The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-04-03


New York, Thu, sday, April 3, Is4S.
The NEW Popular movement and the Wall
Street Press.
The great popular movement in opposition to the
influence of all religious sectarianism in politica
contests, and for the conservation and advance
ment Of the original principles of the constitution
originated by the democratic wings at National
Hall, continues to progress with degree OF strength
and enthusiasm such we have rarely, IT ever,
witnessed amongst the masses Of the people. Mr..
Selden attracts in every ward immense audiences,
amongst which many of the locofocos and great
numbers of neural men mingle. so lar as popular
feeling and sympathy go, this new progressive
movement OF the ~hg party carries win II the
most encouraging Indications OF future success and
triumph.
One Of the most remarkable features OF this
movement is presented IN its action on the Wall
street press. The Courier and Enquirer, which,
for heightened period, has affected to represent
the wing party, has been denounced in the most
pointed, indignant and determined manner in a
number Of the wards, and the determination to re-.
pudiae entirely. the Wall street organs, appears to
have been resolutely formed by the masses OF the
wings of this city. THIS is, indeed, sngularly sig
nlficant This discovers, in the best possible man.
ner, that the present movement is practical one
that II is the growth of no ephemeral, local, tran
STORY excitemeAt,-but that il is the work OF great
original principles, operating on the popular mind,
aid directing it TO new, energetic, and enlightened
curse of action with respect to political affairs
We are thus informed in the most unequivocal
manner that the wing masses are determined NO
longer to submit to The dictation of press con.
Quoted on the aniiquated and exploded notions Of
past age-that there is in fact now in progress,
general up heaving Of the original elements of So
ciety, like that up-heaving of the crust OF the earth
which Professor Lyell describes
The wings Of this city, then, are now awakening
to full conviction Of that truth which we have
been enforcing upon them for years-that this Wall
street press, with its controlling stock jobbng in
fuences, was their worst enemy. Has not the
whole history of that press shown that it was an
agency full of mischief and evil to the wing cause
Take the Courier for example. Has it had one single
characteristic which should save it from the de.
nunciations now poured out against it by the party
it professed to serve Not one. This vasciatng,
Inconsistent, wavering, unstable, intriguing, sci
fish course, has been notorious. II has shifted and
twisted, and turned, and played such fantastic
least poor whigism weep. In all the elements
which constitute servicable party organ, the
Courier has been utterly wanting. A newspaper,
to be the efficient ally of political party, must
possess an influence on public opinion. But what
power Of conrollng, or directing, creating popu-
lar impulses, can such paper as the Courier
the organ OF mere clique of dabblers and gamb-
lers in stocks,-possess None. The only
healthy and effective popular movement to
which it has ever contributed is that just now
commenced, which will, we are conf
dent, ultimately rid the wing party of the mis-
chievous influence that the Courier has produced
by its more than usually mpudent attempt to inter-
fere with the purposes of the wing masses.
If the new revolution, originated by Mr.. Selden,
were to produce no other good to the wings, than
this decided and enthusiastic condemnation and
reputation of the Wall street press, they would
indeed have abundant cause for rejoicing. Wing.
ism is apparently in transition state, becom-
ing the true progressive democracy of the age -
This cutting loose fromhe corrupt and treacherous
stock obbing organs of Wall street, is one of the
most encouraging tokens OF the change that we
have yet seen.
MAYOR HARrsR's MAHrrRsro.-His Honor the
a report that he had made speeches In the wards
a very unnecessary contradiction, as no one said
that he had, except somebody in an obscure penny
paper. But if Mr. Harper has not made speeches
In the wards, he has made speeches to Occupations
from the wards, occasionally, by deputies selected
from his Manhals, who have always speech rea-
dy for him, either on their tongue or in their
pocket
His Honor, however, takes occasion to speak,
in this manifesto, of his great achievements in of
flee, in serving his constituents, at whose expense
he soemnly declares he has eaten only one meal.
Pray, what has Mr.. Harper really done? We
know of no official act Of his important enough to
be named, except the immortal project of the tin.
pans fastened to stakes round the Park Fountain,
on the fourth of July. Mr.. Harper is indeed, az a
private citizen, most excellent, moral and pioue
man. But he is much more at home, and finds
much more appropriate sphere for the exercise OF
his talents, the head Of publishing house, chat
ting with authors joking with the craft at trade
saes, retailing his anecdotes, with his feet up.
by the side Of cheerful winters fire, than as the
chief magistrate Of the great metropolis of the
Union. For the management of the troublesome.
complex and important municipal affairs of the
city Of New York, he is altogether untitled and in
competent.
The RECENT FARcIcAL DUEL IN PHILADELPHIA
There is great deal of talk about the farcical
duel, or attempt at duel in Philadelphia, in which
Colonel Webb, according to all accounts, figured
as one of the seconds. The Colonel appears to have
forgotten the peculiar position in which he stand.
with respectto the law against duelling He was
saved from the State Prison fori6ghting duel, only
on his solemn pledge that he never would in any
case offend in that way. But in wanton violation
of this engagement, we find him again trerpassine
against the laws, by becoming "a party to hostile
meeting between two young fools. He may possibly
attempt to excuse himself, by saying that he went
on the ground as peace-maker. But that would
be most ridiculous plea. An honorable and wise
peace-maker would have taken very different
course