The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-01
Tho Two Great Parties which Divide
the Country In tho Coming Presiden-
tial Contest.

Vho Two Treat Parties which Divide
the Country I'm tho Coming Presiden.
tial Contest.
1t must have become apparent, by this time,
to the most superficial observers of the politi-
cal horizon, that there never has been more
critical period in the history of the United
States than the present Every intelligent citi-
zen knows that the existence of the Union, in
its integrity, will depend upon the issue of the
next Presidential election in November. If
William II. Seward, or any other standard
bearer Of sectional discord, is elevated to the
Chief Magistracy, it is logically and morally
certain that the bands which unite the States
together will be rent asunder with bloody
violence, and that an "irrepressible conflict
a war of extermination-will ensue between
the North and the South. Destruction of COM
merce; humiliation of the internal and exter-
nal sources from which prosperity flows to our
merchants, manufacturers, farmers, and CAPT.
talists; the Inauguration of long period of
"fre, rape and slaughters,' would have for
their inevitable result to reduce this now happy
republic to the lowest depths of degradation,
barbarism, and misery. The masses of the
people, in all sections of the North as well as
South, are, therefore, awakened to the i'm
portance of considering, practically, what
ought to be done Immediately, without any de-
lay, in view of the great, vital and all-impor-
tant interests that are at stake.
So overwhelmingly grave and imminent are
the issues, which the rapid succession of events,
during the past few months, has brought home
to the hearth-stone of every good member of
society, that all minor differences of opinion
seem already to be forgotten. If not their
traces are fast becoming obliterated. The two
sole remaining divisions of sentiment in the
land will soon be, between those who aim at
dissolution of the Union, and those who are re-
solved upon the perpetuation of the Union.
Hence it is, that halfway measures, like half.
way men, are falling into contempt, as unsuited
to the emergencies of the moment The rump
of Know Nothingism, in this State, crumbled to
pieces at the Utica Convention. The old line
wing remnant is closing up more nearly every
day with the ranks of the conservative de-
mocracy. The Union meeting organizations,
everywhere, have fzzled out, through their
time serving lukewarmness, and are regarded as
having presented no truly remarkable feature,
beyond the bold, eloquent and patriotic speech
OF Mr.. Charles O'Conor. The great question in
the hearts, souls, and consciences of all, is.
what can be done at once, and most efficiently.
to avert the terrible catastrophe with which we
are menaced by Seward theories, as developed
by Helpers larger catechism, and John Brown
murders and treason?
There is, in the Northern and Central States,
great corps dc reserre of over eight hundred
thousand conservative, law abiding, indus
trious, honest citizens. Their strength in the
State of New York is overwhelming They
constitute the vast majority, as we'll as the pro-
bity and intelligence Of the community. 1t is
no matter by what name, in politics, they have,
hitherto, designated themselves. They are
united firmly, decisively and forever-upon
one point, which is war to the knife against
sectional heresy. Mutual offences they can
forgive and forget; but they will shrink from
no sacrifices to elect to the Presidential chair,
in the coming contest, sound, national man,
who will guide the ship of State, with firm
hand, out Of the breakers which menace its
destruction. 1t is most probable that the can
didate Of the Charleston Democratic Conven-
ton will be the individual around whom they
will ind it most expedient to rally; and, it is
urgent that they should lose no time, by delay,
in organizing themselves, so completely, as to
secure victory over antislavery disunionism
and fanaticism, which shall be signal and final.
The cliques into whicht the democratic party.
in the State of New York, are at present d.
vided, are completely effete, mercenary and
selfish. Their leaders are either rowdies and
bullies, Ike those of Mozart and Tammsny
halls, In New York, or treacherous free soil
demagoguee, like those of the Regency at AL.
bany. The Mozart Hall faction represents
good principle, through the medium Of un-