The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-24

puDlic man duu eduing poiitCidh"i ~" an 'i's
mense mass OF Catholic influence at his heels,
anu 10 follow his lead. The invitation which
he recently received at Washington to preach a
sermon IN the House Of Representatlyes-the
preaching of that sermon-the sermon ITSELF
are all indications of very singular and impor-
tant character. His invitation and appearance
among the Puritans at the Astor House, is even
more so-more strange, more curious, more IN
teresting
A few years ago, in the midst of the native ex-
element, whoever would have supposed that
Bishop Hughes would have been sparkling with
wit and wine, and returning thanks to toast in
honor of the Pope of Rome, in the midst of the
very Puritsns themselves, at their great anniver-
sary celebration at the Aston House His ser
mon at Washington, and his speech among the
Puritans, are only parts of the same great polit-
cal campaign by which he is reaching position
in this country similar to that which O'Connell,
whose soul, unfortunately, according to the last
accounts, is still in purgatory, attained in Ire
land.
Bishop Hughes has great talent, and much orr
ginality of mind. We always believed 50; and
everything we have done or said about him has
been intended to bring out that talent in its most
effective shape. Indeed, the Bishop has talent
enough for half dozen prelates, and could spare,
even then, somethingto make up a Cardinal, or
to add to the wisdom of a Pope. He is undoubt-
eddy the most wonderful man that the Roman
Catholic Church ever threw from Its bosom in
the United States.
The position of Bishop Hughes-as public
man, as politician, as a centre of influence
very effective in every way, but particularly so
at electons-is beginning to be understood by
the politicians of all parties The ebullitions of
the native excitement have only furnished him
with power and weapons calculated to influence
the minds of the great political leaders of the
day. Why did so many members of Congress,
headed by John Quincy Adams, unite in in
viting this Catholic preate to preach sermon
in the House of Representatives. Why did the
Puritan fathers of the New England Society,
headed by Father Grinnell, and tailed by Father
Hoxie, invite the Bishop to dinner at the
Astor House? Because they wanted TO con-
ciliate the friendship and kind feelings of Bishop
Hughes, whose position influences at least two or
three hundred thousand Catholic voters through
out this extensive country. There are, probably,
in this country, over million of Catholics, of
both sexes. Out of this number, about two
hundred thousand are legal voters Now, in a
close presidential contest, the control or infiu-
ence over this body of men determines who is to
be President
This is the remarkable position which Bishop
Hughes has reached after many years of toll, and
trouble, and prayers, and masses, and speeches,
and agitations, and sermons, winding up with
his last famous speech in the Astor House,
Al H.
preached in the House of Representatives. In
deed, we are not sure but this prelate's speech
on that occasion, was much better than the SER
mont is certainly much better than the long
prosy Grafton of Prescott Hall, or the silly say
ings of the =" glorious Joe Hoxie."
Cave johnson and the Mails-Public
Meeting.
Pursuant to cs numerously signed by the merchants
of this CITY, public meeting took place yesterday, at
the Merchants Exchange for the purpose OF giving an
expression Of opinion by the Of New York. In
relation to the in which the affairs Of the Post
Office Department of the government are at present
conducted.
The meeting was called to order at half-past two
O'Clock Mr.. Stewart Brown appointed chairman,
and Ms''r'' s. M b'''''k and w. p, Townsend So
oretaries.
House Of Representatives then read to the meet
ing a@
MEMORIAL TO THE SENATE HOUSE REPRESENT.
ATvEs THE UNITED STATES.
The merchants Of New York, and others respectfully
represent to the Congress of the United States that In
eli our business transactions with New Orleans and
other Southern cties We labor under great and ssous
embarrassment In consequence Of tho extraordinary de-
lays and arrangements Of the mails.
The great mail from this city should leave New York
every evening" at hour sufficiently late to take from
tnl tho kxa
the day. and then be hurried on South and West with
all the rapidly Of steam power and account ofs vast
importance 20 an our ieSw c.ens an
mall Is delayed whole night in Philadelphia.
This mail too, when It leaves this city, should seek
the shortest and most certain routes southwark where
as now the and delay Of whole business day. II
seeks the orcutous route Of Chesapeake Bay and
Xr.n, the Post once Department, Without regard to
expense should mover suffer private competition to beat
day after day, and regularly its own gctlrnment mails
the whole eommsrcia and agricultural Ssmmunity the
prey Of speculation. Ocoasienal triunphs Of private
the CIV, mall,
lar the Post Office Department not onl its utility
to the public but becomes positive injury: First from
patsd markets and prices, and second from its being
monopoly against which NOT allowed by law, to
organize Systematic composition.
or to inquire into the Of these and injuries
to u.s. for that oheery refer to the consideration Of
your 000oroDo D00leo; out We re0peCtIWH ap
plostion of an immediate remedy or q entre repeal
On this great southern route Of all the
sstabshmsnt Of private mails 80 thstwe can protect
ourselves from the evils under which uoF sur We
are satsd that ourselves organss this great
route mail which shall gain three daysupon the exist
ing mail transportation and also reduce the postsges
but We have desire TO engage IN any such underta
King Congress the Postmaster 0ensfAl will exercise
the constitutional powers Of the gcvsr.snt and save
Vi from speculation misinformati0u - which are
now daily subject when, on the mosS important mail
route Of the Union every Atlantic c At the mercy
Of few who alone have the SOURCES o. rsfsrmation
nnsrtainipg snoh views - these whi0 light be great
" enlarged upon We submit the followin Esscuons;
Fr That the preeeedinps of this meeting % present.
81 - saoh House Of Congress- to the PrdSnt Of the
United States, and the Postmaster GeneI2
Second, That their early and immedie4 attention be
invited to this important subject.
As soon a. the memorial read and ben the ques
ton On - adoption IVES about 10 be taktn< the
Hen. - RAnHey ruae ame eoid that bad An add
tiDnao resolution 10 o1ofg wAs6hhe req 0filews-
Resolved That the Congress Of the United States be
respectfully reminded of the fact that the public faith
plsdged by repeated decsrationn that while doubt
lk.kfo-