.
We conclude, then, from the Douglas-K Kansas
disafFection in the Northern democratic camp,
from the fre-esting and ilibustering dissensions
in the Southern camp, and from the heavy
government expenditures, Treasury note issues
and loans for the current and ensuing fiscal
years, that the chances are decidedly in favor
Of an opposition majority in the next House Of
Representatives. But this will not determine
the campaign of 1860. In the interval Kansas
will have been admitted into the Union, and as
free State, and the last remnant of that dirty
rag of agitation will thus be consumed. The
money question will be the predominant issue ;
for already it must be conceded that the Nor
mon question, the ilibustering question, and
the Central American imbroglio, are as good as
settled and done for.
But what of the money question: In the in
terval to 1860, trade and business may revive
and flourish, and the revenues from the customs
may again be lifted up to fifty or sixty millions
a year. while the regular expenditures may be
retrenched to forty. Thus the government debts
and obligations incurred may be cancelled, and
the administration in 1860 may be able to chow
a clean balance sheet and satisfactory schedule
of retrenchment and reform.
In consideration of these desirable results an
opposition majority in the popular branch of
the next Congress will be rather an advantage
than drawback to the administration and the
democracy. 1t is to the opposition minority
that the administration is indebted for the sue
GEES of all its prominent measures of the late
session, and therefore no fears need be enter
tanned Of an opposition majority. They will be
responsible for defeating the good measures Of
the administration, as they will be responsible
for any bad measures they may pass, and for
any excessive and burdensome appropriations.
Next, it must not be forgotten that while the
tack of compromising an opposition majority in
the House of Representatives will be compare
lively easy, the work of combining the various
opposition factions and sections upon single
Presidential candidate will be very difficult
undertaking.
And 60, while we concede the chances for the
next Congress as decidedly in favor of the op.
position, we hold that the chances for scrub
race for the next Presidency have never been
80 good since 1924, or since the opposition
scrub race sgainst Martin Van Buren, in 1886.
When the two great parties of the country are
cut up into Presidential factions and cliques, as
at present, all the probabilities are In favor Of
scrub race.