The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-06


clock second at andhnhed 2' inutes past 80 clock
The Presidential Crisis-Important Speeches
and Letters.
The interest of the existing Presidential crisis Is
increasing every day. AS peculiar and remarka-
bic specimens of this interest," we give, IN our CO.
lumns to-day, several letters and speeches put
forward the present state of the question, by
leading men at the opposite ends OF the Union.
The address of Harrison Gray OTIS, the ancient
apostle of the old federal party of New England,
and issued few days ago in Boston journal, is
like the voice of one raised from the dead, and
coming out In favor OF General Taylor for the next
Presidency. Mr.. Ohs classical antique, IN
politics aud fine taste. He is hardly known to the
present generation, but was one of the leading
spirits of the North in the early part of this cen
fury, down to the dispersion of the old federal
party by the Hartford Convention. He comes out
on the edge OF the grave, full of the same genus
fine feeling, and peculiar PRINCIPLES, which cha
racterlsed his whole life He declares in favor Of
General Taylor, and seems to have moderated the
tone of political asperity, which prevailed thirty
years ago, on the establishment of the two great
parties which divide the Union. The other I'M
portant paper is the report OF speech delivered by
the Hon. Mr.. Rhett, IN Charleston, South Caro-
Una, few days ago, in which the views of the
democratic party that region are given, with
great force and great freedom of expression. Mr.
Rhett takes ground in favor of General Cass
merely, however, as choice of evils, and gives
the reasons which actuate him, and the party OF
which he is member, IN conjunction, probably
with Mr.. Calhoun, IN the Southern States. His
views are peculiar and interesting. The next
paper on the SUBJECTS letter from the Hon. James
Hamilton, formerly of the leading nullficators
IN South Carolina, but now coming out for General
Taylor IN preference to General Cass, as being a
better Southern man for the Southern States.
Those papers and those views, from distin-
guished men, in opposite directions, are peculiarly
interesting at this crisis of American political
history. The most striking portion of those
papers, however, is contained in the develope-
ments made by Mr.. Rhett, relative to the in
fuence, and probable consequences which the
movement of Mr.. Van Buren,, should it be ulti-
mately successful, may produce the relations OF
this Union as 1t is now organised. Mr.. Rhett'
openly and fairly, presents the consequences that
may attend the success IN Congress, of those
measures, affecting, in the remoest degree, the
peculiar Institutions of the South. The free soil
question, which Is put forward as the platform on
which Mr. Van Buren, stands, simply has reference
10 the extension of slavery TO the new territories
Of New Mexico. This is a narrow and isolated
question to all appearances, but when we come
to reflect that when there beyond this platform,
the whole tram of abolition sentiment originating
and fostering in every possible way in the North,
il Is very easy to see that the success of party
founded simply on the Wilmot provlso, would
ultimately lead 10 the success of party, claiming
the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia,
an ultimately in the Southern States themselves.
There is, therefore, difference between the Will
mot prowso, as understood by the wing party, now
supporting General Taylor, and that meant by the
free soil party, who are running Mr.. Van Buren,.
The wing party, as it is now constituted in the
North, would not probably look beyond the
mere prevention of slavery in the new ter
ritores. That would be the final action on the
subject, and their success would lead the country
away from the abolition sentiment, and from fur
ther abolition action. 1t is very evident, however,
that the success of Mr.. Van Buren,, IN any shape,
by which we mean his getting sufficient vote to
carry him into the House Of Representatives and
the influence Of such result on the action of Con-
gress, would merely be the entering wedge for
future movements In the same direction, which
would increase and accumulate during the next
:
dangerous TO the Union
The developments made by Mr.. Rhett, of the
public sentiment Of the South, on this point midi
cate the consequences that would follow any par
tial success of the free soil movement, separate
and distinct from the wing party. 1t is now said,
by the supporters of Mr. Van Buren,, that the aeita
ton has succeeded beyond their expectation that
hey are sure of the electoral votes of Ohio and
NJ. ,,ob,, H.. IL.
electoral vote of New York, and large popular
vote in Pennsylvania and other tree States These
results would, Of course throw the election of Pre-
sident into the present House of Representatives.
and create a state of feeling throughout the coun-
try, that would give great advantage to lmilar
movements, four years hence, in the free States.
The views OF the free soil men are no doubt ex-
aggcrated Thus far we have hesitated to put any
confidence in the hopes that they have held out,
and we still doubt, very seriously, whether Mr.
Van Buren, can get single electoral vote in the |
North. Yet no can tell what 4 month |
may bring forth. One thing is certain. that the |
success of Mr. Van Buren,, in his present movement,
IN any practical shape, viii bring about one of |
the most serious events that ever has 'menaced |
the mon OF these confeeerated States. Mr. |
Rhet and the Southern politicians have calmly |
and deliberately taken their ground, and that
ground is peaceable secession from Congress,
whenever that period comes, pointed out by them.
III relation 10 their peeyliar institution Mr. Rhett
IT is true, thinks that General Cass would furnish
the Sopthwith safer President; but Mr. Hamilton,
who is equally clear sighted, thinks that General
Taylor would be better. AL agree however, that
The movement OF Mr. Van Buren, is one of the
most dangerous that ever has been stared in this
country, and that its success heretofore. begins 10
alarm the friends OF the Union every where. South
and North. as well as West and East The mere