The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-25
Our Political Parties md the Next Presidency.
A RakIng Fire from Gen. F0Ote.


We give to our readers this morning the cream
Of a long and comprehensive speech lately de-
livered in Mississippi by Gen. Henry 5. Footc
on the political issues and parties Of the day and
he next Presidency, the perusal Of which cannot
fail, more or less, to be edifying to thinking men
Of all parties, sections and factions
Gen. Foote is "a returned Californian" In
1850 in the United States Senate he did good
service in behalf Of the great Compromise mea-
nrcs Of Mr.. Clay. His course, therefore, espe-
cially in the matter of the admission Of Califor-
mia as free State. incensed the secessionists Of
his own State Constituting the bulk Of the de-
mocratic party against him. The consequence
was the formation of Union party in Mississip-
nj. which nominated Gen. Foote for Governor
and elected him by large majority, just as Mr..
Cobb upon the same issue Of union or disunion,
and by similar organization, was elected the
same year (ls5D Governor Of Georgia. But
after these and other victories these Southern
Union organizations were dissolved, and the de-
mocrats and the opposition returned to their old
lines of party demarcation. The consequence,
from the preponderance Of the secession element
in the democratic camp Of Mississippi. was the
overthrow Of Gen. Foote as q candidate for re-
election to the United States Senate. whercupon
the indignant and Disguised General--indignant
ai his own party, and Disguised with poor Pierce
pulled up stakes and moved out TO California.
shortly after bis arrival in California, the won
derful uprising and astonishing strength Of the
mysterious Know Nothing party startled the
whole country, and cut loose host Of aspiring,
but deluded old whig and democratic politicians
from their moorings. Among them General
Foote was carried off into the Know Nothing
camp. and from the peculiar division Of parties
and factions a. one time in California there was
pretty fair prospect for his election 10 the Sc
rats ON that new and wonderful State. But
av go.ln opportunity slipped away. the Cali
.,.iia democrats returned to their undsputcd
supremacy. and the Know Nothing party was re-
| duced 10 hopeless outside faction. Thus, In
1856, Il we are not mistaken, General Foote
came back to the democracy, and supported Mr.
Buchanan for the Presidency; but IL now appears
that Foote, on account Of the Kansas question. Il
completely adrif, a member Of no existing 20
litcal party. hut an independent politician upon
his own hook, in favor Of an independent PEG
ple's movement for the next Presidency In de
fance and In contempt Of all party caucus ma
| chinery and packed conventions Of party jug
glcrs.
With this explanation our readers will readily
comprehend the present peculiar views Of Gen
Foote concerning Kansas. the administration, the
democracy aud the Charleston Convention ap
i pointed for 1850. lie believes tha, the admins
lration upon Kansas affairs has been playing
into the hands Of the Southern frc-eating seces
sion leaders Of the democracy, bic bitterest enc
| mics II IL not necessary here 10 enter into an
| argument against this foolish conccit Let il
| suffice that Mr.. Douglas, against whom Gen
| Foae supposes the vengeance Of the admnstra-
ton TO be especially ievelled, Is quite favaite
with The Southern fre-eaters and that II is doubt
less their purpose to use him to the prejudice o.
the administration as far rs possible. We have
before us fragment Of n late speech Of Senator
Brown. "a regular rcd hot Mississippi fre-cater.
In which he says ,hat Douglas lis giant In 10
tcllect giant in will, giant In eloquence, .
giant 10 everything that makes mp the character
istics Of q great man, and hope he may thrash
abolition Lincoln out Of his boots"
This Is quite equal TO the euiogium Of Gen