The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-27

portion of our citizens, OF which he Is worthy
representative. He is plain, practical man,-has
a good deal of AMBITION but not much originality
comprehensiveness Of intellect.
Mr.. Oakley is, perhaps, better known tenn
perance orator than as one ofthe principal speakers
of the American Republican party. He too, is a
Young man, and keeps, we believe, respectable
grocery store. He is perfect Boanerges, his We
hemence of manner exceeding even that of Sam
mons. His standing topics are Bishop Hughes
corduroy breeches-the Dutch-and the Bible in
the Common Schools. Mr.. Oakley is very eff
clent member of the party, but whatever may be
his numerous other talents he is not exactly quail
fled TO advise, govern or guide party.
De La Ree-the popular methodist of the party
Is too important portion of the working mach-
merry TO pass unnoticed. He is about eight and
twenty, of slim, gentee figure, dresses in excel
lent taste, and culhvatesa magnificent pair ofblack
whskers but no moustache, that having very pro-
perly been voted foreign abomnation by the ma
tive party. DE La Rec, we venture TO say, has
done more for the party than any Six OF its orators.
He has embodied the popular feeling and enthusi-
asm in verses, which, if not exactly elegant as
Tom Moore's, are equally spirited and effective
Like the poet of Erin, too, De La Rec sings his
own songs in exquisite taste at the meetings. Indeed,
his songs are the great feature of the meetings II
any little controversy occurs De La Rec sings song,
and the effect soothing were the strains OF
David's harp the,disturbed spirit of the Israesh
King. Has the audience got tired out by dull
speech? De La Rec comes forward and re-kindles
their enthusiasm, patriotism, and zeal, till they get
10 red-heat. The service which De La Rec has
done the party in putting into such popular shape its
principles and watchwords, is so obvious as to need
no further explanation. One Of these will be
understood, remembered and repeated in a thou
sand instances, where long address speech would
be altogether ineffective. We think that when
"Young America" has carried the city, she must
create at least one new Office in the room of the
many useless ones she will abolish, and make De
La Rec the Poet Laureate of the Common
Council
Other melods,s there are in the party, as Multi
gan, and Van Buskirk; and other orators, as Wood
ruff, Hopper, Peck, Ascroft, Fay, and so on. But
they do not present any very distinctive features
which call for particular notice. One thing may
be remarked of them all. With the exception, per-
haps, of Monroe and Summons, these leaders are
all men who have hitherto been unknown in the
political arena. They are new men altogether
thrown up spontaneously in the general ebulliton
of the popular elements. Without experience in
the management ola party-without much striking
ialent-wlthout, in fact, any unusual share of the
means of attaining popularity-they have yet been
placed in the responsible position of leaders of
great popular movement---a movement which may
eventuate in revolutionary changes of which not
one of them dreams And what has thus far kept
the party together Has it been the sagacity---the
skill--the talent---of these leaders,! With all
possible respec, for the Abilities patriotism and
good sense of these gentlemen, we answer in the
negative. The great cohesive principle of this
party, has been general, pervading, actuating
feeling amongst the great mass of the independent
citizens of this great metropolis, that they had too
long submitted to the misgovernment of corrupt and
tyrannlcal factions, and that the time had come
to throw of the yoke, and make last effort to OBJ
tain, what they he'd so long looked for in vain both
from wings and locofocos, namely, the blessings of
good, cheap, Just and equal government-cean
streets, equal and just distribution of office, low
taxes, no Teasing of fat aldermen at the public
expense, and plenty of Croton water TO ALL the rich
and the poor, the poor washerwoman at the corner
of Mott street, well as Alderman Purdy.
This has been the bond of Union-this has been
been the true creating and governing Principle of
the American Republican Party. The great mass
of the people want reform-frst municipal reform
and then all the necessary reforms. This explains
the apparently miraculous growth of this party
without any great orators-any great leaders--any
great party organization II has been the sponta-
neous bursting forth of the popular disgust at the
conduct of corrupt wings and locofocos, and the
popular desire aud determination TO obtain reform
And now let the men who have been tacitly per-
mitted TO act the mouth piece of the movement,
and its temporary leaders, look well to it, that they
be faithful prudent and animated by the feeling and
principle, which have created them mouthpeces and
leaders Let no petty schemes of individual advan-
tage-no spirit of rivalry-no longings for the pow
er of dictation-no evil influences from without or
from within-be allowed to impede the progress of
this great movement Mr. Summons must take
care, and so must all his associates. We shall care
fully observe them There must be no sort of in.
reference Of one ward with the management of
the affairs of another. Let each ward be allow
ed TO conduct the business of its own organi-
zation without dictatlon from other quarters
And let the speakers direct their attention more to
the great question of the abuses in the city govern
ment. This is the grand raying point of the
party. Here is their strong ground. Let it be
occupied properly. The declaration of faith
emitted at the great meeting in Vauxhall
Gardens is an excellent document. 1t might
perhaps, have been more effective if it had
contained less about religious matters, and
more about the lmmediate-pressng- absorbng-
all important matter of municipal reform But
still, altogether, 1t is good paper, and we let it
pass with the seal of our approva-without a word
of veto.
On the whole, the new movement prospers, and
has bright prospects ahead We shall stick TO it
so long it goes straight onward for municipal re-
form. And we will give the same support to any
other party that sincerely and honestly labors for
the same great end. And if, after the election, and
when the American Republicans shall have the
reins of government if they fail to fulfil their pro-
misses we shall be as active and efficient in visiting
upon them the lust punishment of their nfdelity,