The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-24

CHEyAILER WEBB AND THE OPPOSITION CANDI-
DATE FOR ls6O-Like Buckingham, the Cheva-
lier Webb "grows circImspect" A few weeks
ago he would hear of nothing and talk of nothing
but W. H. Seward, IS the fixed positive and in
evi'able candidate of the republicans for the next
Presidency. Now the Cheyaier tells us that
"tbere is much talk among some of our cotempo-
raries both near and distant, respecting the can
ddate to be run by the opposition to the
nominee Of the Charleston Convention" but that
the Chevalicr Webb cannot join in this talk, in.
asmuch as it sis premature and mischievous."
Enlarging upon this new idea concerning the
republican party, the Cheyalier thus philoso-
phises:-
II is TO that the party has yet taken
its FINAL cast, lis compete deveopement That which
gives IL liz life and strength is the spirit within 1.-THE
spirit Of opposition to the innovations OF siavcrybut the
precise form in which that spirit TO manifest ITSELF and
the particular agencies with which it Is TO work. yet
main 10 he evolved. Much will depend upon the move.
inenis q: our democratic opponents. The pro very
spirit which has 90, possession Of them allows
rest they will surely he forced to ana
vanccd positions, and We must not only expect but he
prepared 10 meet them at points which were dream
ed OF when the Philadelphia platform formed Again
much viii depend upon the disposition Of those, North
and South, who sincerely hostile to the democracy
and yet have never operated with the republicans
There is undoubtedly certain mutual disrust, and
also certain mutual affinity, between these enemies OF
the present rule and ourselves. No man say which
will gain 1860 apprenticeship attraction the repu
sion In Of the relations and OF the desra
beness OF uniting all every quarter Of the land.
are opposed TO federal popagandsm Of slavery, il is IN
crnhcnt upo3 the republican party 10 manifest liberal
and concatofy spirit as Is possible without njaring
their organization.
Here we have it virtually admitted that Mr.
Seward, when weighed in the balances, may be
found wanting-that bis Rochester manifesto
was little too strong and little too fast as a
Presidential experiment-that the republican
party is in a transition state, and has not yet
taken ats final cast"-that sits precise form"
for 1860, and "the particular agencies with which
il is to work, yet remain TO be evolved This
is all very good and very true; but what is the
meaning of these new opinions on the part of the
Chevalier Webb. Has he really turned the cold
shoulder upon his great benefactor so soon, or is
be only preparing the way for new tack on the
part Of Mr.. Seward HIMSELF We suspect that
the Chevaler still sticks to his champion. and il
only counselling the suspension of public opinion
upon the question of q candidate, in order to
work the wires Of the republican party for Mr..
Seward without interruption.
In this view Of the case We cannot agree with
our cautious Wall street contemporary, that the
present discussion of the question of the opposi-
ton candidate for 1860 is premature and
mschevous." On the other hand we hold that
the more this question of candidate is discussed
and agitated among tn newspapers and the
people of all parties, the better will be the re-
suits in behalf'of Presidential campaign. the
reconstruction ofparties and the nomination of
candidates upon tho practical exigencics and
necessities ofthe country Holding this opinion,
and believing that the time has fully come for
the largest liberty Of debate on all sides in refe
renee TO the Presidential candidate for the sue
ccssisn Of the democracy and the opposition. we
shall, at all events, do our bcs. TO keep up The
fire. II i only Your gambling aud schcming
csuc' ! and lobby politicians who, upon such
m ssuc, prefer to work In the dark
Lorrs NArorEoS's FINGER MAREs ~ 81. Do
NfNGo-Tt will be seen by the INDIGNANT nro-