THE ELECTION OF 1848. THE year hastening to a close as this the whole atmosphere, not of France only, Almanac is prepared for the press has but of Italy, Germany, Hungary and the been signalized by memorable revolu- Principalities of the Lower Danube, and tions in Europe and America. Dissimilar their skies were lurid with the glare of in some of their aspects, they are yet one general conflagration. That confiagriidentical in their most vital principles. tion may be checked at this point and In either case, the essential end was the driven back on that; it may even seem to replacement of dynasties which had be overpowered and expiring; but it canceased to regard BENEFICENCE and the not be extinguished until it has burnt out widest diffusion of blessings as the chief of civilized Europe the last vestige of desend of government by others which should potic and aristocratic power. The burning prove more enlightened and faithful. In of the French Throne after the taking of monarchical Europe, the security or ag- the Tuileries typified the approaching de. grandizement of the reigning family, the struction of all the thrones in Christendom. maintenance of Aristocratic caste, or The American Revolution of 1848 differpower, or affluence, had come to be practi-ed from that simultaneously proceeding in cally regarded by most Governments as Europe only as dictated on either side by their 'being's end and aim,' to which the the circumstances and genius of the Peo happiness, enlightenment and content-ple. Here, as across the Atlantic, a caste ment of the unprivileged millions were or clique had seized upon the reins of made of small account. Hence Ministerial Government and perverted the power of and Court intrigues, rigid Censorships of the State in subserviency to their own the Press, the increase of Armies, the sordid ends. What Legitimacy and Dimultiplication of Police, the exhaustion of vine Right were to the governing class in Treasuries and the increase of National the Old World, that Democracy and the Debts, until Public Credit was with diffilated catch-words were to the governing culty sustained, while Employment for the class here. Instead of being a spirit of freePoor became scanty and precarious, dom and investigation, Democracy had be Wages depressed and inadequate, and come a mask for self-seeking, a cloak for amthe condition of immense masses insup-bition and grasping intrigue. Weigh what portable. Yet while Bread grew scarce is offered on either hand, and judge imKnowledge was day by day more widely' partially between them,' says ever True disseminated; the Steam-Press, the Pri-' Democracy. Ask no questions, but supmary School, even the Railroad, were, in 'port the regular nominations,' says Sham spite of every obstacle, rapidly though Democracy-the Democracy of caucuses silently educating the People into a and office-seeking combinations: 'You may clearer understanding of their rights and indeed weigh testimony and judge; but wrongs, their misery and its authors: and 'if you decide that we have not governed when the train was at length fired, partly faithfully-that our measures through accident, partly through kingly' infatuation, and the despotism of Louis Philippe had provoked the Resistance of February, all Europe (Russia excepted,) was found ripe for Revolution. The torch exaggeration in the premises, we quote flung up by the workmen of Paris ignited the following passage from the letter of are not wise and beneficent, you prove yourself an enemy of Popular Sovereignty, and thus unfit to judge of the matter at all.'That none shall suspect us of mistake or Gen. Lewis Cass, accepting the nomina-liberal appropriations for the improve- "From the days of Gen. Hamilton to our days, since it has, in the course of the incessant the party opposed to us-of whose principles he was the great exponent, if not the founder-mutations of party interest, become Demowhile it has changed its name, has preserved es- cratic to oppose those principles or measentially its identity of character; and the doubt he entertained and taught of the capacity of man sures, these votes are cast as unhesitatingfor self-government, has exerted a marked influence upon its actions and opinions. Here is ly on the other side. So in regard to other. the very starting-point of the difference between questions. It is within the truth to asthe two great parties which divide our country.-. All other differences are but subordinate and sume that the party which, in our political auxiliary to this, and may, in fact, be resolved struggles, has possessed itself of the De into it." Here you perceive the assertion, the mocratic name, has thereby secured an implication, and may discern the practical advantage over its antagonist fully equivalent to One Million Votes. improvement. The assertion is that a party has existed and does exist in the And yet it became evident to keen obcountry which distrusts the capacity of servers, at the very outset of the late the People for self-government and is Presidential struggle, that the party wrapsecretly if not openly hostile to our entire ped in the mantle of Democracy was Republican system. But how shall an doomed to defeat unless saved by some alarmed people distinguish these traitors palpable blunder on the other side. The to Liberty from their fellow-citizens?-reasons for this may be briefly summed up Very easily: If you find a man opposing as follows: the self-styled Democracy and the election 1. The expiring Administration came of Gen. Cass to the Presidency, you may into power tainted with fraud. Mr. Polk know there is one of the recreants. Sup-was elected President by the aid of voters port to Gen. Cass and his coadjutors is the attracted to his standard by the resolution touchstone of fidelity to Human Freedom. of the Convention which nominated him The practical improvement follows in-affirming that the right of this country to evitably: If you wish to be regarded as the whole of Oregon is clear and indisputa friend of Liberty, of America and of able,' and the clearly implied pledge that Man, you must vote to make Gen. Cass he, if elected, would enforce said right at President and keep his party in power, the cannon's mouth if necessary; by the though you may honestly believe their aid of voters who hold to the Protection line of policy pernicious and the measures of Home Labor by discriminating duties, they advocate most adverse to the public interests and general welfare. who were deluded by the Kane letter; by the votes of men conscientiously opPreposterous as this course of argument posed to the acquisition of Texas unless is, it has by skillful iteration acquired and with the free consent of Mexico, and on exerted an immense influence over the terms which should relieve our country popular mind. It is not too much to say from the dishonoring imputation of having that more than Half a Million Votes are loaned her flag and her arms to the cause thrown every year for the candidates of Slavery Extension. When the just extermed Democratic because they are so pectations of each of these classes were designated, and without one thought as blasted by the Oregon Treaty, the Tariff to how far their professions of superior of 1846, and the pushing forward of our Democracy are justified by their acts or troops to the Rio Grande, in the heart of their opinions. When it was Democratic, a Mexican Department, and directly opin the vecabulary of party strife, to sus-posite its chief city, leading inevitably to tain Protection to Home Industry and a bloody, protracted, expensive and deso lating War, many thousands who had net, refused it as unequal to his deserts, hitherto 'gone with the party' were re- and ex-Gov. Wm. L. Marcy, notoriously pelled and alienated; and though with a adverse to Van Buren and Wright in the large proportion the ties of party were too internal politics of New-York, was called strong for the dictates of conscience, yet to the Cabinet, with the portfolio of Sectheir support of the Administration and its retary of War. It was understood that Heir became colder, more hesitating, less the Collectorship of New-York would be effective than it had been, while many bestowed as Messrs. Wright and Van openly and utterly renounced the whole Buren should prefer; but this expectation concern. When, on the meeting of the also was blasted; Mr. C. W. Lawrence, XXXth Congress in December, 1847, an a politician of the Croswell and Marcy Opposition majority in the House was school, being appointed instead of Mr. evinced by the choice of a Whig Speaker, Jona. I. Coddington. The alienation thus the discomfiture of the place-holders was originated was fed by a thousand followalmost ensured. We believe there has ing occurrences, until at length, in Novemnever been an instance under our Federal ber, 1846, Gov. Wright was signally deConstitution in which a President has feated in a canvass for reëlection, and it been elected of adverse politics to those was asserted that the Administration had of the Speaker of the House last before chosen. 6 connived at and promoted his discomfiture. Gov. Wright died a few months afterBut a concurring cause of weakness and ward, but the feud thus commenced was dissolution had already been developed in fought out over his grave. A State Conthe ranks of the professing Democracy of vention assembled at Syracuse early in the Empire State. Here, in 1843, the '47 to nominate 'Democratic candidates name of SILAS WRIGHT had been in- for State Officers; each wing made the volved in aid of the election of Polk, and most desperate exertions to secure he, an original and earnest opponent of majority of the Delegates, and there were the Tyler Treaty for the Annexation of several contests for seats, the settlement Texas, had been run as Governor, in order of which would determine the character to reconcile many Democratic opponents of the Convention. Superior management of Annexation to the support of Polk and and tact were clearly on the side of the the party. The plan succeeded but too Croswell or Conservative faction, now well well. Mr. Polk carried the State by 5,106 known by the appellation of 'Hunkers ;' votes, and was thereby elected, while while the more Radical or Wright and Mr. Wright ran far ahead of him for Van Buren_faction were equally well Governor, receiving 10,030 majority. Al-known as Barnburners, (in allusion to though this disparity evinced in the clear- an anti-Radical story of a thick-skulled est manner the immense service which Dutchman who had burnt his barn to clear Mr. Wright had done the party in con-it of rats and mice.) The Hunkers' carsenting to run on the ticket, yet there ried most of the contested seats, and prowere not wanting sycophants and adven- ceeded to nominate a State Ticket enturers to poison the ears of the Presi-tirely of their own faith, substituting dent elect and his coterie with tales of Orville Hungerford for A. C. Flagg as the treachery of Gov. Wright's especial Controller. In the election which followfriends, who (they asserted) had placed him ed, the leading and more ardent Barnat the head of the poll at the expense of burners' refused to support the ticket so other candidates on the ticket, and even formed, leaving the Whigs to sweep the plotted to defeat the Electoral Ticket State by an average majority of over Mr. Polk, a weak man, was like all weak Thirty Thousand. See Returns in last men, jealous of superiority and uneasy year's Almanac.] under a sense of obligation: every intima- But the Hunkers, though beaten, claimtion that Mr. Wright had elected him was ed to have got possession of the party A misunderstanding followed, machinery; appointed a new State Cenas was natural. It is currently understood tral Committee, and in due time called that the President elect felt constrained another State Convention at Albany, to offer a choice of places in his Cabinet to Gov. Wright, who declined it in view of his obligation to the People of New-York, but asked that Azariah C. Flagg should be made Secretary of the Treasury instead. This, if not absolutely promised, was virtually assured; but Mr. R. J. Walker, to whom the Attorney-Generalship had been assigned in the original cast of the Cabi an agony. which framed an Electoral Ticket and chose the State Delegates to Baltimore.Meantime the Barnburners had themselves called a State Convention at Utica, the call being made by a majority of the Democratic Members of the Legisla ture, and as such held to be regular and according to the usages of the party.This Convention chose a full Delegation to the National Convention at Baltimore, | Chief Magistracy, while his signal and while the Hunkers chose Representative long-continued labors for the Whig cause Delegates by Congressional District Con- were deemed fairly to entitle him to this ventions. When the Baltimore Conven- recognition of his worth. Another class tion assembled, (May 1, 1848,) each side perceived in the brilliant achievements, was fully and ably represented, and their the blameless life and the sound principles conflicting claims were urged with ability of Gen. WINFIELD SCOTT, the Conqueror and desperate earnestness, first before a of Mexico, the elements of unquestionable large Committee, then in full Convention. and merited success, and rigorously urged It was finally decided that neither should his nomination. JOHN MCLEAN-and, be admitted to cast the vote of New-York THOMAS CORWIN of Ohio had each of them* in the ballotings for President and Vice- advocates for the Presidency, but they had President. The Convention then proceed-withdrawn their names from the canvass. ed to its work, and on the fourth ballot And finally, a large majority of the prominominated Gen. LEWIS CASs of Michigan nent politicians of the party, especially for President, and Gen. WILLIAM O. BUT throughout the South and West, and inLER of Kentucky was afterward nominat- cluding most of the Whig Members of ed for Vice-President, The Hunkers' Congress, discerned in the character and promptly and heartily concurred in these life of Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR the elehominations; but the Barnburners,' to ments of a popularity which nothing could whom Gen. Cass was especially obnox- withstand, and deemed his nomination ious, utterly repudiated them, and prompt-equivalent to an election. It is not alone ly called a State Convention, which as- or mainly, they urged, that he has been sembled at Utica, (May 22d,) and nominat- uniformly successful in the field, winning ed MARTIN VAN BUREN for President, and decisive victories over armies numbering HENRY DODGE (ex-Governor, and now treble and quadruple his own, but that he U. S. Senator,) of Wisconsin, for Vice- has uniformly shown himself so wise, so President. Gov. Dodge declined the nom-simple, so modest, so scrupulous in his ination and adhered to Gen. Cass; but obedience to the civil power, that we urge Mr. Van Buren, though accepting with his nomination, and pledge to it the supunfeigned reluctance, resolved to abide port of a large majority of the People. the issue. Several gentlemen from other These considerations prevailed with the States participated in the doings at Utica, Convention. Gen. TAYLOR was nominated but New-York alone was regularly and for President on the fourth baHot, the votes fully represented. The New-York Dele- running as follows: gates were therefore empowered to attend and take part in a more general Convention called upon farther notice to meet at Buffalo in August, and which did meet accordingly. ..... 1st ballot. 2d. Zachary Taylor... .111 *John McLean... Total..... * Withdrawn before. uents. E882 3d. 4th. 118 138 171 97 86 74 32 43 49 54 ... 22 22 17 4. 2 0 MILLARD FILI MORE of New-York was on the second baliot nominated for VicePresident by a decided majority. Meantime, (June 1, 1848,) a Whig National Convention assembled at Philadelphia, every State in the Union being represented; Texas, which alone, had no In point of fact, this nomination had Delegates present, having instructed Loui- been settled from the beginning. Many siana to vote for her. Hon. JOHN M. Delegates who voted for other candidates MOREHEAD, Ex-Governor of North Caro- at first were known to be really in favor lina, was chosen President. An excited of Gea. Taylor, and only voting for others struggle for the Presidential nomination ir deference to the opinions of their constithad long been anticipated. A large majority of the Whig voters, in the opinion of this writer, ardently desired and confidently expected the nomination of their old and dearly, loved standard-bearer, The opposition to Gen. Taylor in the HENRY CLAY, believing that the People Whig ranks had been in no considerable were now ready to do justice to his emi- degree personal. The merits claimed for nent statesmanship, abilities, devoted him by his friends were very generally patriotism, and unsurpassed public ser- conceded. But it was objected to him that vices. A less numerous but most respect- his Military achievements formed, after able body, especially in New-England, all, the basis of his aspiration to the Presibut by no means confined to that section, dency, since without these his personal regarded the transcendent abilities and merits and virtues would never have made world-wide fame of DANIEL WEBSTER as him a formidable candidate-and to elevaeminently calculated to shed lustre on the [tion to high civil trusts on the strength of ing, while those from the Slave States opposed it. brilliant Military achievements the Whig into such Territory from whom labor or service party had ever been strongly opposed. is lawfully claimed in any one of the United It was farther urged that his opinions on and conveyed out of said Territory to the person States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed the great leading principles of National claiming his or her labor or service." Policy had never been clearly enunciated, nor his qualifications for the highest civil discussion (but not without evoking much This Proviso was adopted with little station conclusively demonstrated; and, especially that on the great absorbing Members from the Free States supportfeeling) by the House, nearly all the question respecting the admission of Human Slavery into or its exclusion from the The bill thus amended was Territories of the Union just acquired from sent to the Senate, and was promptly Mexico, his opinions were not known to accord with those of that great majority met by Mr. D. H. Lewis, of Alabama, with of the Whig party which stood firm for a motion to strike out the Proviso. Mr. Davis of Mass. rose in opposition to this Freedom, but were with reason suspected and even confidently claimed to incline when word was brought that the House motion, and was speaking against it the other way. The objections thus raised had adjourned without day-the hour of were strengthened by the refusal of the Convention to pass a resolution affirming the House clock, though not yet reached adjournment (noon) having been struck by the principle of the Wilmot Proviso, or even to put forth any formal declaration of by the Senate's. The bill thus failed for fundamental Whig principles at all. On the session, and among the most vociferous mourners over its loss was Gen. Lewis these grounds, many Whigs felt constrained for months after the nomination to Cass, a Senator from Michigan, who deepwithhold their support. But by letters regretted, in repeated conversations, subsequently written by Gen. Taylor the that so fair an opportunity to establish the doubts of his fidelity to Whig princi- principle of Freedom in the Territories ples and the apprehensions that he would had been lost. cured. The next Session witnessed a revival veto any bill which Congress might pass of the bill, and of course of the Proviso; embodying the principle of Freedom in the Territories, were pretty generally dis-both of which again passed the House, pelled, and a very general concurrence Senate-Gen. Cass now ranging himself but the latter was now defeated in the of the party in his support ultimately se- with its opponents, but in his speech We return to the dissenters at Balti- avowing his concurrence in the principle more from the Cass and Butler nomination. of the Proviso, while he regarded the atIn the progress of the Wright and Cros-tempt to establish it as untimely and inwell controversy in this State, a difference auspicious. But soon after the next Conof opinion on a great National question Gen. Cass addressed an elaborate letter gress assembled (Dec. 28, 1847,) the same had been gradually developed. When, after the victories on the Rio Grande ing that a change had taken place in his to Mr. A. O. P. Nicholson of Tenn., avowand the simultaneous declaration of War views, and that he was now opposed to against Mexico, it became evident that the Proviso altogether, as at best of doubtan acquisition of Territory would be among the results of that War, the dis-ful constitutionality and at once perilous position and future institutions of that Territory become objects of general conJust as the XXIXth Congress was closing its first or long session, Mr. David Wilmot, a Representative from Pennsylvania, after a hasty consultation with several of his Northern Democratic friends, moved to add to a bill before the House, designed to give the President control of Three Millions of Dollars wherewith to make Peace, a Proviso in the words following: cern. and useless. This letter was widely cir culated, and was doubtless effectual in seclose of the War had removed most of the curing the defeat of the Proviso when the original grounds of opposition to it. It doubtless exerted an influence also in Winning Southern support to Gen. Cass, and thus securing his nomination for President. Free Soil question had become a potent Long ere this, however, the Proviso or element in the feud which divided the "And be it further enacted, That there shall be cal wing had never cordially approved party in New-York. The Wright or Radineither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any Territory on the continent of America which shall the policy of Annexation, though they had hereafter be acquired by or annexed to the United acquiesced in it under the stringency of States by virtue of this appropriation, or in any a party necessity, giving pledges to their whereof the party shall have been duly convict-followers that the acquisition of Texas ed: Provided, always, That any person escaping should not be permitted to operate as an other manner whatsoever, except for crimes |