The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-05
ssThe Struggle OF 1s6O"-The Alarm In
the Republican Camp.

the Republican Camp.
There are signs Of alarm in the republican
camp. They are visible in every direction
The late domineering confidence of the leaders
and organs of that party has suddenly given
way to doubts and apprehensions of defeat.
Read the significant leading article which we
transfer to this paper from the columns of the
New York Tribune. 1t tells the republicans,
point blank, that "we believe they are to be
beaten, and, we fear, badly beaten, in the
Presidential contest now opening, unless they
soon organize in their several States, counties
and townships, or election districts, and take
comprehensive measures to place their views
so fully and clearly before the great body of
their fellow citizens as to secure thousands of
votes that will otherwise be cast against them"
Thousands of votesv' Our republican
prophets, then, are really beginning to discover
their danger. Thousands of votes !" We
have been endeavoring for months past to i'm
press the balance Of power thus suggested
upon the minds Of our conservative readers of
all parties. We have repeatedly expressed the
opinion, from the returns of our late Northern
vote, and chiefly in the Central States of this
section, ranging from five hundred to seven
hundred thousand, which has occupied to.
wards the republican party, for the last
year or two, the position of armed neutral
ity. This reserved vote is made up chiefly
Of commercial men, manufacturers, and men
of other business pursuits, whose interests are
so closely interviewer with the industrial and
commercial exchanges Of the South that they
look upon the Union, and the peace and har-
mony of the Union, as superior to all other
questions.
In other words there is reserved Northern
popular vote exceeding half million, and hold
ing the balance ofpower in New York, New Jer-
sey and Pennsylvania, which, upon this para
mount question of the Union, is prepared TO
enter the field against the republican party The
antecedents and proclivities of this reserved DO.
pular balance of power are not with the demo-
cratic party, as represented by the Southern
fire-eaters; but in default of new, indepen-
dent. practical and promising national party,
this balance of power may be secured to the
Of practical Union ticket and platform from
the Charleston Convention. With the solid
vote of the South already secured, the efforts
of the democratic leaders should be addressed
especially to this Northern balance of power.
Without 1t they are defeated; and their defeat in
November next will be the final overthrow of
their party f; but with this Northern reserved
vote, they may repeat their triumph Of 1852,
in the utter prostration and dissolution Of the
republican party.
And we say that in view Of the shilly-
shally movements of sold line whig" poll
ticians and old line Know Nothing
hucksters, and other old fogies, in be-
half Of a new national party, that this
Northern reserved vote is within the reach of
the democracy. They may secure it if they will,
before the meeting Of the Republican National
Convention, Our Tribune philosophers throw
out the free farm or homestead bill project as
good bait with which to catch this floating
Northern vote. But the "impeading crisis"
will not admit of any such claptrap~ for bum
combe. The one idea, the absorbing question
among all conservative men in this approach
ing Presidential struggle, will be the Union
On the other hand, Mr.. Stewards "irrepressi-
bic conflict" ideas, as interpreted by John
Brown, and as elaborated into practical sys-
tenn of insurrection, revolution and fire and
sword against slavery and the ''slave oligar-
chy" by Helper and the Rev. Theodore Parker,
have created feeling Of alarm and distrust
among all Southern conservative men, of all
classes and parties, against the republican
party.
The democracy at Charleston will have the
great advantage Of the first bid for our North
ern balance of power The President in his
last annual message has laid down the broad
Union landmarks upon which this bid may be
rendered effective. The programme demanded