The New York herald., 1845-03-15
The Great SVhIg Meeting Next Tuesday.


The Great Vhig Meeting Next Tuesday.
good deal of curiosity has been excited rela-
tive to the great whig meeting preparatory TO the
election, which is to come off on next Tuesday,
at National Hall. The greatest degree of interest,
indeed, row attaches to the movements of the
two parties opposed to the locofocos-the whig
branch and the "naiive" branch, that seem to be
coatending who shall destroy each other, SO as TO
occupy proper position for future operations.
We have already alluded to the rumor, that Mr.
Selden, the nominee of the wings for Mayor, in.
tends to come before his constituents next Tues
day. and exhibit his views and opinions relative to
the municipal government. He isa capital speaker,
an eloquent and powerful debater, and we have
no doubt that he will cut up and show of the i'm
beciliy and worthlessness OF the present Corpora
lion, with great skill and ability, presenting them
in the most fagrant light. 1t is not SO certain,
however, what he will say, relative to the religious
question involved in this contest, and which ap-
pears to be the principal element of the " native'
party new in existence in this city, and some other
cities of the United States We believe that a
most important crisis is at hand, in relation to this
matter affecting religious liberty and religious
rights, and the settlement of the interesting and
important question, whether religion is to become
an element in political contests, and if so, whether
the present age is not going backward instead OF
forward in liberty and civilization.
This is, indeed, great crisis. The original
movement,-from which all the recent events in
Philadelphia and delscwhere-the burning OF church.
es, the murder of citizens in open day, and all the
other fearful atrocities which are fresh in the public
in this city, and it is here
where it is to be determined whether it is to be
ended now, or whether we are only in the COM
mencement of new series of atrocities, similar
TO those which characterized former ages. Every
one knows the origin of the deplorable events to
which we have alluded. Contrary to all principles
ol prudence and common sagacy, a prelate of the
Catholic Church, John Hughes by name,- man
who possesses more OF the demagogue than the
chrlstIan,-hrst commenced the agitation, and
aroused the sectarian feelings of his congregation
by arrayng them as a separate political party,
and haranguing them in the most exciting manner,
with the view of giving an impulse to political af-
fairs, isolated point, relative to the introduc-
ton of some particular translation of the Holy
Scriptures in the schools. We are well aware,
and every one Is aware, that this movement oi
Bishop Hughes was deprecated by the great body
OF the Catholic Clergy in this city and throughout
the country, ry,-deprecated even by the mass of his
own people, and that nothing but his position, his
pertinacty, aud the ecclesiastical power welded
by him, could have thus far saved him from merit
ed degradation in his own Church, as the necessary
consequence Of such conduct in this free country.
The attempt thus made by the Cathocs-a
mere fragment, however, of that respectable body
of christians-led on by Bishop Hughes, furnished
the groundwork for another sect of christians,
Presbyterians and some small portion of the Me-
thodlsts, on which TO commence a coun:eY-move-
ment, under the name of the "native" party, en-
bracing every species of antiPopish, anti Catholic
agitation, and almost reminding us Of the bloody
times of the 14'h and 18th centuries. That secta-
rian movement, however, would have had but a
transient existence, and never could have attained
Its subsequent Importance, but for the circumstance
that blended with its follies, in the sensible pur.
pose of city and municipal reform. This union OF
adverse ideas and Influences, combined with the
peculiar position Of the whig party, previous to an
important Presidential election, served to give the
'native" party majority in this city at the spring
election last year, and under the cry of reform they
succession OF acts OF faithessness, mbecility,
weakness, corruption, folly and extravagance, in
every department OF the municipal government cl
New York. No party ever possessed power for 70
short time, yet succeeded so completely as this
native party has, in disgusting the great mass OF
Independent people, we believe, indeed, that Al
lhis tIme Tho "aatives" arc reduced 10 the mere