The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-09

Of Mr. Clay, and probably Mr.. Clay himself, are
jealous of his acquiring so much glory, and want
to see how much disorganization and confusion
they can create in the ranks of the wing party,
hitherto supposed TO be favorable to General
Taylor.
The recent state of political affairs, therefore,
presents a complete disorganization, disruption
and scattering OF both the old parties. We have
now four distinct candidates in the field. The de-
mocratic party is cut up between General Cass and
Mr. Van Buren,, and portion of the wings are at
tempting to repud,ate General Taylor and revive
Mr. Clay Yet IN spite of this state of affairs, we
think there is strong foundation for believing, IN
the midst of the present canvass, that Gen. Taylor
will be able TO maintain his present ground; and
that If the great mass of the independent people Of
the country, and the independent journalists, who
have been the principal agents in bringing him
forth-the noble Oldham of Buena Vista-if they
should come up to the scratch now, it is probable
that in spite of the odds against him, he may yet
come out of the contest great victor, and with
as much success, as he exhibited on the field of
Buena Vista, against the enemies of his country
The old wing leaders who support Mr. Clay, have
become jealous of Mr. Van Buren's progress under
the free soil movement. They accordingly have
taken the field to save the remnants of their party,
for future operation, and to keep the power which
they formerly welded. We doubt, however,
whether the Clay movement is calculated to njure
General Taylor so much as it will Mr.. Van Buren,.
All those among the wings SO fanatlcal as to come
out for Mr.. Clay, at this late day, would most
likely have gone for Mr. Van Buren,, at the election
in November next.
1t is yet probable, therefore, and rational to be-
lieve, that with four parties in the field, each
having its own candidate, General Taylor, in many
of the contested States, will at least have pu-
rality over the other candidates, and even majo-
rity IN many places. If the free soil movement be
vigorously carried on in Pennsylvania, we fully be-
lieve that Gen. Tay lor will carry that State and
with other chances In his favor, he stands yet IN
a better position t, he has for the last few
months, in spite of the new movement In favor Of
Mr. Clay. This is the aspect of affairs at this mo-
ment; but it may change before next Monday.
STEAMBOAT CoMPETITIoN-ITs Coop AND BAD
CoNsEQUENCEs-Competi in this species of bu-
siness is useful to society, and deserves encour-
agement and public support to certain extent
When, however, it is carried beyond reasonable
limits in certain branches, it may be injurious to
life and limb, as well as property. The COMPETE
ton among the steamboats, on our rivers, and else
where, has been productive ofgreat fortunes, much
enterprise, and also of some disasters to human
life.
Yesterday morning, as the Arrow, steamboat
which runs between Nyack and New York, touch.
uao nd 9th MI he
river, was lying at the wharf at Yonkers, she was
run into by the steamboat Armenia, competitor
on the same route, in manner which, we under
stand, was both wanton and careless to an extreme
degree. Itseems that the Arrow, owned and COM
manded by very queit and Observation-Disclosures
ofNyack, has been for many years on the route
between New York and several CT the intermediate
towns to Sing Sing, on theiNorth River. During
this period she has been extremely useful to all
travellers and visiters within reach of the points
she touched at but it appears that a short time
ago the Armenia, new boat, and little quicker
in her movements, was put on the same route, for
the purpose, was generally understood, of driv-
ing off the Arrow, by reducing the price and adopt
ing other modes of competition. 1t is said thatthe
Armenia, in the early part of the season, ran in OPP
position to of the old beats the Hudson river
and received bonus of several thousand dollars for
the purpose of abandoning that piece of compe-
ttion, and putting herself on another route The
one between New York and Sing Sing was Sc
lected During the last few months, these two
boats, the Arrow and the Armenia, the old boat
and It's new competitor, have been running against
each other-the one for shilling, and the other
for sixpence. AS far fairness in competition is
Observed there Is no wrong In it, or any boat en-
deavorlng to rival another; but when human pas
sions become excited, and boats driven to a
point of mischief, it then becomes serious matter
to the public at large; and the moment when a
collision takes place, the subject should be taken
up, and an unbiased opinion passed on the trans
action
We have the best reason for believing that the
collision which took place between the Arrow and
Armenia at Yonkers, yesterday morning, was
wanton, unprovoked, and atrocious attempt, on the
part of the managers of the Armenia, IN every
aspect IN which 1t can be viewed If there be any
law on the subject, we trust the propretors of the
Arrow will bring an action against the Armenia
and lay the whole facts of the case before the
public II such conduct in any captain or pro-
prletor OF a steamboat be encouraged by the pub
llc, or overlooked by the travelling community,
the next thing we shall hear of, will be a more
serious colllsion, or some fatal explosion, putting
IN jeopardy the lives and limbs of those who trust
themselves IN such vessels. In the case in ques-
ton, the outrage was no doubt perpetrated by the
Armenia on the Arrow.
MORE TRooPs FROM MExICo.-Our news steam
er, News Boy, boarded last night, at o'clock, Is
miles south of Sandy Hook, the ship Iowa, from
Vera Cruz, having left that port on the lst of Au-
gust. She had on board detachment of the First
Regiment of the U. S. Artillery, consisting of 246
men, and Capt. Geo. Newman; ist Lieut. John M
Brennan, I'd do. Lewis o. Morris, A. A. c. F.:
Thos Talbot, Assistant Surgeon; w. S. King, s.
F. Chafn, &C., all well. Capt Wheadan, of the
Iowa. died on the passage, on the 10Th of August
of Inflammation of the bowels.
MAJOR GILLEspiE.-A recent letter from ST.