The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-04

calculating on the divisions IN the democratic
party In the State OF New York Yet there Is
many slip between the cup and the lip.
We have given some reflection 10 this matter,
and the present position of affairs; and we have
deliberately formed the opinisn, from GER
tain private limitations given to us from the
highest authority in Washington, that Mr.. Polk
will be candidate in the democratic National
Convention that in consequence of certain
events taking place privately in Washington,
Mr.. Polk will get the nomination of the conven-
ton, and that the issue will be made up of the
ichoie or none of Merico, which issue Mr.. Clay
and his friends must meet.
Now, there is no person in the world who has
a more sober opinion Of Mr.. Polk, as man of la
lent and statesman, than we have, and we never
expect to have anymotive to change this opinion.
Mr.. Folks brother, Col. Polk, formerly American
minister to Naples, Is, in our estimation of hu-
man character, a man of much higher principle,
greater intellect, and nobility of mind, in
comparison to his brother, the President; but he
never had chance to show it..
Yet in spite of the even estimation in which we
hold Mr.. Polk, we do firmly believe, looking
over the present aspect of politics In this coun-
try, and with the issue OF the whole of Mexico or
uoHC, oCtiHS oH tlC vast llCou dCCCSslOuS Vi lew
voters during the last four years, that MIR. Polk
will decidedly have the advantage oyer Mr.. Clay,
in spite of the divisions in the democratic party.
We have much to say on this point, and
great deal to explain, very brief and entertain
ing, all of which we shall do at our leisure.
In the meantime we learn that Mr.. Polk, fear
ing the position of General Cass in the democra-
tic party, and alarmed at his being nominated at
the west as a candidate, has commenced to treat
him, in relation to the Mexican question, as he
treated Senator Allen on the Oregon question,
three years ago. few days ago, General Cass
went to the President, and asked him his opinion
about the annexation of Mexico, whether he,
the President, meant the whole or MOTTO which
Mr.. Polk gave an evasive answer, while on the
same day he communicated privately to another
Senator what he really meant about the mat.
ter
From every species of information, we really
believe that MIR. Polk is instigating the various
democratic candidates into hostility towards each
other, IN order to prepare the way for the neces-
sty of his own nomination, by the convention
which will meet in May, and that soon
that is settled he ,oM come forth for the sohole Of
Merico. On that issue we fully believe-taking
into consideration the popular impulse, the new
voters, the dying off of old voters-that Mr.. Polk
may have good chance to be elected President
a second time, and that Mr. Clay may be defeat.
ed sixth time in spite of all the divisions in this
State, or elsewhere. Let people think of this
view.
HEALTH OF THE CITY-PUBLlc IMpRovKMKNTs-
The CRoToN.-A spirit of improvement in the
building line is manifested in all quarters of our
rapidly growing city, which is soon destined to
rival any Of the leading cities of Europe. This
is the result of private enterprise on the part of
many of our go-ahead citizens; and any one
who takes look uptown, will scarcely recog-
nize the locality through which he had taken a
hurried drive last summer.
| 1t is to be regretted that the same laudabe
| spirit of improvement does not stimulate our
city fathers to induce them to keep pace with
this enterprising movement. Any one passing
along the localities to which we refer, will be
forcibly struck with the contrast exhibited be-
tween the appearance of the streets and the build
ings, affording at once conclusive evidence of
corporate neglect in every particular, whether of
cleansing, lighting, or paving. There are many
eye-sores too in the shape of dirty squares, lanes
and avenues, which show such degree of filth
ness and neglect, that the very appearance ofthem
is almost sufficient to generate disease. The sea-
son approaches when New York city will be
flooded with emgrants; and this year, in par
| ticular, we should be more guarded than usual
in attending to the health OF the city.
| The Croton water could be used as power
full agent in administering to the public health
and should be used neither stingily nor niggard-
ly, in the emergency which threatens us during
the approaching spring and summer months
Small fountains, in many of these filthy lit
| tie squares, would tend to greatly improve and
beautify, as well as add much to the healthiness
of their localities. There are some old and in
famous quarters, the nurseries ofcrime and vice,
that have long since disgraced our city, and de-
| fled the authorities themselves; and if large
| fountain were constructed in some of them, and
the grounds properly laid out, we verify believe
that it would have the effect to eventually rout
the denizens that wallow there in every kind of
vice-and why Because, with an enterprzing
and specializing building class of men, such spot
would not long remain unnoticed. COMPETE
ton would soon PROFESSIONALLY arise for the
purchase of the wretched dwellings, that are
now occupied as haunts of vice; and spirit of
building and improvement would soon set in,
which would have the effect to rout the wretch
ed and self-abandoned, who frequent these
places. We have heard Of many projects for the
improvement of one Infamous spot in our very
midst; such, for instance, running street
through it, Sc; but this, while it has no pros
pect of ever-at least for some years-of being
accomplished, would not only be tedious, but in
effective.
At all events, cleanliness must be looked after
with care and attention by the Board of Health
for should disease and pestilence creep in
amongst us, they will first take root in the filthy
haunts, and nothing prevent their spreading
What better or safer remedy can be applied in
the-localty most to be dreaded, than supply of
water in this way to cool and purify the atmos-
phere. The Board of Health are adopting the