The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-16

Ex-tovHkNok SEWARD'S LIrrER.-A very extra
ordinary, ingenious, and singular letter on the poll
teal and philosophical movements Of the day, has
been published by Governor Seward. II will be
found in this days paper. This letter was written
In reply to some inquiries made by committee, in
reference to his being a candidate for the State
Convention. 1t contains some OF the most peculiar
opinions of the day, embracing also a little social
ism, little Fourersm, litte transcendentalism,
little abolltionism, and lew other isns.
Singuary enough, Mr.. Seward processes to be
one OF those men who pretend to advance the cause
of civilization by peaceful gentle, and moral means
This is The corner stone of their principles Yet in
the midst of this ideallzing, he comes out tor the
whole OF Oregon, position which leads positively
TO war; as much as declaration TO that effect would
do. Such inconsistency savors more of demagogue-
ism than 1t does OF philosophy or profound states
manship The philosophical statesman has a mind
to compare great principles, from their origin to
their termination. The demagogue Is mingled up
IN state OF contradictions and Inconsistencies To
which OF these two classes of great men Mr.. Sc
ward belongs, let every candid reader of his letter
decide.
CASTLE GARDEN.-The communication Of the
Secretary OF War to our city government in regard
to the use OF Castle Garden, took the city by sur
prise, and created some little excitement. Many
laughed at the idea of armng the old fort, and one
OF the city fathers INDUCED considerable merri-
ment at the idea, saying that the shock of cannon
fired from them would shake the old walls down.
We do not understand the communication of the
Secretary OF War as intending to request the use
and preparation Of the fort as a fertilization, but
merely as drill room, in which our citizen soldiers
could improve themselves and prepare for any
emergency, highly necessary in these uncertain
times. The garden is intended TO be a sort OF a
"makeready" place-the fir ng, if any thers be, to
be done elsewhere. The action of Secretary Marcy
IN this case is entirely at the urgent request of the
general officers of our State troops and is, we
think, OF nature to deserve the thanks Of our ci
zens. In peace prepare for war"
GLORY OF seEINo BEATEN.-The getting up and
falling OF the pilot.boat enterprise is occupying the
spare time and talents Of those who were concern.
ed IN 1t. They glorify much over it as it it
were great feat to be beaten. The Tribune phio-
sopher amuses himself by publishing the extraordi-
nary incidents Of the voyage, in the same manner
that he would ii it were magnificent piece of sue
cess, instead Of complete failure, as it was These
editors, to whom we have gwen few lessons in
enterprise, TO be utterly bewildered about run
ming expresses, and in their antics commit some
strange FRANKS. They had formed very extensive
plan of arrangements with each other to beat the
Herald IN the foreign news some time since but
as we concluded not to run an express on that &C.
casion, they had the field open to themselves,
without opposition. They had made their calcula-
lions and arrangements /; but the best of the joke
was, that some of them made second arrange
ment to run a second express, for the purpose, we
suppose, Of trying to beat themselves. We have
heard Of the impossibility of man biting his own
nose but this comes nearer to it than anything yet
Town ELECTIONS IN Commemorative have re-
ceiyed returns from nearly all the towns In Connec-
tlcut, which made choice at the first election. 1t
will be remembered that there were 43 members Of
the House of Representatives to be elected, and that
it was necessary for the democrats to carry eleven
of these to secure majority on Joint ballot and thus