The New York herald., 1865-09-24

Tho Coming EIeotlOn-Let Us Sec tho
Representative Candidates.
The approaching election in this State will
be very remarkable affair. Since both par
ties endorse President johnson, since both
Slocum and Barlow, the leading candidates.
have served the country gloriously during the
recent war, and since they both stand upon the
same platform, the contest may be narrowed
down to question of good looks, comparative
excellence in oratory or dignity and propriety
of department. The friends of General Slocuin
assert that he is the better looking candidate,
and in all probability the friends Of General
Barlow are of precisely contrary opinion.
Both of these generals have practised law, and
ought to be well versed in the arts Of elo-
quence; but we never heard either OF them,
and cannot decide who is the better speaker.
The only way for them to decide these ana
other such issues that will be raised during the
canvass, is for them both to appear in this city
on the same rostrum at the Cooper Institute
not at the Academy of Music, which is reserved
for squalls and squallcrs-and let the people
meet them face to face.
In close canvass the slightest circu instance
often decides an election. We remember one
Congressman who used to get ahead Of the
opposition candidate by kissing all the babies
in his district, clean or dirty, fat or lean, sour
or sweet, ugly or handsome, imps or cherubs.
Henry Clay owed his election to lucky rife
shot at Kentucky shooting match. The use of
hard cider as beverage made Harrison Presi-
dent. Fremont made splendid run because
he had charming wife, whom the people
called "Our jessie" Buchanan owed his sue
cess to the fact that he was bachelor, and all
the women wanted him elected SO that they
might have chance to marry into the White
House. A hasty plate of soup destroyed
General Scott. The phrase "Honest Old Abe"
elected Mr. Lincoln. But it is useless 10 multi
ply instances. Everybody knows that many
man has attained high honors, wealth and posi-
ton on the strength of a clean collar, new
pair of kids, or benevolent smile, and that
many politician has been killed by nick
name suggested by some of his personal habits
or peculiarities, and applied at the right time.
The people take likes and dlslikes easily, and
their prejudices for or against certain charac-
teristics often seriously affect the result Of an
election.
II will be seen, then, that very much depends
upon the popular impression made by the two
generals who are RAINING for Secretary Of
State. They must come prepared for the closest
inspection, and ready with brief, telling and
patriotic grafton apiece. The cut OF Slocum's
coat may lose him votes, and the style in which
Barlow wears his hair may tell powerfully for
or against him. We neither defend nor de-
nounce this system Of judging of the merits of
a candidate by his personal appearance Or his
ability to speak glibly. We simply record
what every one knows to be fact aid that is
that such trifcs do influence the public mind.
To deny this is to fly in the face Of the history
of the past and the record of the present, and
we call attention to ii as matter Of vital in
terest to all concerned. II is not for us to say
whether Slocum or Barlow is the superior man.
Let the people see them, hear them, and form
their own judgments. 10 this end we invite
the two generals to visit this city and express
their opinions upon the topics of the day. There
is no good reason why they should not appear at
the same meeting, as they fought together in the
same war and for the same noble cause. Such an
event may fully inag,wate the era OF good feel
ing, and practically decide the election in ad-
vance.