The New York herald., 1844-08-31
The Presidential Contest-State OF the
Country.


Country.
Whilst the country in all it's elements Of prosper
ity and greatness is advancing with unexampled ra-
pdy the great political contest goes on also with
great spirit and vigor and promises to be attended
almost by as much excitement and agitation as that
of lSlo which resulted in the triumph Of the Wings
by an immense majority. In the South and South
west the struggle is carried with remarkable
keenness, and here al the North within the last
month the feeling of both parties has increased very
much in intensity and bitterness Nothing is
thought Of or talked of, but the presidential elec
tion and the relative chances of the candidates are
the subject Of universal speculation and enquiry.
1t very clear that the wings have the brightest
prospects in this State, and here, we have more
than once stated, from all tina. can learn, will
be the scene Of the great decisive struggle As
every one possessed Of ordinary sagacity foresaw
the defeat of Mr.. Van Buren at the Baltimore Con-
vention, has proved heavy blow and sore discou-
ragement to the Democratic party in this State.
The leaders have never recovered from the shock.
A strong effort has been made to arouse the " un-
terrified democracy" but it has, generally speak
ing, failed Every one can see that the agitation
is not conducted and managed under the same in
huentlal guidance as in former days. The most
active instrumentality present in the field for Mr.
Polk, appears to be that of the :" Empire Club
of the extent of whose powers to aid the cause,
and of the value Of whose agency, we believe
not very many require special enlightenment.
We miss the great guns at the public meetings Of
the democracy. The sceptre Of old Tammany
appears TO have been idly cast away, and neithe
in the newspaper organs, nor in the popular gather
ngs do we recognize that dignfed, bold, confident
and authoritative tone and character which distn
gulshed them in other days II has been found
impossible to subdue the lnkewarmness, and more
than this, the feeling of disapprobaton with which
the nomination Of Mr.. Polk has been regarded in
this region.
The cedness and apathy Of the old -pullers,
offics-seekers, and leaders of the democrats, who
were accustomed to rally with such enthusiasm
under the banner Of Martin Van Buren,, are read-
y explained. These leaders argue, with what
good reason, let our readers judge, that If Mr.
Clay be elected. they will have much better
chance OF arranging the succession in 1S4S to this
succession, than if Mr.. Polk were to succeed. In
case Of Mr.. Folks success, the old section Of
the party here at the north, might, indeed,
inscribe "Ichabod" on their banner, for assured
ly their power and glory would be departed forev-
err so FAR as they of this generation concern
GU. WI. OdlnOun WOulu De endUieu tHcn 10 eAtln-
gush the last embers of his antagonists in the de
mocratic ranks. But II Mr.. Clay be elected, these
politicians argue, and with what reason let our
readers also Judge, that the whig party could not
possibly hold together more than the four years OF
his administraton-they would go to pieces-du-
ring that time the plans Of the leaders of the "de-
mocracie" in this latitude could be properly ma
tured-and in 1S4S they might very probably calcu-
late as assuming the sceptre Of power
Thus we have explained the present apathy and
Indifference and want of enthusiasm which pre-
vail in the camp of the Democrats Of this great
State. The Wings are on the contrary, united.
jealous, and diligen Still, although the prospect
thus looks cheering for the Wings, tits very hazard
Gus to attempt any thing like positive calculations
OF the result. The returns from the various States
heard from are besides, after all, somewhat decep-
tive. Many local circumstances operate in mod-
fying the result Of gubernaorial or State legsIa
nve election, that we can hardly make with posi-
tveness deductions from their relation 10 the issue
OF the general election in the fall.
An impartial and candid review of the whole
ground then leads US to conclude that the contt ct
will be exceedingly hot and close, and that at pre-
sent the chances are in favor Of Mr. Clay A few
weeks may however change the whole aspeet OF
affairs, and amongst other matters OF whose proba-
bic operation we cannot just now Judge, is the last
letter Of Mr.. Clay on annexation.