The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-14

ventions to nominate candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency, the people Of the
United States have manifested the most re-
markable apathy in regard to the issue of the
contest Such Indifference can only be ascribed
to that thorough disgust with which the whole
batch of petty politicians, North, South East
and West, have impressed the community. The
fight, therefore, seems to have been entirely
abandoned TO the politicians, the people stand
ing by with folded arms watching the contest,
without taking part in II, and apparently caring
very little which Of the five Presidential aspi-
rants should eventually end his way to the
bite House. The professional politicians,
However, are making up by their activity for
the apathy Of the general public, and are
biting scratching and gouging each other with
that brutality which il characteristic of their
clase. The Breckenridge and Douglas phalanxes
are slashing at eacA other In the most desperate
manner. The black republicans, too, are
almost divided into hostile camps, through Che
antagonism of Seward and Greeley. The con-
stitutional Union party are doing battle in an
old fashioned, respectable, but weak style,
against their disunited adversaries; and, finally,
the redoubtable Sam Houston has announced
his determination, like an old brave as he is,
not to leave the war path but to try his
strength too, in this great Presidential free
fight.
But while this disreputable five sided fight is
going ON between the politicians, the people
ought not, in their disgust at the spectacle, to
close their eyes to the vitality important ques-
ton involved in the result That question is
one of no less magnitude than the continuance
OF this government, or the disruption and disco
luton of the federal Union. No matter how
indiferently we may choose to treat the sub
ject. there are few thoughtful men who do not
realize and admit that we are drifting, fast
drifting, to point where we will be startled
by that dread question, "To be or not to be-"
There is not the slightest doubt in the world
that nineteen-twentieths of the people of the
United States are thoroughly devoted to the
Union, and would maintain the existing institu-
tons of the land, faithfully and to the last ex-
public affairs has been long abandoned to the
graceless politicians of all parties and all sec
tons, and the people may, before they are
aware of the danger, find themselves struggling
in the throes of civil revolution, into which
they will have been plunged by the selfish. des-
peratc and unprincip Pied men who make poll
tics profession.
1t is consolatory, however, to perceive indi-
cations of determination on the part Of the
people not to let the evil spread too
far. The elections in Connecticut and
Rhode Island last spring we're hailed by us
lican party for their abolition principles;
and in like manner the recent elections in Ken
lucky and North Carolina show that the people
Of the South have no favor to show 10 the seces-
sionists of that section. Thus the people,
North and South, rebuke abolitionism and dis
unionism, and proclaim their devotion to the
Union and their respect for the equal rights OF
all the States.
But yet. how stands the question of the next
Presidency! From present appearances, the
black republican candidate will, beyond all
peradventure, be chosen in November and
that, too, by q minority of votes. With his
election the principle OF inveterate hostility to
Southern institutions will be installed in the
highest office, and will soon assume an active
shape. We know that Mr.. Lincoln disclaims
any intention to interfere with slavery where it
exists; but all such protestatons are vain in the
pressible conflict b. which all the States of the
Union shall be made free. We're he, therefore,
ever so much Inclined to administer the govern
ment with strict regard to the constitution, he
would not be allowed to do SO while he stands
pledged to that article of political faith, and
while be would be open to the promptings Of
the Stewards, the Summers the Lovejoys aud
the John Browns of the black republican
army. And yet, in spite Of the imminent
peril into which the election of Mr.. Lin
coin will plunge the country, there
is little doubt that the united electoral
vote Of the North will be cast for him.
II cannot be otherwise, when the opponents Of
abolitionism are divided up into four hostile
camps. II matters little how many Southern
States may give their votes to Breckenridge
whether he get all or none-or how many may
be given TO Bell and Everett. The result will
not be affected by It; and Lincoln, with all his
hostility TO the South intensified by the recollec-
ton that his ticket was not even run in that Sec
ton, will be chosen TO preside over the confede-
racy Of sovereign States.
Who doubts that the consequences of such
result will be deplorable! Who believes or af.
fleets to believe that the South will willingly
submit to the sway Of man the vital principle
Of whose policy will be unwaveripg hostility to
them and their cherished institutions Will not
the Inauguration Of Lincoln be, at least, a token
Of alarm, assign of danger, to the republic Even
lift do not be the forerunner Of dissolution, Il will
be fraught with many minor evils, in the way of
interfering with the trade and intercourse be.
tween the North and South
There "a ef,lf siv,o "a r-,,rJ o0.;r.t tho~o