New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-07-16
Netupork daily Gribn,re
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
TIE STATE OF AMERICAN POLITICS.

To ne Editor Of The " y. Tribune
SIR: Political theories are often unsatisfactory in
their results. Our Government bears some simllude
to that OF England, and hence ii happens that theo-
nee affecting our own are drawn from their expert
erce. In England there is always leader or plu-
r,y OF leaders of each party; and in those leaders Is
concentrated largely the power of the party. Cab
met is to be formed out of conflict ne materials. Pal
msIston the head Of one minor division, Russell OF
another and Gladstone, Golden and others each rep
resen,sy their several forces, unite and the Opposi
ton to a Derby Administration becomes compact and
triumphant.
Many assume that the same condition of things e1-
ists in this country that where the Opposition is in
subdivisions, some persons are responsible lead
err !" and that agreement and compromises made by
them will bind the classes which they assume to rep
resent who are thus made to act just such leaders
prescribe.
Nox I apprehend that those who act upon such
theory will find themselves wofully disappointed in
the result. 1t is true that where the people are
divided into but two opposing parties, consolidated by
time and united action, with welldefned principles,
having trusty men of eminent abilities at their head
il the int. gritty and correctness of whose principles
the whole psrty have confidence, the main body take
personsly less indie pendent stand and are generally
DISPOSED TO submit to the management OF their lead
ere But such condition Of things does not exist az
IN. present time aud, indeed, cannot exit to any
effective purpose where success requires com6ina
ton OF opposing elements.
IL must have met your observation, and that OF all
your readers that style of writing and speaking has
10 considerable extent prevailed OF late, which taxes
il for granted that somebody control the action Of
this or that patty and that somebody has adopted OF
is about TO adopt, rules and regulations for political
action at our next Presidential contest, winch must
exclude large bodies of electors from participation
in putting down the Democratic party. And hence
We see it affirmed that if the Republicans insist upon
this position or that or If they will nominate THIS OF
that man or from this or that class of men, they Will
be defested
Now all this course Of remark is, as think, the
the result Of assuming the ialacious premises nancy
that somebody can aud has the right 10 control Inc
Republican party.
The great macs of the people of this country are
intelligent men. They read, they reflect and they
form their own opinions If statesman here or there
Agrees with them in their views Of public policy as
so framed thew of course are disposed to honor him.
Bu, LET the most popular man in the country attempt
to govern and direct that public sentment-o turn II
into channel contrary to such we.cons1ered opin-
ions, and the vision of prophet is necessary to
foreten his fate.
Mr.. Winthrop would have the Republicans ignore
Slavery and abandon all issues upon that subject
without stoppipg to ascertain what bond of union
would then remain, it may be well to inquire HOW
.neb n contamination 10 be accomplished Mr.. Win
throp and Mr.. Ketchum have had sufficient expe-
repce. one would think to convince them that no in
reference OF influence of what are called leaders
can ever do it. Messrs. Sumner, Seward, Chase
of he 4
only because their known opinions upon this very
question agree with those OF the kepuohcah party
Let those gentlemen, ard hundred others of the most
trusted and honored of the Republicans, join Mr..
Winthrop and bis friends in m effort TO thrust aside
the issue of Slavery at thi. time and Sumner and
Seward and Chase would only dig pit for Their own
burial There s a prevailing impression that leaders
and politicians and statesmen can make aud unmahe
parties and euforce platforms. Oar political history
for the last twenty years should convince all men oil
the fslAcy Of such notions.
II there ever was party on earth created by the
mssses rot only without the aid and assistance but
against the repugpance aud resistance OF party lead
ers, is the Republican party. So emnen'lyi is this
the case that while that party in nearly al the Free
States comprehends majority Of all the people prooa'
bly, nc, one-fh part of the of political oistnc'
ticn who before the existence Of this party had by
Their talents and zeal made themselves distinguished
the party ranks, are found arayed on the sane
sdei and proposition can be more certain thah
That the political man. whatever may have been MS
standing, popularity and influence, mus. he crushed
under the chario; wheels of public sentiment the mo-
ment he attempts 10 resist aud put down any rising
,etor system Of political opinions msturely formed
BY the mass upon facts, reflection and conscientious
oervic,on.
Two more eminent statesmen will probably never
oeeupy the political arena in this suy other coun
Hy tie same tine, than Webster and Clay. IIeed