The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-01

ment in rates, while engagements were moderate.
The Administration, Congress, and the Demo-
cratic Party.
We have at Washington democratic admi-
nistration, good and true; but where is the
democratic party? Destroyed in the North, and
divided in the South into half dozen Presiden-
,ial cliques. Where, next, is that powerful party
representation which was carried under the wing
ofMr. Buchanan's popularity into this Congress!
With its first organization in December, 1857,
had we not every reason to expect that between
the broad and liberal conservative policy laid
down by the new President, and the powerful
numerical majority representing his administra-
ton in both houses, there would be that "happy
Accord which could not fail to consolidate the
rank and file of the party? And how have these
expectations been defeated? Simply through
the conflicting schemes, intrigues and factious
movements Of ambitious and INSCRIPTIONS poll
ticians, to compass the honors and emoluments,
the spoils and plumber Of the succession.
This disorganizing game was commenced with
the very first days proceedings Of the last ses-
sion; and very soon thereafter such sectional and
factious OBJECTIONS were disclosed as to satisfy
the opposition that their most powerful allies for
1860 against the administration and against the
democratic party were among the leaders of the
democratic camp. Thus, upon the Kansas
question, the flibuster question, the army
appropriations, the Utah question, and
other questions, the measures Of the ad-
ministration at the last session would have fallen
through but for the patriotic assistance secured
from the opposition side. Practically, the demo-
cratic majority in the House and in the Senate
was, from the first week Of this Congress, reduced
to minority, and SO it has continued to this
day. From the very moment when, through the
policy indicated in Mr.. Buchanan's Cabinet and
inaugural, it was manifest that he intended to be
the head of his administration, these mischievous
plots to rule or ruin him were contrived. The
treacheries and the OBJECTIONS Of the last session
were thus but the developments of premeditated
combinations. The divisions and discords among
ripened fruits Of these conspiracies.
Upon the understanding that nothing is to be
made of this administration, this leader, that and
the other have ignored it, and turned their whole
attention and directed all their movements to the
game of the jugglers for the Charleston Conven-
ton. Thus the administration has been left with
out party in Congress, and thus the party
throughout the country has been torn to pieces
Thus, in all probability, the democracy have
lost the last chance of the next House of Repre-
sentatives, and have thrown away the last chance
for the next Presidency Certainly there is no
other hope for them than the common rallying
point of the administration; while from the de-
cison Of the late democratic caucus Of the Senate
on the tariff it would appear that the Southern
leaders Of the party in that body have decisively
pronounced against the administration.
With this decision before us, all the financial
relief that can be expected Of this democratic
Congress is another loan or another issue of
Treasury notes. This flame and impotent con.
clusion" will throw upon the President the duty
of calling an extra session of the new Congress,
in order to provide a seasonabls modification of
the tariff for the relief of the treasury and the
country. At the extra session thus called there
will be a sufficient majority in the House to pass
the tariff bill indicated by the President, to the
fullest extent, and, no doubt, a cooperative ma
jority in the Senate. But the result will be
another split in the party, and the addition of
another Presidential clique or two to the number
already in the field. The difficulty is tariff
policy which will be acceptable to Pennsylvania
without sacrificing Georgia; and as Pennsylvania
insists upon protection, and will have nothing
but protection, a compromise is given up, and
the party In the Senate have agreed to dispense
with Pennsylvania.
The Senatorial democratic caucus resolution.
that ut is inexpedient to make any change in the
tariff law at the present session. amounts to
this; but, in abandoning Pennsylvania, as State
lost beyond recovery, what possible hope can be
reposed in the Charleston Convention? In the
very outset its weakness will confirm the
existing divisions in the camp. 1t will break up
in a row, and the last inglorious struggle Of the
demoralzed and disorganized democracy will
thus be in the shape of miserable and disor-
derby scrub race of two or three candidates
against two or three candidates Of the OPP
position factions. Between the three highest
candidates from such contest transferred to the
House Of Representatives for an election, an alb
yupt dissolution Of the government would be as