The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-27


United States Marsbais are either entirely iaef-
fcient or they are grossly negligent OF their
duties 10 this matter; otherwise theae would bs
dozen ships Of this character arrested before
clearing for one which is now stopped ia her
illegal enterprise.
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Cbarae<eristlcs OF the Charleston Con-
ventton.
The public has been RECALLED with very full
accounts Of four days proceedings of the poll
ticians at Charleston. TO the superficial OBJ
server 1t would appear that the Convention
was composed of rather heavy body Of pa
triots, who hardly knew themselves exactly
what they we're to do and so did As little ss
possible. A slight peep behind the scenes,
however, gives new view Of the matter alto
gether.
The Charleston Convention is made up OF
representatives from all the small cliqaes Of
the democratic party throughout the country.
Each faction has its candidate, and each hopes
to clutch the spoils Of the government for the
next four years. They are all Intriguing and
fighting, one against the other, and every thing
like political or moral principle is uaheeded
for the moment.
The consequence of this state of things is,
that matters begin to take their real shape,
and to appear without the mask Of bypoc-
risy or the veil Of humbug. The Southern
politicians, and the virginians especially.
have had q. great reputation for honor,
fair dealing, patriotism and generosity
The chivalry Of the first families has been ex-
plotted by the politicians until the theme has
become just little bit threadbare. Now we
find Virginia first killing off one Of Der own
and most devoted Wise--sDd then lead
ing of against Fernando Wood, who, with his
friends, has fought in the North the battles of
the South for the past ten or fifteen years. The
virginians sell themselves ont to the Albany
Regency, and they endorse Cassidy, Cagger a.
Co. fully Who are Cassidy, Cagger g. Co..
They were the leaders of the free soil demo
cracy In this State twelve years ago; they &C
tually formed the nucleus of the republican
party as 1t exists to-day They are not bit
better, as regards the South, than the av0wed
friends of Mr.. Seward; yet the South, With tho
exception Of few States, throws over its
Woodland takes the Regency to its
bosom. Cassidy was right in surreptitiously
obtaining copy of Wise's letter, and selling
it for twenty dollars. virginia-the arbiter
elegantiarum- approves Of the proceeding.
There is another struggle going ON across
the water, and one which divides the public
attention with the Convention. Il is vulgar
prize fight, where two semi civilized bull
lice, insdgated by their friends-the scum Of
London and New York-have met to beat,
bruise, and perhaps MAIN each other, for
sum of money. But Notwithstanding the
brutal character Of the business which the
champions" have on hand, the parties con-
cerDed in it have shown more real courtesy,
fidelity and good breeding than the fine gen.
tlemen at Charleston. We believe there is
more real honor and good faith among the
pugilists than the politicians. Whatever else
may be said Of the roughs. it cannot be charged
that they abandon their friends. Certainly the
way in which the South treats its friends will
not encourage any one to fight its battles at
the North. The South takes its enemies by the
hand, and kicks it's friends out of doors.
After having given this lively exhibition of
hospitality in it's finest form, the politicians 60
to work and make great fuss over . platform.
Nonsense. Pure, unsdulterated bosh. Hum
bug Of the first water. Buncombe boiled
down to jelly. The platform is made; the
events of the last year have made it The party
is on it There is only one issue; that's plain,
simple, and clearly defined. The battle is to be
fought against the Seward dogma, which looks
towards the abolition of slavery, and the
consequent destruction Of the South
The republicans cannot escape from that
position. That is all the platform which the
democratic party requires. And the politicians
At Charleston know this we'll enough. All
their debates about platforms are devices to
gain time, while the several oliques are BUSH
lighting for candidates. The traficking and
trading, the buying, selling and huckstering,
the intriguing and lying, have not yet been
finished. When 1t is over then we shall have
candidate, and there will be no bolt The re-
publicans need not lay any such fsttering
JUNCTION az that to their souls. The party will
wheel into line, and work for the successful
man, whoever he may be. There could be no
better proof of the truth Of John G. Calhoun's
statement, "the party il only kept together by
the cohesive power Of public plumber" than
We receive from Charleston. Every eye in the
Convention is fixed on the eighty millions per
annum of spoila Every palm itches for 1t.
Every nerve will be strained to obtain control
over it. That is the real object Of the Charles
ton Convention, and the South is as greedy as
DRAMAT1srs' QUARREIs-Somebody has writ
ten history of the quarrels Of authors. A
much more amusing book could be made out
of the quarrels Of stage managers, actors and