The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-05-03
Political Creeds-The Great Conserva-

tive States-POpular Sovereignty
The sentiments that are most active
among the people of the United States are
those which have, in general, no organ
for their expression. This is especially
true in politics, where every thing tends
to Capitalization Men do not look for
the basis of their opinions to the nature
of things-the application of known truth
to the circumstances of the case-but to
the givings-forth of some great man, body
of party leaders, or chosen vehicle of
official wisdom The result is that there
are always two public sentiments--the
one natural, being the unspoken con-
seriousness of the masses; and the other
artificial, being the reflection of the
prejudices of interested parties, promul-
gated through presses retained and sub
sidized for the purpose. To be able to
discern the one, constitutes real political
sagacity, which is srATEsMANsHIP; to seek
after and accept the other, is the part of
imperfect political sagacity, which pre-
pares its proprietor for life of PARTISAN
SHIP.
1t is NJ. De ToooUEvnLE, we believe,
who has said that the Presidential cleo
tions of the United States are revolutions
They are so-either actual or abortive.
When they bring into power party that
previously was out, they comply with all
the requirements necessary TO give the
event. so far as the form is concerned,
revolutionary character; and when they
really bring new idea into the admins
tration, the revolutions complete. When
party out of power sets up title to the
government, it usually bases its claim
upon some idea; and, in theory, at least,
at every Presidential election, the people
are called upon to decide between the
idea of the party of the administration
and that of the party of the opposition.
If there is a sentiment of political i'm
portance active among the people, it
should be so defined and embodied as to
permit them to make it practical by their
suffrages: and to present the active senti-
ment of the people in such form of words
as to admit of this is the real business of
the politician who, for this purpose,
should act as the organ, and not-as he
so frequently attempts to be-the leader
of popular opinion. For the want of such
service, the people are continually msled
Political issues are always, and perhaps
purposely, equivocal Skill in construct
ing platforms consists in the ability to
fabricate such as will admit of the great
est variety of interpretations. Candidates
are not unfrequently found contending
with each other, not upon different sides
of the question, but as to which is the
best friend to one particular side; and
men holding the same opinions, belong
to opposite parties, and vote against and
quarrel with each other at every election
There is a sentiment peryadng the
masses Of the people in the Great Central
States of the Union, which has no author
lied organ for its expression, but which,
nevertheless, is as actually existent as if
it had been declared by mass meeting
of the entire population. Its being is in
the consciousness of thousands who, un-
able to reduce it to language, or to find it
embodied in any platform or presented in
the columns of any public journal, arc
silently waiting dissatisfied with the pres
ent, the day when it will be recognized
and made practical The Great Central
States, equally removed, in respect to ge-
ographical position, from the scene of the
pro-slavery fanaticism of the South and
the anti-slavery fanaticism of the North,
are, territorially in the natural place of
the conservative power of the Union.
Nor are they less so in respect to tho
habits and sentiments of the people.
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois,
are neither-in the character Of their
population-pro-slavery nor anti-slavery
p States and naturally, neither proslavery
nor anti-slavery politics is entitled to
home among them. Both are alike for
eign to their wants, condition and ideas.
They have no calling to make slavery or
unmake it and when questions in respect
= to either are presented, they come in az
g outlandish things made up abroad and
,ss sent among them upon the presumption
that they either lack the right or the
sagacity TO beget opinions for themselves.
In short, these States, so richly entitled
TO an influence proportioned to their nu
merical and moral strength, in the gov
ernment of the country have none at all.
The real character of the people is un-
spoken in platforms, and unfelt in admin