The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-11
The Mennness OF American Poiitieians-ssen'
scott the Peoples Candidate.


change Of moment
The Meanness OF American Poiiticians-t;en. !
scott tho Peoples Candidate.
II has long been standing accusation OF Flu
ropcan bookmakers and journalists that the
American people were mean; that we could do
nothing except in superficial way; that nobody
read an American book or used an American
machine or adopted an American invention, or
relied upon anything American in any way.
We have lived all this down. We have taught
Europe that for quckness Of conception, rapid
" of execution, and thoroughness Of adaptation,
no people in the world can exceed US; and to-
day TO call thing American is to give ii the ac
cepted stamp, and the clear ring Of true
metal. But all that Europeans have said of our
people. our institutions and our works. falls far
short Of the truth in expressing the despicable
mcanncss Of our politicians. They talk Of want
ne great political issues for the purpose Of bring
ing out the enthusiasm of the people, when lip SER
vice is their only loyalty to principles and bargain
ing for place and spoils their only bond Of adhe
sion TO great leaders Through all the varied forms
OF political machinery, from primary elections
the same scene Of cheating, lying, brow beating
and bargain making, interspersed with no little
shoulder hitting, and an occasional pistol shot
II is by such men, and such mean motives, that
candidates for every Office are brought forward,
and as natural consequence, 'wit, high birth,
yigor Of bone, desert in service have no place
in their regard II is such Vaccinations as theirs
Il -, &c tba GalJ
Of public service and give rise to the oft repeated
assertion that republics are ungrateful
But the people, whenever the opportunity is
presented TO them, have always shown that they
are not ungratcful, and that "vigor Of bone"
and desert in service" hold a high place in
their regard. In every presidential contest that
this country has witnessed the personal qualities
and antecedents OF the candidates have been far
more powerful in producing enthusiasm in the
popular mind than all the "great issues that
ever were mustered The national bank, protec-
ton TO home industry, and internal improvement
que stions paled before the exploits of Jackson in
border warfare and the victory of New Orleans.
Tippecanoe and the battle of the Thames routed
the issues of low tariff and Sub-treasury in 1910,
anu AltO anu Dutud Nl-tN UNcEtuItW tue
horse, foot and dragons of democratic party
issues in ls4S. If a candidate can prove by the
record of the nation that he has always been q
national man, laboring. fighting, negotiating for
the good Of the whole country, he comes home
at once to the hearts of the people, and his
name and exploits rouses their enthusiasm in his
behalf
This is the position in which General Scott
now stands before the country. When his name
was used before il was brought forward as the
last resort by a knotof disappointed and de-
feated politicians, who thus sought to shield
themselves from merited humiliation. But the
trick was too transparent, and they failed. Now
the case is different his name is brought for
ward by his friends as the candidate of the peo-
pie, and the Boston Post states that movement
is on foot for the organization Of political clubs
in various localities, bringing forward the name
of Winfield Scott for the Presidency in 1860,
and 1t adds that ample funds are provided for the
work. The Nashville (Tenn.) Banner states the
arguments in favor Of this movement with con-
csencss and precision. These are its words
There is, however feature In this movement that
commands itself favoraby TO the consideration of the
publc originates Win the people, and its Will
~, end TO the abomnabe caucus system that 80
unhapply prevails In our country The formation OF
Scott clubs carries Us back TO the times OF Henry Clay
when the people met together and to1e and drec
ton 10 political Affairs. How different the at this
day few politicians meet together and take into their
hands the that justly belongs 10 tho people
They nominate candidates without reference TO the
wih"s q the masses and impose upon them the neces
siiy q choosing between candidates neither o whom is
acceptable.
There IL the gist OF the whole question. BY
the system Of caucus and convention manage
mcnt, which is entirely in the hands Of set Of
politicians, whose meanness the people know
and despise. the people are cheated out Of their
rights and forced to choose between candidates
for neither Of which they care pin. This con-
vcntion thimble rigging system is worn thread
bare and should be cast aside. We must 90
back 10 the times Of Andrew Jackson and Harry
Clay, "when the people met together and gave
tone and direction TO political affairs" Let the
friends Of General Scott all over the country
move In the matter. Let them form Scott
clubs. and Lundy's Lane companies. and Cerro
Gordo bat,alions, and bring their weight TO bear
upon the affairs Of the nation. They must not
wait till some cheating convention gives them
the cue, and throngs Of present or expcctant
offcebcldcrs 60 TO work at the dull routine Of
drumming up whiskey barrel enthusiasm and
sham rank and file. SCOTS name will carry the
country by storm If presented by the people
To the exclusion of the politicians
THE CHINESE TRgATrEs.-In another column
will be found an interesting letter from our St
Petersburg correspondent giving some particu-
lars Of the treaty concluded between Russia aud
china A. xau antsrtp.fad Az. a.v.ut...~. -.