The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-28
Probable Action OF the Charleston Con-
vention-The Skies Clearing.


In carrying out our invariable rule to give
all sides fair chance, we have printed, in our
impression Of to-day, several extracts from the
democratic presses bearing upon the question
as to who shall be selected as the standard
bearer of the party in the coming Presidential
canvass In these extracts both the Douglas
ami the antiDougas clique are represented,
the former by Forney's Philadelphia Press, and
the latter by the freeating Charleston Mercury,
very influential journal in what Mr.. Seward
calls The capital States. A third clique, which
regards Douglas as dead cock in the pit, finds
an organ in the Washington Star, which gently
ambles General Joe Lane up and down the
Presidential course, saying we are not exactly
in the market, bat if you wish for very supe
rior article, the thing might possibly be ar
ranged.
All these indications, as well as our private
correspondence, from reliable sources, 60 to
show that the leaders of the democratic party
are beginning to see their way more clearly,
and that as the time for the assembling
of the Convention draws near, we approx
mate some definite idea as to its line of action,
which, as . matter Of course, is mechanically
marked out beforehand. Like their opponents,
the democrats have been little bothered with
multiplicity of candidates. Over twenty gen.
tlemen, all upright and able statesmen-all
sound upon the principles Of the democratic
party-representing all sections, here, there and
everywhere, all ready and anxious to dispense
the loaves and fishes to the true believers, have
been put forward by their friends, and have
had guaranteed, beyond all question, more
votes than the Convention will have members.
But as the time wakes brief before the eventful
day shall dawn, the twenty patriots drop off,
! one by one, and the unterrifed seem to be set
! Ting down upon five or six of the most popular
leaders From that residuum the Convention
will have no particular difficulty in selecting a
| strong man.
| Under all these circumstances, the position
| of Senator Douglas becomes an object of seri-
GUS consideration. He will go into the Con-
| vention with from seventy to one hundred votes,
leading the poll, probably, on the first ballot.
The anti Douglas men go with their strength
| divided between several candidates, and they
will scatter upon Guthrie, Dickinson,
! Hunter, Breckenridge, Orr, Joe Lane.
and perhaps several others. The two.
thirds rule viii not be abrogated, and after bal.
loting day or two the majority Of the Couven-
ton will settle down upon two or three men,
and the Douglas delegates, having kept togeth-
er, will select one Of these candidates, giving
him the nomination instanier.
This is common sense view Of the matter.
Mr.. Douglas cannot be nominated; second, upon
the invariable practice of conventions under
similar circumstances.
Now, as to Mr. Douglas. His friends have
been very noisy, and perhaps little bit over
jealous in pushing him forward. Wise, of Viz
ginia, was pressed in the same way, but now be
has weakened materially, as he cannst command
the support Of his own State. Douglas goes
into the Convention with en- apparent strength
beyond that OF any other candidate His eighty,
oreven one hundred votes, come, however, from
Northern and Western States, which will not,
under any circumstances, cast an electoral vote
for the democratic candidate Still, their mo.
raj influence may be important when the strug-
gle comes, and may sway one or two of tie
doubtful States. So these men cannot be en-
tirely ignored. Opposed to Mr.. Douglas stands
nearly the whole South-the section from which
the electoral votes for the democratic can.
didates must come chiefly. Mr. Douglas is
brilliant man, an experienced statesman,
strong eampaigner, and one Of The real repre-.
sentative minds which give the republic its
force ard individuality Of character. He
would have made capital President, and we
would have supported him with pleasure, LAD
he DOT made enc fa.a. b,Sldey, which be csnao: