The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-17

The Presidency and Presidential Candidates.
TIE Oppositsen asd ths Democracy.
We publish this morning, from one of our
Western exchanges, very earnest, argumenta-
tive and plausible article, in support of the
claims of Col. Fremont as the proper man for
the Presidential candidate of the opposition in
1860. This argument is based upon the remark
able popularity of Fremont, as disclosed by his
splendid run of 1856, from the results of which
it is contended he stands +" in every respect the
foremost man of the opposition political world
Furthermore, says our enthusiastic pleader, lit
was scarcely within the bounds of possibility that
be (Fremont) should be elected in 1856; but
there was not another man, who, Gin his place.,
could have carried half the electoral votes that
he obtained"
Now, conceding all this in behalf OF Fremont
we must not overlook the important fact in re-
ference to Presidential candidates, as in regard
to all other men, that circumstances alter
cases." Thus, the circumstances of 1860, touch
ing the candidate Of the opposition, may be
wholly different from those Of 1856. That a
new state of things will be presented, requiring
some new candidate, is already abundantly mani
fest 1t seems to be understood that
Fremont would be as much dependent
in 1860 as in 1856 upon the isolated vote of
the Northern States. And here the rump of
the Know Nothings would be necessary to Sc
cure any hope of success but who so foolish as
to expect their cooperation, after their confes-
zion that they supported Fillmore in 1856 for
no other purpose than to defeat Fremont?
We think. therefore, from these considera-
tions, and from all the existing aspects of the
political field, that Col Fremont is not the man
for 1860. But if Fremont has ceased to be
times, certainly there. is no availability in any
Of the rest of the outstanding opposition candi-
dates. The nomination of Seward would
speedily reduce the great party which bis
trumpeters suppose are ready to follow him, to
a mere abolition or free soil faction, like that
which supported Hale in 1852, or Van Buren, in
lsis. Mr.. Banks would not do, for his Know
Nothing affiliations are too prominent; Nc
Lean will not answer, because he is too old
nor will Chase or Hale, because they are men of
but one sectional idea-hostility to slavery.
All these men and all other Northern candi-
dates OF the anti-slavery pattern will be I'M
available for 1850, because the Niger, in that
contest, will be overshadowed by other issues Of
a new and more practical character.
On the south side Of Mason and Dixou's line
Mr. Crittcnden looms up into the foreground,
and close behind him stands Senator John Bell,
as leading opposition conservative. But Mr..
Crittenden, we apprehend, is also out of the
question. and also Mr.. Bell, If we would have a
man whose name would be the signal for the
fusion Of all the opposition odds and ends,
North and South. Mr.. Crittenden and Mr.. Bell
were among the most active supporters Of the
Fillmore movement Of 1856; and the supporters
of Fremont in Pennsylvania. Indiana and ILL.,
nois will not forget it. II would be difficult
thing, even at this day, to rally the hard demo-
cracy upon candidate who was an active Van
Buren, campaigner in 1913; and il viii be much
more difficult in 1860 to rally the Fremon; rank
and file upon any prominent Fillmore leader of
1856. Old partisan accounts of this sort can
only be accommodated by some sort Of half way
compromise on both sides; and hence the appa-
rent necessity Of dropping all the hold-over
candidates OF both the republicans and the
rump Of the Know Nothings. and Of nominating
some entirely new man, after the fashion Of the
democracy when they find themselves tied up,
hand and foot, by their old candidates and the
wrangling cliques who support them
But where is the new man who will answer
the necessities Of the opposition in 1907 Upon
whom can Northern republicans, old line wings.
Van Buren, and Silas Wright and Fremont
democrats. radical Germans and conservative
Irishmen. tariff men and free traders, and
Northern and Southern Know Nothings, be
brought 10 coalesceg We have indicated the
man, according TO our understanding of his
position, aniecedents and principles, upon whom
all these odds and ends Of the opposition camps
North and South, may be fused; and General
Simon Cameron, OF Pennsylvania, is the indi-
vidual lie il a central man, republican, but
not an ultra republican, and o man, too, Of
democratic, old line whig and Know Nothing
antecedents and Affiliations, quite sufficient 10
swear by, but not enough TO hurt him any
where. lie IL also q tariff man /: but OF that
moderate Pennsylvania school which is not
without q host Of Disciples as far South as
Georgia. Above all, the late session Of Con.
gress has shown General Cameron 10 be an
eminently conservative man, when Il was gene
rally expected that II would prove him to be
violent Niger worshipping sgitator
We name General Cameron, then as the pro.
per man upon whom TO perfect conservative
Of all the opposition forces II
any Of our contemporaries know Of any new man
more available for 1860 az the opposition
standard bearer why LET them trot him out.
That II all. At all events. let them profit
from the teachings Of the past and from the
wholesome lessons taught them by the demo
cracy. II they would win the Presidency. The