The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-03

northwest corner OF Nassau and Fulton
PoLITIcA. MovEMENrs-THE RIGHTS OF AMEKI-
SEAMEN.-The present week will be full of bust
ling, preliminary movements in view of the election
on Tuesday week. Besides the great movements of
the two parties-the wings and democrats-there are
AT present variety of minor but less important
movements which add immenselyto the amusement,
interest, and philosophy OF the whole business
The wings hold their great meeting tomorrow
night, at National Hall, when they VIII break
ground for the election and issue their general
manifesto. II is likely that the wings will, on
this occasion, confne themselves TO the municipal
affairs OF the city, and refrain from making their
usual savage attacks on Captain Tyler. This is, at
ali events, their best policy, and as there is quite
number of men OF discretion amongst them, our
opinion that they will keep cool and sober, will
probably prove correct The democrats are endea
voring with praseworthy regard to the scriptural
precept, recomme nding charity and broherly love,
10 pour oil upon the troubled waters to heal the
breaches and settle the difficulties which e.ist in
many of the wards. But they find many obstacles
in this work, and may not be able to accomplish it.
Their general meeting will probably be held on
Thursday or Friday, when we shall hear what they
have got TO say for themselves
These are the movements of the two great regu-
larry organized parties but there are various ee-
ments at work, which have diversified and impor-
tant bearing the In the first place, we
have the 'young democracie," rather favorable to
Tyler and opposed TO Van Buren,. They will en-
deavor TO make much noise possible, and in
deed have already given us a very respectable
"spice OF their quality They will doubtless
effect some organization, as to check their an
tagonsts, and perhaps secure for John Tyler foot
hold in the democratic ranks. But there is il seems
great deal of difference of opinion on this subject
The office holders, who want to be as quiet as pos
slble, creating disturbance, but keeping as mum
as nice in the bowels of the cheese--want to
emerge themselves in the democratic party, and
gain the friendly shade of its forest shelter But it
is very possible that the democrats opposed to Van
Buren,, may unite and take decisive course AL
ready Steps have been taken by Van Burens friends
TO get up a great meeting at Tammany Hail. after
the city election, for the purpose of nominating him
the Presidential candidate If the friends of the
other democratic candidates do not look sharp they
WILL be bound hand and foot and clrried into this
movement.
But beside all these, new element, which pro-
misses TO exercise tremendous influence, has made
Its appearance. strong effort is about to be made
to agitate the numerous class of American seamen
be at all surprised, if this agitation should entirely
alter the aspect of political matters in this city, and
throughout the Union.
The questions involved in this remark able agita-
ton, are questions whose interest comes home to
the bosom and business OF every mariner connected
with the navy and merchant service of this coun-
try. The rights, liberties, and lives of our seamen,
the subject matter of this movement. And the
thotth III
useful class of our citizens, have been heretofore
quite too little thought Of quite toe much disre
garded. They have been treated rather as pieces
of neutrality-suspicious. asythe planks and cordage of
the ships in which they SAIL than as human beings
and freemen. 1t is time that their rights should be
clearly Defined and that they should learn whether
they entitled to all the safeguards and privileges
OF American ciz nship, the slaves of a despo
tic and uncontrolled authority. And the political
leaders may depend upon it, that the seamen have
been efiectuay aroused TO sense of their
duty at this crisis, and that the agitation of these
questions will awaken and enlist the sympathesnot
only of those whose liberties and lives are involved
in them, but also those of an immense mass of the
community, who love universal freedom, and are
wisely jealous OF the encroachments of any priv-
legged order or classes, on the inalienabe and well
settled rights conferred the people of the United
States by the Constitution.
If this agitation be conducted with proper discre-
ton and zealand there is too much philanthropy,
too much justice, too much hatred of oppression in
the community, to doubt that it will be so conduct
ed-resus of the most remarkable character will
follow, and the heartlessness and self-nteresed
feelings of trading politicians will meet chastise-
ment of which they little dream. The movement
is noble one. 1t is oRen which every true friend
ofberty andustice and large and mertorious class
OF men, TO whom the safety of the nation, COM
merce and civilization arelso,ncalculsby indebted,
must feel the deepest interest. We shall watch its
progress with the greatest concern
NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY The Legislature of