The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-20
The First Echo from the Popular Heart
The True Opening OF the Campaign.

engagements moderate.
The First Echo from the Popular Heart
The True Opening OF the Campaign.
The great gathering of the mercantile and
industrial classes of New York at the Breckin-
ridge and Lane ratification meeting on We'd
nesday night was the first breaking ground
the first spadefull thrown with a will by the
people-in the sharp, clear and defined politi-
cal contest which is to elect the President and
decide the policy of the federal government
for the next four years.
Two months ago the old regime OF the demo-
cracy was brought to trial at Charleston by its
own partisans. After a long discussion the
court adjourned to Baltimore, and there it was
formally condemned and executed, with gene
raj consent, on the night Of the sd Of June.
Everywhere the people rejoiced in their new
freedom. The tyranny and corruption of the
whole party organization had become I'M
bearable, and when II was dead the feeling of
relief was universal. Only the professional
politicians were perplexed and anxious.
They saw the system by which they
had so long secured for themselves the
public spoils broken and shattered to
pieces, and in their despair some chung to the
larger fragments, claiming that that was the
true ark, while others endeavored to patch up
the remnants and make a semblance of the old
concern. New plans and programmes were
also brought forward by hopeful politicians,
and during the past month every one has won
dered at the apathy Of the people in such
momentous crisis.
But ii was not apathy that existed. The
people saw the hollowness Of the Bell move
ment, Notwithstanding the hopeful faces of his
political managers. They perceived the alb
stractions and fallacies of the Douglas scheme,
Notwithstanding the confident tone Of his ad-
herents. Houstons name failed to make an
echo, and the Gerrit Smith side movement was
comprehended. Instinctively the people felt
that in none of these was there the vitality and
strength necessary TO encounter and defeat the
black danger in which Lincoln and his destrlic-
tive allies and followers threatened to involve
the highest and dearest interests Of all. And
therefore not hand was lifted, not a sign went
forth, to show how the popular heart listed.
Yet Il thrills before the common danger of
black republican triumph, and is ready and
willing for the contest.
The Breckenridge and Lane ratification meet
ing has awakened the first echo from the popu-
lar heart, and given to the whole country the
key note for the national bugles, and the true
plan for the opening campaign. The contest Is
one Of conservative resistance to the revolu-
tionary and destructive schemes of the black
republican fanatics and demagogues, and it is
in the central, commercial, manufacturing and
mining States that the people can be rallied,
and are ready to rally, upon the constitutional
principles involved. New York has given the
first sign. Our commercial and industrial
classes have shown that in Breckenridge and
Lane they have found the true representative
men Of the constitutional principles which form
the soul of the coming contest, and that their
names have awakened the only real and living
enthusiasm which has shown itself In the
popular revolution through which we are
now passing. This feeling will find Its
echo among the same classes and in
teres,s in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
and there the issue lies. The battle of
lsj6 is to be repeated, but on a grander
scale, and in a more distinct and clearly defined
form. Ii Is not in New York, but In the central
and commercial States on the Southern border,
that the thiekest Of the fight will rage, and the
battle be lost or won.
These facts will soon be patent to the whole
country, and men everywhere will begin TO
range themselves on the only living principles
which enter into the issues Of the day. On one
side stands Lincoln, proclaiming the social,
moral and political superiority of the North
over the South, and calling upon men to enter
nto an "irrepressible conflict" for the complete
and entire destruction Of the Southern States.
On the other hand we have Breckenridge pro-
claiming the equality and brotherhood Of the
States, the harmony Of commerce and industry
the sacred and constitutional right Of selfgo.