The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-30
Political Meetings the next Presidential
Question-Mr. Clay Looking up-Mr. Van
Buren, Looking Down.


We give, in our columns this day, the full re-
port of very important public meeting held by
the democracy of this city in favor of the war
with Mexico, at Tammany Hall, last evening.
The character and effects of this meeting may
be judged of from the report which we give.
We also give the report of another Taylor de-
monstration, held in one of the wards of this
city, which also speaks for itself-and that slim
enough These, and other recent meetings, con-
ventions, or caucuses, held lin this State, and
throughout the country, are beginning to clear
MP the fog hich covers the question of the next
Presidency, and will enable accurate and close
thinkers to grope with some degree of certainty
upon the subject of the approaching national
election.
The nearer we draw nigh to that great time,
the more Developments of public opinion do we
ee,we are gradually brought more and more to the
singular belief, not absolutely ripened into con-
viction yet, that Mr. Clay ,cW haze better
chance Of being elected at the nert election than he
ever had on any former occasion. From the pro-
ceedings in this State, there appears no reason
able doubt but that the Van Buren, influence
among the democracy will be directed to the
object of dividing and distracting the party here,
and Of giving the wings of this State the vote at
the next election.
Eight or ten months ago, when ex-President
Van Buren, was visiting the Western States, it
may be remembered he housed himself gratis
some time with Mr. Clay, at his country resi-
dence, near Lexington, and no. at an hotel,
where it would cost money The movements
of the Van Burens in New York, for the last
year or two, warrant the belief or the inference,
that there is a good understanding between the
friends of Mr.. Clay and the friends of Mr.. Van
Buren,, in relation 10 the next Presidency. The
introduction of the half and half anti slavery re-
solutions, called the Wilmot proviso have pro-
duced division in the democratic party here
which appears lrreconcilable, inevitable, and
permanent. This division will be carried into
the national convention at Baltimore; and,
the southern and south western States repre-
scented there, will reject the Wilmot proviso
delegates from New York, great noise will,
consequently, be made upon that rejection, and
the result will be, that tue democratic Pre- .lden-
tial ticket will be defeated by the great majority
of the Empire State.
The motives of Mr. Van Buren,, in this policy,
may be either personal, In respect of the future,
or revengeful, IN respect 10 the past Having
been defeated heretofore, by the influence oil
General CAss, and the nomination of Mr.. Polk,
he does not wish TO see Mr.. Cass elected here
after Mr. Clay's election would be more ia
vorable for the than that of any other man, be-
cause il would enable the Van Buren, party to
organise for future time.
These are the views which occur to US, on the
present complexion of public meetings. They
may be more OF less accurate; but without doubt
they have some foundation. The wings al
Washington are watching these movements
with intensity they have already held meet
ing, aud are going to call national convention,
OF which, in short time, the day and place will
be named. This WING convention will meet
after the democratic, when the result of the
whole movement and divisions in this State will
be known The great Baltimore convention
meets in May. The movement in this city, the
distractions among the followers of Gen. Taylor,
the divisions of the democratic party, the deter
minaton of the friends of Mr.. Clay TO run him
at all hazards-all tend TO give that statesman
the best chance he ever has had.
A few months will test the accuracy Of these
views. Let US wait and see.