The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-18
The Position OF Parties-Programme OF
VIM. H. Seward.

The Position OF Partics-Programme Of
VIM. H. Seward.
Much curiosity has been evinced, and many
parties have been on the tiptoe of expectation,
to know what Seward would say and do on his
return from Europe, and finding the disorder
and confusion into which Greeley, Wendell
Phillips, Helper and John Brown, by following
out in their own way the inculcations of his
Rochester manifesto, have thrown the black
republican party.
Thus far he has studied the art of silence
but we have obtained certain reliable informa-
ton from Washington, which enables us to lift
the veil from his programme for the coming
campaign, and to give the reasons which have
led to its adoption. Thurlow Weed and q
select few of the inner circle of Sewardites
have recently been there in confabulation with
their chief and surveying the condition of the
political field In order to exhibit the logic of the
Seward programme, it will be necessary for us
to take similar survey, and in the examination
the reasons will appear which have determined
MI. Stewards decision. When he left here
for his European tour, he left the repub
lican party buoyant, confident, and steadily
advancing in the Central, Western and
Northwestern States. On his return he finds
it detected, dispirited, and retreating in
all those sections, before the advancing
conservative feeling of the country, aroused
by the bloody treason of John Brown and the
incendiary counsels Of Hinton Helper. He
comprehends at glance, from the changed
position Of parties, that if the next contest is
to lie exclusively between the democracy and
the black republicans, bis party has no chance
for victory in the Central States, and perhaps
also in those of the West. This is equivalent
to complete defeat.
On the other hand he finds in the ranks ofhis
party abundant elements ready to take advan-
tage Of any false step he may take, and per-
haps to turn any judicious one to his personal
disadvantage. In New England, Banks and
Wilson are jealous of him, and determined to
Gust him from the leadership if possible. In
the West, Chase and Trumbull entertain the
same feelings towards him; and in both Of
these sections the disaffection extends from the
local leaders deep into the ranks of the party.
Seward and his friends have worked so long
to build it up, that they feel themselves en-.
titled to the first places and the best dishes
at the feast when the victory shall
have been achieved. But in this very
building up other men have acceded,
| whoee exertions are equally necessary
| for the triumph, and who consequently deem
themselves equally entitled to participation
| with the peculiar adherents Of Mr.. Seward in
the rewards. No present mode Of healing
these jealousies is apparent, and the greatest
danger lies in action Of any kind If success is
to be attained 1T must be attained from other
causes
These may perhaps be found in the other
parties rather than the republican. In exam
ming the field Of democratic politics Seward
and his friends confidently believe tina. the
Northern portion of the democratic party must
| split 1t is admitted that Mr.. Douglas is now
and in this effort he necessarily announces that
he will support the nominee Of that Conven-
ton, whoever he may be. But in view Of the
bitter feud between Douglas and the Southern
leaders OF the democracy and the evident pro-
liability that the Convention at Charleston will
Nominate Southern or some other Western
man, they insist upon II that he will bolt from
the party when he loses the nomination. and
| follow the same course that Van Buren, aid after
the nomination Of Cass. This VIII deprive The
! democratic nominee Of q portion Of IA, North
err support; and though it may no. suffice of
itself to defeat his election, it will lend valua.
Bile assistance to other complications to the
| same end.
Prominent among these is the movement for
getting up Union party, which shall run Nr.
Crittenden, Mr.. Bates Of Missouri, or some othe.
P.esiiensil candidate OF lis own, Tie lsw.