The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-10


with Of the people, the floating vote of the
country, an masse rallied upon franklin Pierce,
in opposition, not so much to General Scot as 10 W.
H. Seacard, phox influence as az, anslapsyy Gg,tator
aras .feared might be seriously felt should Scot be
elected. Thus Pierce was elected almost by
general reclamation, and thus the great old
wbig party was borne down to the dust and
destroyed.
In the important interval from 1852 to
1856, from the scattered materials Of the
old whig party, aud from the dcmoraliza-
tons and disintegrations of tho cumbersome
democratic party caused by poor Pierce,
two new parties were formed-the Know No
thing or American party aud the republican
party. In 1866 the republican became the
great overshadowug Northern autislavery party,
while the democracy became the great pro-
slavery party Of the South. The floating vote
between these parties was mostly absorbed by
the American party, aud from this diversion of
the opposition forces Mr.. Buchanan was nicely
elected, with an aggregate popular majority Of
nearly four hundred thousand against the demo-
cracy.
The campaign of 1856 teaches the democracy
their game for 1860. They must harnonize aud
unite among themselves, aud they must DO what
they can to keep the opposition divided into two
or three parties. A fusion Of the opposition
forces upon such national man and patriot as Gen.
Scot settles the question at once. Greeley is
right upon this point. In general coalition
they could spare one hundred thousand votes
and still carry the day. But between the re-
publicans of the North aud the old whg ele-
ments Of the South, according to the facts and
arguments of the Washington Eta there is no
prospect of a coalition. The plan Of the republ
cans, therefore, is, just enough Of modera-
ton to secure the floating vote of such
otherwise doubtful Northern States as New
Jersey, Pennsylvania aud Indana, leaving
the opposition in the South to take their
own course The Southern opposition, we know,
wish to 60 shares with the republicans, in view
of the spoils; but the republicans will not
hazard their occupation of the North for a
doubtful footing in the South.
We may, therefore, safely count upon OF least
three parties in the field for the succession aud
considering the revived prosperity OF the coun-
try, the rapid replenishment Of the federal Trea.
sury, and the good prospects of Mr. Buchanan
administration, there is still o chance for the
democracy, in 1860, to win the battle as they
won it in 1856. Ex-Governor King the other
evening, in view of the departure of Mr.. Seward
for Europe, suggested pretty broadly that our
hopeful Senator would be the next Presi-
Jo1%o c }ho fn;{ Ctofa put NJ
in the sequel, will, we suspect, be dis
appointed. The more sagacious of the re
publicans have evidently discovered that Seward
will not answer their purposes, aud hence
their only chance is with such man as General
Scott. The democrats for 1850 are equally as bad
off for good candidate. None of the Southern
politicians will do. Wise, Hunter Orr, Stephens,
Slidell, &c. cannot carry any of the Central
States, without some of which there is no chance
for the democracy next year. The democr attic
Presidential candidate, to succeed, must be
wve,ern OF Northwestern man. not compro-
missed in any Of the recent sectional contro-
versies. Douglas, if he had sustained the admi-
nistration, would have had the vantage ground;
but he made opposition, and demolished his
chances for 1860. From what class can
the Charleston Convention select? Where can
they get man that can unite the floating
materials? There is no old, solid statesman like
Mr.. Buchanan alive now. They must take one
of the heroes of the Mexican war-such as
General Wool, Twiggs, Joseph Lane, OF Harvey
With such candidate they have a chance of
success, but not otherwise.