Year: 1860

pTouSHt ABOUT by combining the mos
opposite and hostile parties and factions
for the avowed purpose of defeating Mr.
Llncoin's election-not for selecting any
other man by the people, for that, under
existing circumstances, is hardly posi-
ble. This scheme to defeat Lincoln but
elect nobody, seems to be based upon a
principle entirely new. in American poll
ties, though well understood in American
trade


1t IS a principle of joint stock COM
pany, in which each subscriber Gin case
there is;any profit in the adventure), is
to drawa dividend in proportion to his
stock in trade.


THUS, in the political company lately
formed IN the great commercial State OF
New York fand it is runored that.these
ere other like companies in other States. }
the stock of which is divided into thirty.
FIVE shares, il has been publicly gazetted
that Mr.. Douglas owns fifteen shares,
and Messrs. Bell and Brechhinridge ten
shares each; and of course, by al! the
laws Of honest trade, the division Of the
profits, if any must, be in that ratiG.-
But it may be we'll doubted whether
there will be any profits to divide. 1t
is far more likely that the concern will
have to ''go into liquidation" before the
middle of November.


The scheme, indeed, is attractive, by
its novelty and boldness, and is charac-
teristic Of the daring enterprise of our
trading people; but then, the stock
holders are such inveterate enemies and
are so justly suspicious of each other,
that it is hardly possible for the affairs
OF the Company to be managed with
prudence and success Besides, the
people with whom the new Company
must deal, in all probability, prefer to
transact their political business with
some firm of longer standing and better
reputation for candor and liberality-
But to be serious. ...


This combination of opposite and
hostile parties, not to elect any man to
the Presidency, but avowedly to defeat
an election by the people, is factious and
dangerous. On the face of it, it pro-
claims distrust cf the people, and de-
sire to withdraw the great question from
the body ofthe nation and refer it for
decision to small number of men-the
House Of Representatives-all Of whom
are open to all of the appliances of
political spectators who will have am
pie opportunities to work upon their
hopes and fears, the ambition and their
interest.


IF the traders succeed in defeating an
election by the people, it is more than
probable that in view of the present
array Of parties in Congress the House
of Re personalities will also fail to make
an election, and then the Senate must
choose a Vice President from the two
highest on the list voted for by the elec
tors; and the person so chosen will be-
come President Of the United States, and
what sort of President? A Constitu-
tional President, l admit, and, therefore,
to be quietly submitted to, but Presi-
dent that no citizen, in voting for cleo
tors. ever thought of as President, and
yet the parties which bargain and con-
I'trive, and labor to compass this result,
all profess to be great friends Of the peo-
pie, and firm believers in their virtue
and their capacity to choose President,
in the way Of the Constitution, wisely
and we'll; still, they are doing their
worst to take the election, in fact, from
the people and give it to the Senate
And why give it to the Senate just now?
Because Just no,o the Democratic party is
in sinking condition, and already be-
low the hope of electing President by
popular vote But if this new scheme
can be made to work successfully, then
the Senate (Which unfortunately has
still Democratic majority may force
upon the country a Democratic Presi-
dent in spite of the people.


Thus it seems to me plain, whatever
the public, that the real design of it, and
the probable effect of it's success, will be
to re establish the now broken and de-
feated Democratic party, and make it
stronger than ever by the absorption OF
most if not all the elements of the new
tcoalition. 1t is easy to understand the
Democratic party, for its history is be-
fore the world; and it's present division
into factions, ostensibly upon particu-
lar principle, but really upon particular
men, has not changed it's doctrines, nor
improved it's character But it is not
so easy to understand the Constitutional
Union party, because it is a new party
without any history, and without any
pledge, in case of its success, to support
any particular line Of governmental
policy. 1t contains undoubtedly many
excellent men whose private opinions
are known and respected, but as party
it leaves itself by design, perfectly free
to do whatsoever it pleases, and unite
with whomsoever it pleases, when Ii
comes into power.


1t pledges itself to nothing, but tt
support the Constitution, the Unior
and the laws, and that, every homes
citizen of every party, knows to be ;
) common duty Every President, o
whatever party, must begin his oficia
life by swearing that he will preserve
protect and defend the Constitution o
| the United States" and that Constitu
, tion makes it his especial duty to "tak
care that the laws be faithfully execu
ted AS party then there is nothing
to distinguish it from any other party
Once in power, it may carry out th
t views of policy entertained by tn


''hottest" Democrat Of the South, o
'blackest'' Republican of the North
! free from any charge of inconsistenc


or breach of plighted faith. Any party
+ l think, in order to grow in strengtI
: and to bscome useful to the country
: must needs have some Distinguishing
S characteristic Of its own. Without som
= such nucleus of attraction and bond Q
r union, 30 party can long survive.


And in this instance, the process Q
Y disi n tanra ton sooroS alraadu to hay