The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-02
THE ISSUES IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELEC-
TI0N OF NEXT NOVEMBER.


OF next November, the preparation for which now
engrOSses the attention Of American politicians
appears at the first blush more important than any
decided in the United States since the adoption of
the constitution All the minor controversies
which might have furnished ''platfnrms" for the
cnntendng parties have been absorbed in the great
struggle between the opponents aud the supporters of
slavery, and the magnitude and nearness of the in
tereStS involved, have impaired unwonied zeal and
bitterness to a contest always extremely exciting
1t we accept the manifestoes of mel who profess to
speak IN the name OF their parties, the very con-
tnuance of the Union is involved in the result Of
the election We are told that the sirrepressibIe
conflict has begun, and whilst the abolitiOniss of
the North have been making a hero of John Brown
and thus proclaming the lawfulne of a violent
emancipation, The save-Ownefs of the South have
loudly declared their intention to secede from the
Union II republican President be elected And as
1T Is upon these opposing manifestations that the
opinions of most EDgshmen formed, it has
come to be the settled belief of most persons in this
country that collision between the foes and friends
of slavery is inevitable, and that the federal Union
will be violently dissolved some time next winter
There is not, however, the slightest chance of
such catastrophe, and no American seriously en-
tcrtans the idea of 1t for one moment. The errors
into which Englishmen fall in their judgments upOn
American politics arise from their inability to ap
precate the cectioneering character of the singu-
lar speeches which they in the habit of accent.
ing party professions of faith. At home we
never think of receiving a hustings speech as a de
claratiOn of policy which will be faithfully adhered
to. We allow for the license WAYS taken upou
such occasions, and pardon the most outrageous
invectives and the widest salies the products of
an exceptional excitement Yet, with singular in
consistency and untairness, insist upon regard
ing the electiOneeTing efusiOns Of our cousins on
the other side of the Atlantic-whch necessary
as proceeding from people throwing far more soul
into politics than we do, are much more warmly
colored than our own-as deliberate expositions Of
future policy, and then make a whole nation re-
sponslbe Tor the expressions of two or three men,
whose real influence is nappreciable. If Mr.. Roe
buck ylruently attacks the Emperor Napoleon,
and in pretty plain terms intimates the desirab-
ty OF embarking in crusade against France or if
some exctable Irishman talks treason against
Queen Victoria for couple of hours nobody as
sunes that, because the former is n man of some
mark in the radical ranks, the whole of that party
is eager to enter into a war against France: or be-
cause his cOmpatrots cheer the fervent apostrophes
of the latter, that Ireland is really desirous to set
up a republic. Why then, should we assume
that Mr.. Lloyd Garrison, when he calls for no
peace with slavery, really represents the opinions
of the bulk of the New Englanders, or that Cover
nor Wise, recommending intercourse with the
North, and war With Eng land, speaks the real SEN
timents of the South 4?
There may, indeed, be politicians in the United
States reckless enough to look upon the prospect
Of a dissolution of The Union with complacencv;
but the immense mass of the people, to whatever
party they may belong, are determined to maintain
the federal bond unimpaired. They know that the
Union has been the means, under Providence, OF
preserving peace within their own borders Of en-
forcing the respect of other nations and of facilta
ting that enormous commercial and industrial de
velopment which has made them, If not the fore
most nation ot the earth, at least equal to any, and
rendered that pre-eminence merely question Of
time 1t is not to besupposed-that people so pro.
oundy convinced Of this truth will suffer the KEY
stone of their greatness to be removed In the pre
lminary flourshes of this great quadrennal con
test, the vehement professional politician, who
looks merely at temporary and personal sue
cess, takes, a matter of course, the chief
part. Men largely engaged in business, and
averse to the turmoil of political STRIFE will
leave the field to the noisy takers until
the time draws close at hand for action; and
then the wealth and intelligence Of the Uni
ted States will throw their weight into the
scale, and crush any attempt to obtain par
ty victory at the risk of putting end to the
national existence. If indeed, the success of the
Democratic party be as much A matter of certain
ty is now represented, all fear, not of such an
event dissolution of the Unun-fOr that we
regard as impOssible-but of grave iuconvenences
resulting from aggressive steps against slavery, is
at an end. But even il this estimate should prove
incorrect, and the Republicans should carry their
candidate, Southern rights would be but little in
terfered with. Office brings with it responsibility;
and, just as in this country opposition which has
been roaring like lion most dovelike as soon
it crosses to the Ministerial benches so the most
vehement anti-slavery champion the North might
send to the White House woald, upon his install
ment there subside into impartality or noffensive
We find remarkable illustration of the real at
tachment of all parties to the Union, and the prac-
tcal freedom from danger Of the Presidential CON
test, in the speech-assuming the telegraphic sum
mary to be cOrrect-whlch Mr. Seward delivered
to the Senate in asking admission for Kansas into
the Union. Mr.. Seward hopes to be the Republi-
ca candidate for the Presidency, and his speech
NJ be taken as profession of faith intended to
win that party; yet his tone is strongly pro Union
ist, and his opposition to the extension Of slavery
is carefully guarded by full recognition of the
sovereignty of each State, and distinct repudia-
ton OF sympathy with Browns mad act. 1t must
be added that this very Mr.. Seward is represented
as too extreme for his party, and their choice
1t is thought, will fall upon some more moderate
man. We are not yet in position to discuss the
chances OF individuals or even of parties; but we
can plainly enough that the peace and progress
OF the United States will not be- endangered bv the
triumph of either, and we hold with undimnished
confidence to our faith in their mighty world
riching future.