The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-31

Apparent majority in Congress against the bill.
Total absent members. Observation-Disclosures. 81
The free soil movement, as il is called, will ter
inmate its curious career, either In sad tragedy
broad farce and that In no great length of time.
Composed of the discontinued from the two old
organised factions mixed and blended with the
old abolitonists and liberty men, with conside-
rabe sprinklng of the purltanism of the day, this
movement is beginning to throw In the shade, to a
considerable extent, the usual efforts of the old
parties, for the election of their candidates for the
Presidency, and to concentrate in Its course, a
higher degree of public attention than can be be-
slowed on either General Cass or General Taylor.
The passage of the new compromise, as 1t is
called, in the Senate, which is no compromise at
all, but merely cowardly shifting of respon-
sbility on the Supreme Court, which Con-
gress should have taken on ITSELF is one of
the elements that aids the free soil move
ment. In that bill the two old parties have
fratemized but whether the compact will be
carried out by the House of Representatives, and
subsequently confirmed at the election, seems
more doubtful. The great end and aim OF all this
movement is to be developed at the convention,
which Will assemble at Buffalo on the ninth of
next month.
Now, 1t seems that the Buffalo Convention orr
ginated in Ohio, among the disconnected poliu-
clans attached TO the fortunes of Henry Clay, and
from this faction it is supposed that many of the
free soil movements in the Northwestern States
can be traced 1t seems, therefore, that those
politicians who have been disappointed, both at
Philadelphia and Baltimore, In not receiving the
nominations OF Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.. Clay, are
now uniting with the old liberty party, in produ-
cling the movement that will place Its representa-
uves before the country at the Buffalo Convention
Thus far, Mr.. Van Buren, has the vantage ground,
having had his name presented before the country
at the convention at Utica, and by his acceptance
OF that nomination; yet, without the concurrence
of the Buffalo Convention, which is by no means
certain, considering the influence under which it
may be organized, Mr.. Van Buren, may yet be
doomed to DISAPPOINTMENT, for any ulterler pur-
poses he may have in view. The Southern influence
IN the two conventions, equally demolished Mr..
Van Buren, and Mr.. Clay; but the reaction from
this striking fact has evoked Northern senti-
ment, assuming the highest ground of morality as
regards social institution of the South, appica-
bic to the new territories This moral sentiment,
disappointed politicians feeling personal resent
ments, broken political power, and certain por-
tlOn VI IclSlOus, scciH al u unltc III forming
this new movement, that will be represented at
Buffalo next month.
If union and concentration were TO be expected
from such elements there might be danger, and
deep danger TO the union Of these States from this
movement; but the idea that these men, and poll
tclans, and religlonists-who have been squab-
bling, and abusing, and opposing each other for
the last quarter OF a century-are now united as
one man, seems almost too improbable. If such
a union should not take plsce-if the Buffalo
Convention shou d present hostile elements, per-
sonal ambition and state Of DISAPPOINTMENT,
il IL very probable that that body instead of Gre
atlng a great revolution, will simply exhibit a
magnificent far &c, that will end in nothing but
laughter at all engaged in it, But whether is to
be tragedy OF farce can only be determined by the
fact when II takes place. Mr. Van Buren, is
nothing in this movement nor is even Mr.. Clay,
or any other great man. Mr.. Van Buren, is not
even patriot. He has been Southern in practice
while the South was for him. He has been land
specuator-an admrer Of power, and everything
that is questionable in politics or its morality; and
yet, such man, by the singular combination of
elements, produced In this memorable day, may
fill an important part in the tragedy or farce, that
is TO ensue-whlch ever il may be. Some say that
Mr.. Clay will be nominated by the Buffalo Con-
vention and that Mr.. Van Buren, will be thrown
overheard again. Mr.. Clay is certainly more pa
iriotc, more popular, less selfish, but more ardent
and less prudent than Mr.. Van Buren, Both united
on the new Northern Impulse, they may lead, no
one knows where.
We are not sure, however, but that all these
movements and counter-movements, are merely
the usual consequences that attend the regular re-
voution Of parties that takes place in this country
every twenty-five years. This wing and the loco
fooo acuons have lived the time allotted for such
factions, about twenty years, and they must give
place TO other and new combinations There are,
II is SAID, nearly one hundred and forty new spa