The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-21
New York, Tuesday, December 81, ls47.
Pabiic Meetings relating to the next Presi-
dency.

of the meeting held last evening at the Iaberaa-
Gle, called by the friends of Mr. Clay, for the
purpose of responding to the famous speech re-
Gently delivered at Lexington, Kentucky.
In some respects, this movement, and all that
belongs to it, has been carried on with degree
of GOODNESS remarkably indicative of the popula-
rty of the sentiments and position of the persons
engaged in it. The great mass OF the people
seem to regard it as the last effort of imbecllty
and folly which can be expected In these days
II is as if there were anumber of little people en-
deavorng dam up the eternal current OF the Mis-
sissippi in its progress southwark to the Cult OF
Mexico. The sentiments to which Mr.. Clay has
given some currency at Lexington, are utterly
repudiated by the acting, living energetic spirits
of all parties, of the present day, III this hemis-
pierre Some respectable individuals, whose po-
litical lives have long since been dead-who have
long been bereft of all political consequence
have connected their names with Mr.. Clay s
sentiments more as sort of funeral service over
the political death of Mr.. Clay, than under the
hope of putting one step forward In the great
movement of the American people and of Ameri-
can destiny.
The sentiments Of Mr. Clay, and of those who
feel or think the same with him, can find little
or no response in the big masses Of American
mind. They might obtain the sympathy OF the
politicians and statesmen of Europe, who look
upon US with great jealousy, and feel an
unaffected chagrin at the Using greatness of the
United States, powerful and growing nation,
which will soon WELD greater power in the
civilized world than any of the old sovereign.
ties of Europe.
The meeting last night in the holy Taberna.
Gle, at the rent of one hundred dollars for the
night, was, therefore, sort of funeral service
over the political remains and ruins of the life
and prospects of Henry Clay; and as it is decent
and becoming that funeral solemn ties should be
performed with due propriety and decency, we
have, therefore, endeavored to do our part of the
ceremony, with proper feelings, and correspon-
dent with the occasion.
But in the midst of this melancholy scene
this funeral service over the ruins of the dis
tinguished Senator from Kentucky-we cannot
help turning our eyes to brighter and more In
spiriog quarter, and that is to that spot OF the
political horizon which shines with the name
aud services of plain Zachary Taylor II ap-
pears after ALL that The politicians have not been
able to succeed In driving this distinguished man
from the field 10 which he was spontaneously
called by the voice Of the people last summer, as
a cand,d,te for the presidency Our Washing
ton correspondent has sent US the following copy
of lrter id -es-ed by the old h-ro to dis
tiogush member OF Congress, from P-nnsyl-
vania This letter purp"rts 20 be a RELY 10 one
received from committee Of thar Site, acting
for a puolc meeting, which nomina ed him Tor
the presidency -
HEAD QuARrrR., AR~Y ~ OccrrArIoN.
BHAIos I'LASp. TEA Nov 2s l'47;
"I have reed the resolutions adopted by the meeting
with great pride aud pleasure; ana you to couv
TO the members OF th- meeting, suitable occasion
nv thank. for the honor they have 30 t.
tsrinely bestowed upon me-, and my assurance that
have wish intention OF changing the positt In
which stand to~ard the people Of the country In res
tion the Presidency the oour.s which have felt 1t
(signsd) q TAYLOR, Mrjor Gen U. s. A"
This is distinct and positive. 1t is much so
as that famous letter of two lines and quarter,
positively declining 10 surrender, which he wrote
to Santa Anna General Tay lor has been placed,
involuntarily as to him, in the position Of can
didate for the Presidency He has looked upon
that position as one of honor, as much so as The
position he held on the field of Buena Vista
The politicians in favor of the old, rotten, worn
out candidates of the wings or democrats, have
been trying to induce him to decline, for several
months past, and have even beeu threatening him,
as Santa Anna did, by pointing to the multiplicity
of their forces, the number and power OF their
candidates. saving it was no use Whatever ior
him to hope for the Presidency, when there were
such numerous troops of candidates on all sides
Mr.. CLAY, MIR. Van Buren,, MIR. Polk, and the
Lord knows hsw many others, In the held
General TAYLOR, however, declines to surrender
with the same promptness and bravery whlch ne
exhibited towards Santa Anna. There is ne
help for them, therefore, now; but they must &c
on and fight the battle of Buena Vista for the mex
Presidency General Taylor, with his five thou
sand friends and supporters, independent OF al
parties, is now in the field, against the many
thousands and thousands OF opposing fac
tions. We have, however, vast force In re-
serve for this distinguished man, which no tricks
OF public meetings, no intrgues OF wing or de-
mocratic politicians, can deprive him of; and that
IL, the vast majority Of the American people, who
have shown distinctly and positively that they
have a strong intention to make HIM their next
President. And now is the time to commence
action, in some method or other.
In such position of things as regards the next
Presidency, it becomes the solemn duty OF every
member oil Congress at Washington, and OF
those who are not in Congress, too, to consult
and agree upon general plan of action for t. c
few months intervening between now and the
day of decision. The old organised parties OF
whig and democrat, are making every prepare
ton for the meeting of their conventions. 1t is
even possible that one or other of them might
be driven by necessity to take up the name of
General Taylor, in order TO help their own
cause, and bind hip to carry out 'eslr own