The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-06

characteristics which give II an an Oh hoseiy its
beginning differs altogether from that OF the Harr
son campaign. The old Harrison campaign was
peculiar in associating with its symbols and rites
and movements such things -cabins-hard
cider-door laiches-coon skins-and variety Of
other compion and often vulgar objects familiar to
the eye and tastes of the lowest grades OF human
life. And these insignia were indeed symbolic Of
the entire campaign 1t was marked throughout
by great deal Of drunken revelry-mirth, wit and
humor of the lowest kind-songs alike destitute of
poetry and propriety-and orations delivered by
itinerant orators only fit to Sickle the OF the
groundlings." From beginning to end that was
vulgar and debasng system OF tactics, and Partook
good deal Of the vulgarities and bacchanallan
revelries of the previous Hickory campaigns.
But now, the whole system appears te be
changed This first demonstration in New York
announces the adoption Of entirely different set
Of tactics and the probability is, that thus one and
the same character will be given to the whole
campaign throughout the Union. Indeed, there
was preliminary movement, consonant with this,
in Maryland, at the recent election. We allude
to the very admirable brochure, published by the
Harpers, and written by the Hon. Mr.. Kennedy, of
Maryland, in which great deal of literary taste.
philosophic remark, and elevated sentiment were
squeezed into the service of the wing cause. The
was taken from that, and the new scheme of tao
tics has been now more fully evolved in this city
at the recent celebration in the Tabernacle. And
very striking fact, in connection with this alter
ed complexion Of the wing movement, and which
meets us at the very threshold is, that they COM
mence this campaign, not from public hall-not
from the Broadway House-not from any place
reeking with tobacco smoke and the fumes of
brandy, but from sort of semi-sanctuary-a half
and half church-a sort of building that is one
third for God, and two-thirds for Mammon-the
Rev. Mr. Hale's Broadway Tabernacle. This is
certainly very significant fact
But the most plain and Ineligible indication Of
the mighty change which has come over the spirit
of the wing campaigners, is found in the very
extraordinary Grafton, discourse, or sermon, de-
livered by Mr.. Bacon. This was certainly very
curious affair. The great mass of the Clay
men-more especially the elder men of the
eary-the last generation, as Mr.. Bacon
would call them-did not know well what
to make of it. 1t is admixture of tran
scendentasm, Carlysleism, and Fourersm,
dashed with plentiful sprnklng Of what some
people would call very irreverant quotations of
scripture. There is a vagueness dreaminess, in
dlstincness, wandering Thought and idea through
out the whole Grafton, which, render its compre-
hension about as easy as that of the defamation
of some of the German rationasts. In the days
of Addison and Steele it would have been called
fustian and bombast and certainly nothing could
be more unlike the pure, manly, forceful and ex-
pressive style of the polished and effective writer's
of that day, than this f1ashy bead-roll of common
places culled from Carlyle, Emerson, and the
Dial" The dedication of Mr. Clay, and all the
high sounding defamation about his embodying
the virtues and character of the age, smack most
unequivocally of Fourierism, and the manner in
which the numerous scripture texts were used and
applied, also indicated very conclusively the pro-
gress which the orator has made in the new school
of enlightened, untrammelled, independent philo-
sophy of which Fourier, Brisbane and Greeley are
the chosen apostles. 1t would be difficult indeed,
to imagine any thing more different from the plain,
matter ofact, PRACTICAL out-and-out political spec
ches, in which the old wings were accustomed to
set forth the merits and claims of their leader, than
this grandiloquent Grafton by Mr.. Bacon. At all
events, this is new, and in many respects very
convenient mode of conducting the canvass for
Harry of the West Instead of entering into any
examination of the soundness of his principles, or
the wisdom Of his policy the great questions af
fecting the welfare and prosperity OF the country,
the Clay orators will henceforth have nothing to
do but cut leaf or two from Carlysle on &c Hero
Worship" Gull half dozen good transcendental
phrases from the "Indicator pick out score or two
pretty texts from Isaiah and the Songs Of Solomon
and then launch out into high-fown discourse
about the I" spirit of the age"-" the long vainy-
sought ideal''-" the purpose of the time"-" the
mani" the destiny" the hour" the incar-
nation of the century," the embodiment of the
time" the foreshadowings of the future''-" the
consummation''-'' the garniture Of JUSTICE" the
panopy of faith" the consecrated host''-and
any quantity of {" buge-blasts," ''serried lines"
warehouses;" " trumpet-tones," and "warriors
rushing TO the charge.''
Well, we are not disposed to find fault with this
way OF doing the business. On the contrary, we
think it decided improvement on the old system,
and every way superior to the low vulgar, hard c-
der and coonskin tactics. The songs, too, now
introduced, are marked by refinement and elegant
sentiment. They have some poetry and can be
sung in the presence of ladies' The whole bust
ness of wing campaigning it is clear, has under
gone complete metamorphoss.
What are the causes of all this We see the
same men-the same machinery-the same mate
rails Joe Hoxie, Horace Greeley, and all those
men who in the former campaign took their part
in the reves and songs, and orgies of that season,
are still here. But still all is changed. What,
then, is the influence which has thus altered the
entire character and complexion of the wing move
ment! 1t must be the new philosophy which has
been so indusriously propogated in the columns of
the Tribune. This is very clear. We see the i'm
press of this revelation in the orations, in the
songs, in every thing. The results will be exceed
nsly interesting. The new movement may have
more refinement, but less matter of fact-more
philosophy, but less truthmore rhetorical flourish,
but less substance than the old. However, let us
watch its progress, and see how the philosophc
agencies of Fourierism will ultimately affect the
fortunes of that sublime incarnation of the age,
and consequently the most magnificent loafer in all
creation-Henry Clay.