The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-20

I
State forming the democratic pary--tbe old hunk
ers and the barnburners, as they are caled--have
held private meetings in this city, on their way
! Baltimore to meet the other members Of the gen.
cral convention there. There has been good deal
Of commotion about Tammany Hall and the oyster
cellars, and also some excitement among the poll
ticians, In relation to these doings. The general
inquiry has been, what candidate each faction is
In favor of, and what policy it means to pursue
on reaching the convention. There has been some
difficulty in procuring information of this kind in
consequence of the secrecy with which these pri-
vate meetings have been held. Yet leaks have been
discovered. The delegates of the bunker party
have made particular developments in favor of
any candidate, although many of the members are
known to be favorable to the nomination of &C.
neral Glass; who, is said has l2O votes for him in
the convention. Their most prominent principle of
action seems to be hostility and hatred to the barn.
burners, the Wimot proviso, and mulatto democ-
racy of various shades. Their love and affection
have been most unequivocaly shown to be of the
highest quality, and of the greatest strength to-
wards the spois of Office portion of the annual
expenditures of the fifty millions of dollars made
by the administration. This faction processes to be
decidedly in favor of the institution of slavery
being extended into new territory and new
acquisitions under the treaty with Mexico.
The delegates generally old politicians and old
Office holders, many of whom have grown rich on
the spoils of Office and who wish to retain possess
sion still of the control of the government and the
direction of affairs in high places. Mr.. Polk pro-
badly is their first choice as a candidate although
many of them profess to be in favor of General
Cass.
The barnburners, as they are now developed,
consist of the backbone vertebra, of the old Van
Buren, interest in this State, which became very
respondent on the fall of that dynasty. In of
their previous conventions and in their journals,
| they have indicated very favorable opinion to-
wards General Taylor; but we understandMow that
from recent events, there little prospect of their
taking up that distinguished man under any circum-
stances. Their first love and particular candidate
is undoubtedly Martin Van Buren,, and the dynasty
connected with his name and fortunes; but as the
restoration of the Bourbons is almost an impos-
slbity in political affairs, on either side of the
Atlantic, We believe that they will go,as their next
choice, should they be admitted into the conven-
ton, for Thomas H. Benton. Their love for the
spolls Is probably about as strong and as pure as
that of the old hunkers. For many years past they
have been living out of the government and the
prospect of the Croton pipe being Withdrawn from
their lips, is terrible misfortune, and frghtens
them almost into Mysteries
We have no doubt that the movements sent-
mens and purposes of these factions, will have
more effect and influence on the Baltimore conven-
ton, and on the results to be produced by that bo
dy, than those of delegates from any other State
in that body. The democratic candidate for Pre-
sident stands little chance without union between
the democratic elements in this State. Whether
this union can be effected at the Baltimore conven-
ton seems to be very doubtful In the midst of
such difficulty, and the abandonment Of General
Taylor by the barn-bumers, the prospect of Mr..
Clay as prominent candidate of the wing conven-
ton, begins to revive. There is, no doubt among
the politicians of the wing party, strong personal
feeling for MI. Clay's nomination-more 80 than
for that of any other man, available or otherwise
but the qualification of that passion will depend al
together on the solution of the Wimot proviso
question in the Baltimore convention. If the barn
burners be kicked out of that body, and rumpus
be created there, the probability will be that Mr.
Clay's chances for nomination will be the best of
all others. In such contingency General Taylor,
General Scott, Mr.. Webster, and all other wing
candidates, be aside for the present. and the
two parties may again go into the election, with
Mr.. Polk or some other man, on one side and Mr.
Clay on the other.
OrRRA MovKMENTs.-Welea learn that negotiations
have been commenced, with prospect of success
full termination, between Benedict, including the
rest of the Astor Place opera troupe, and the ma
mayer of the Broadway theatre, for engagement
during short season, to begin about the middle of
next month. The music of the operas and other
appurtenances, which were at first under the con-
troll of some of the creditors Of the CT depant ma
nagers, have been liberated, and taken out of the
hands of the sheriff, and now under the control
of Benedict and his associates, thus enabling them
to give, during the short season at the Broadway
theatre, succession of some of the recent operas
with perhaps some new ones, if possible, before
the closing of that theatre on the fourth of July
next.
We shall have, therefore, according to all ap-
pearances, bit of opera season before next re-
gular season.
We have also been informed that arrangements
are making of entirely new character, and with
new men, for legitimate opera season at the Astor
Place theatre during next winter Mr. Fry, the
composer of "Leonora" a musical gentleman
from Philadelphia, has just returned from visit
to Paris and Italy. He, in conjunction with other
parties, has had several negotiations with Benedict
ii and the troupe, and there is strong probability
of an arrangement being made between them.
which will enable Mr.. Fry, as manager, during the
ensuing winter, TO open the Italian Opera in New
York, on an entirely new footing, with competent
persons, abundant means, and better skill in opera
affairs and general details The failure of the re-
cent Opera grew out of the Encouragement and
ignorance of the various secret committees and
private cabals who governed Sanqurico and Patti,
ending as 1t did in revolution, defalcaton, bank
ruptcy, reputation, &C. &c.
With regard to the late Opera management, we I'M
derstand that several of the subscribers, under the
advice OF counsel, will commence action against
the proprietors of the Astor Opera House. accord