The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12


the Isthmus will be frustrated.
The Presidential contest for the year 1860 has
opened with much spirit and further in advance of
the nominations and election than usual. The can
vass may be said to have been opened by Mr.. Crit
tepden in his COvington speech. Senator Bell, who
is still in this city, will, 1t is supposed, upon his
return to Tennessee, make similar demonstrations
there. "a -,,,..t
It is remarked in some Of the Southern newspapers
that the democratic party cannot expect to succeed
without the union Of the entire South, and that by
gone issues will not prove bond OF union. But the
republicans will take care unite the South by the
nomination of Mr.. Seward as their ca1didate-a
measure which has, it is believed, been determined
upon. Should there be three candidates in the field,
it is not improbable that the election would be de-
feated before the people, and hence the Importance
which attaches to the election of members OF the
House of Representatives for the next Congress.
The WashiDaton Union-TAe Hsrald-the
Democra attic Party aud the Administration.
from the Washington Union, July
THK TRIUMPH OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OF
THE DEMOCRArIC PARTY.
We shall not connive at or be party tn the escape
ofthe NETWORK HERALD from itsuntenable positions
in Ference to the triumphs of the administration and
the demoralized torn and shattered condition of the
democratic party" evenas modified by its leading ar
ticle of the 4th inst, which we transfer to our
columns to-day. What we have said and what
the HERALD admits, is, that the successes of the
administration so far have been the solid triumphs
of principle over faction and we now repeat that
such victories always inure to the exclusive benefit
of the democratic party. The results of the last
eight months experience constitute no exception TO
this rule on the contrary, more than in any other
series Of events connected with our political history
has the policy of the party which seeks by all posi-
BILE means strengthen the bonds of the Union and
to cultivate spirit of friendship and confidence
amongst all its members, been indicated; insomuch
that the opposition are utterly demoralized, torn
and shattered" even to the extent of being unable
to arrange a place Of rendezvous, OF departure,
or to agree even upon common destination.
When our cetemporary admits the success OF Mr.
Buchanan's administration upon the vital question
of principle we hold that to follow such admission
by the declaration that the democratic party, whose
faithful representative he is is "tattered and torn
is an impeachment of the good sense and patriotism
of the American people, charging them with either
want of appreciation Of what Is honest in govern
ment or with factous opposition to the President
himself We see no evidence OF the justice of either
of these propositions.
II is true that the administration inherited two
three troublesome questions. We are not disposed to
look into their origin to find fault with those who
have had the charge Of them. They were OF cha
racter essentially difficult to manage the more diff
cult because they were in no proper sense political
in their nature. They had been thrust upon the de-
mocratc party by the fierce demagogues who,
through their agency, bad sought to overthrow and
degrade it. The slavery question had been of near
a half centurys growth. Political traders in the
North with view Of enisting sectional preiudices,
and thereby commanding the federal off ,es through
Northern msjorities, had everywhere proclaimed
that IL was the purpose OF the South to force slavery
into the public Territories, even up TO the Canadian
possessions. This was Mr.. Stewards warning at Co
iumbus, Ohio. The democratic party had taken the
ground that the people of the place should settle
such matters in their own way In practical point
of view this principle Of adjustment gave all advan
tages to the North; for the great avenues of emf
grafton TO the West were filed by free State men.
But the principle was adopted because 1t just,
because II constitutional, because IL simply pro-
posed that the people should govern themselves.
Yet II is manifest that in enforcing even such a
principle In the midst Of great sectional excitement,
which could not fail to impair the strength of the
democratic party, more or less difficulty would be
encountered. II was in meeting and overcoming
these difficulties, in great degree, that the Presi-
dent achieved signal triumph, in reference TO
which the HsRAlp and ourselves agree.
Now, what we claim is that these successes have
greatly strengthened the democratic party; else,
we see the present and future, they not victo-
ries, but practical defeats.
In kindred way, on former occasions, In which
the HERALD performed distinguished part, we had
met and put down detection In the democratic ranks
upon the Wilrnot proviso and again the excitement
about the fugitive slave law in 1850, and the
pervadiDg stampede OF 1854 on the repeal Of the
Missouri compromise and the enactment OF the
Kansas law. In truth these were steps leading
upwards 10 the eliminating follies Of 1878.
We Fever should overlook the fact, especially
when new administration comes into power, that
there are many members OF Congress who, like fruit
picked from the popular tree before IL Is fully ripe,
require good deal Of brushing and rubbing to give
them even the appearance Of maturity and perfec-
ton. There are Others again who have been so
much in the public service not clearly 10 under
stand whether they belong to the State or the State
belongs 10 them. These constitute always adiflicut
people 90 get along with, and 1t IL only now and
then. great questions, that II Is possible TO adj
minister TO them those depletive remedies which
alone are of any value. Precisely these political
diseases Mr.. Buchanan had 60 prescribe for in meet
ing the first democratic Congress under his Presi-
dency; and IL must be confessed, when rccollect
the healthy action of the legislative system for the
last month of the session. IL will be hardly possible
20 sustain an objection To the medicine admins
tered
The difference upon political matters between the
HERALD and the Union Is ths:--We support demo
cratic principles and organizations; the HERALD
supports democratic principles and Is quite indifer
ent to organizations. The HERALDs position Is like
one who hears, praises, but refuses TO pay the
preacher; like saying an act is nobly performed but
denying credit 20 the performer; In fact, ike main
tanning the justice Of great principle IN govern
ment, but insisting that hereafter justice win he
showered upon us Ike rain without human agency.
In the army we reward high deeds by promotion; In
the pulpit od in all the professions and relations Of
life, the same rule prevails; and we would carry u
into politics Besides political organizations consti.
tute a material part Of the machinery OF govern
ment, and, as the democracy are the only reliable
party-the only national, comprehensive patriotic
party-we think IL eminently fit and proper that
great national journal like the HERALD should be the
defender in a truthful way OF democratic organiza-
tons.-at least, not mark them IA decayed and dis
credited in the midst of their robust health energy
and power.
Upon the subject Of the possible consolidation of
the opposition, we beg 90 remind the HsRALD Of the
events running through the eight years preceding
election of Mr.. Buchanan when the slavery ques-
ton" was not only open hut absorbed every other,
and 20 ask, now that negToism seems 10 be fairly
crushed out upon what principle our contemporary Il
able 10 anticipate union Of the forces Of the oppo-
f,~t l,.s, ofcf1
refers 10 the money question:" taking its lessons
from The universal prostration OF 1910, when every
branch of business was depressed, and about three
fomths Of the mercantile community were clamorous
fer the intervention of the government 10 relieve
them Of their obligations, and thinks IL Ia possible
that the opposition may open the canvass OF 1850
upon that issue At least there should he some par.
alel between the condition OF the country now and
in ls40 in order 30 Justify the HERALD's conclu-
sions. Besides in ls40 under the leadership OF the
gallant Clay, and supported by q powerful and pct