The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-07

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR TIE PRESI-
DENCY.-It Is extensively reported among orr
newspaper exchanges that something like aeon
certed movement" among the democracy of the
Southwest has been disclosed in favor of the
nomination by the Charleston Convention Of
Hon. James Guthrie, of Kentucky, for the next
Presidency, and that Operations are in progress
to influence the North in his favor" The report
is plausible one, and, assuming that another
democratic candidate may thus be added to the
list already on the slate, let us take brief re-
view Of the catalogue.
The chief recommendations of Mr.. Guthrie are
that he is located the right side Of the slavery
line for the Charleston Convention; that he is a
millionaire; that he is an extensive holder of
slave property; and yet, as Southern man, sufi-
GENTLY moderate in his views upon slavery to be
acceptable to the Northern democracy. His
chief drawbacks are that be was member of the
Pierce administration, and that in the matter of
the dismissal of Judge Bronson as Collector Of
the port Of New York he is responsible for the
reopcnipg of those divisions in the New York
party camp which it was supposed had been
healed in the election of poor Pierce. But there
is yet another difficulty in the way of Mr.
Guthrie. 1t ia Vice President Breckenridge, of
the same State, whose aspirations for the Charles
ton nomination are said to be of very hopeful
character. Thus between Breckenridge and
Guthrie, The Kentucky democracy will he more
likely, in short time, to find themselves in the
wraDglng condition Of the Virginia democracy
between Wise and Hunter, than in any improved
position for the Presidential nomination.
Among the other democratic candidates and
aspirants booked for Charleston are Siidell, of
Louisiana; Davis, of Mississippi; Stephens and
Cobb, of Georgia, and last, though not least,
Hammond, of South Carolina Bright, of
Indiana belongs to the firm of Slidell and Com
pany; and Douglas, Of Illinois, it is said is in
the copartnership of Wise and his partisans-a
combination which has already secured power
full Judgment in the city of New York. The
Hunter movement appears to be limited to Vir-
ginia; and before either Cobb OF Stephens can
expect TO go further, the one or the other must
secure the voice Of Georgia. Breckenridge has
the advantage of tried and substantial national
popularity; but Mr.. Guthrie, we suspect IL
brought forward under the tremendous engineer.
ing of George Sanders. AS for Senator Ham
mond, we apprehend that his political views are
too broad, comprehensive, conservative and indie
pendent to meet with any favor among the
Southern ultras Of the Charleston synagogue;
and that in reference TO the democratic party in
1860, we shall fully realize the force of the old
axiom, that "too many cooks spoil the BROTH"
OPENING OF THE CAvAIs.-We perceive that
the Canal Con missioners have fixed the 18th Of
April as the date when the Erie canal shall be
opened for navigation. The Pennsylvania canals
opened on the LIST Of April, and the Vel
land, we believe, on the ith. This gives those
canals an advantage Of two weeks navigation
before us-a circumstance which must initiate
considerably against The commercial and carry
ing interests Of our State by the Welland canal
Western produce can reach tidewater through
the St. Lawrence, and by the Pennsylvania
canals through that State, fifteen days in ad-
vance of its transmission through New York,
owing TO the dlatoriness of our Commissioners
Why is this? viii the Canal Commissioners
give us the reason?