The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-27

yesterday morning at early hour and, but for the
thick eather, would have been In port the night
previous. She left Southampton docks on the 18th
INST, at noon, and has consequently performed
very successful voyage Of l3i days, nine Of which
she encountered strong westerly winds and heavy
seas. She brings 81 passengers, and a cargo of
about 500 tens measurement, principally of very
valuable French manufactures suitable TO- the
New York markets.
Since the repairs done to the machinery of the
United States, at Southampton, the performance
of the vessel has been admirable, and we are GER
tain that she will now take her station as one
of the finest ocean steamers afoat The al
teTatons that have been effected were done at
the steam factory of Messrs. Smith and Ashley,
of Cross House Works, Southampton, under
the superntepdence cf George Mills, ESQ.,,
Engneer-In- Chief of the Royal West India Mail
Steam Packet Company, and Mr.. Spencer, the first
engineer ofthe "United States" The machluery
of this noble ship was pronounced by the English
engineers to be OF very first rate construction
and It's general principle was much approved of.
To prevent any misapprehenson OF the exact ma
ture of the alterations that it was found necessa.
~ to perform at Southampton, we may state that
the bosses on the condenser, in which the main
centres of the engines work, carrying the side le
vers had cracked, and II was desirable, therefore,
to strengthen them. Some of the English and
American papers have stated that the defect was
In the condensers themselves not being properly
made or proporhoped but this was not the case,
and we cannot, therefore, give too wide publicl-
ty to the real cause of the detention Of the United
States. The mIshap, itself, was a slight one, and
one liable to occur to any large steamer. Unfortu-
nately the defect was at the bottom OF the machi-
merry, and the displacement and putting together
ofthe large and heavy portions of the engines oc-
cupied as much time as the actual repairs-hence,
the long delay at Southampton.
We congratulate Capt Hackstaff upon his reap
pearance at New York, and offer him our condo
ence for the vexaiion he has experienced during
his unpleasant and troublesome time at Souhamp-
ton We are indebted to the politeness of the vete-
ran Captain, and to Mr.. E. Wright, the gentleman
ly purser of the ship for their attention in taking
charge of our European dispatches, and for hav-
ing them promptly delivered.
We learn that the owners of the United States
have determined to send her on the anticipated
trip TO New Orleans, and have appointed Satur-
day, the 4th of November, the day of sailing
She will return to this port and resume her course
between Southampton, Havre and this city
The DECLINE OF THE CAUCUS SYsrEM.-The DO
siion of the rival parties thus city, In regard to
the coming elections, presents most curious and
amusing spectacle. The rage for office has over
come all party considerations, and there Is the
most laughable scramble among the politicians
ever witnessed on the eve of general election
The various candidates are lmplacable, memorable,
impracticable. Their Jeaousies boil over every
night, like an over-ful pot of small potatoes over
strong fire; and the consequence will be, that
nobody will know, except the immediate adhe-
rents of each candidate, who is up for office, who
is to be voted for general principles, or who Is
to be scratched. Never has there been such fer
ment in the beer shops never such suffering and
efervescence in barrooms and grog- cellars, never
such rich shindies and rows In committee rooms
and primary meetings. Cass, Taylor, and Van
Overwhelmingly, whggery, and free sollsm-
are lost sight OF in the general scrmmage, and
each man doubles his fist for his own personal adj
vantage, or that of those who he thinks, will
secure It, This state of things renders the result
of the election so uncertain that no opinion can
be hazarded upon it.
In most of the Congressional districts of this
city, besides the candidates of the three PARTIES
wings, hunkers, and free coil men-there are indie
pendent candidates, upon whom the prayers,
threats, expostulations, and beseechlngs of the
friends of regular nomlnatlo ms and caucus candl-
dates, seem to have no effect whatever. And where
there is independent candidate, there is yet
such bitter blood. such jealousy and animos,ty,
that, however smooth nomination may look upon
the surface, there is telling in what direction
IL
sweeping-may sway the result
IN the fourth district, the friends of Mr.. Robin
charge unfairness the adherents of Mr..
Underhill, the successful candidate for the wing
nomination, and are determined to contest 1t be-
fore the people, If Mr.. Underhi be not with
drawn.
In the fifth district, In addition to the troubles
among the wings, fight RACES, desperate and re-
lentless, between the advocates of Daniel e.
Sick les and those OF Mike Walsh, for the bunker
nomination.
In the sixth district, the friends Of Colonel
Monroe, it may be imagined, feel rather indignant
at their candidate being set aside for Mr.. Brooks
OF the Express, man who has as much chance of
election to Congress DIS he has of an election to
the College of Cardinals.
OF the independent movements in the other
wards, we cannot keep count. They are daily
nightly-almost hourly. The game of the politl-
clans j. in state of inextncabe and laughabe
confusion.
This rebellion against party dctation is not
confined to this State. 1t is now pretty certain
that the liberal and progressive wings OF the fifth
district of New Jersey about to nominate a
candidate in opposition to James G. King, the
1.s. II al Il
Liberal, narrow-minded wings OF that district
Should Mr.. Wright, who is one of the most popular
men IN the State, accept the independent nomlna-
ton, the Wall street turkey may go to roost.
This spirit of insubordination to party tramme
is the natural consequence of the Baltimore and
Philadelphia conventions 1t is merely following,