The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-11
The crfns-The War with Hfes1ou-Tns
Presidency.

The country is in the midst of very impor-
tant crisis. The war with Mexico, the Presi-
Dental election, and the quarrels among our
military men, begin TO have most injurious
effect on the complexion of public affairs and
The course of general business.
| lis now settled, beyond doubt, that General
Scott, and the field officers under him, have got
into quarrel that will demand their recall, and
the probability Of more courts martial Indeed
according to the most recent information, Gene
raj Scott has been recalled, a court martial has
been ordered, and Generals Pillow and WORTH
and Colonel Duncan, including General Scott,
and whole array of officers, will be paraded to
the world, in new form and shape to that in
which they have appeared during the last twelve
months. These things will have very injuri.
Gus effect on the position and power OF the Ameri
can army in Mexico. 1t may encourage another
attempt by the scattered troops of Mexico, and
bring out fresh efforts of their discounted gene
rails TO recover their lost honor.
While this view Of things Expresses the mind,
as regards our affairs with Mexico, we do not
see that we can derive mush comfort from the
aspect presented at Washington, or throughout
the country
Our leading statesmen and politicians are
quarrelling about the Presidency, and that with
the greatest bitterness Of rivalry and ambition.
The three most powerful intellects ofthe nation
Calhoun, Clay and Webster-are all united, and
committed, IN opposition to the further prosecu-
ton OF the war, and against all steps, and all
| results, looking to conquest or annexation, con-
nected with the two recent brilliant campaigns
The moral influence of the speeches and course
OF these distinguished men, is very injurious to
the influence OF the American arms in Mexico,
or the power of negotiating a peace. The
country Is also divided at home, between the ri.
valrles and intrgues Of the two great factions
the wings and the democrats. Congress is torn
to pieces by contentious produced by the same
combinations.
In the midst of this confusion and these disas.
trous symptoms, the dav of the Presidential
election is rapidly approaching, and preparations
are making in every quarter for the success of
this or thst candidate, by their different sets of
friends. To crown all, the government is RAPIDLY
running into debt the expenses of the war are
increasing tremendously pressure is begin.
ming to be felt in the money market; fears are
entertained of an ultimate suspension of the
banks; and none seem to be glad and joyful but
the contractors for the government, either in
| 'ooho VI III otoiSS-d sPcCIucA Vi WHICH may De
found in the splendid New Years liberality of
the government bankers neutrality-suspicious.
Corcoran & Rlggs-in giving generous presents
to all those connected with their banking affairs,
arising, probably. from the profits and proceeds of
! those loans
In the midst Of this gloomy appearance of
things, the buoyant spirit of the people has indi-
Gated its determination to elevate a man to the
highest Office in the country, whose moral infu.
ence, talents, and great and sublime simplicity
of character, would be able to give us that peace
We require, or bring about that arrangement with
Next which might become permanent. These
indications in favor of the election of General
Taylor, give, however, great umbrage to the po-
liticians of the two old parties; and at this mo.
ment, intrigues are on foot at Washington and
every State capital, to quench, restrain and put
down the voice of the people, at all events If
Mr.. Polk should be candidate for the Presiden-
cy, and be elected, do we expect any termination
to the war; Certainly not. Mr. Polk CON-
menced the war-we will not say i'm
properly-but Mr.. Polk never thought for
moment that it would last over month or
six weeks, when the first battle was fought on
| the Rio Grande. He has been led into the
conquest of Mexico, step by step, unknown to
himself, and arising from his own incapacity
either to anticipate or prepare for averting those
things which ordinary wisdom might have
averted. The country can gain nothing, but
lose much, by the reelection Of Mr.. Polk nor
is it probable that any different hope would be
realised from any other candidate Of the party
of which he is member. The way party offers
no prospect Of peace to the commercial interests
by giving them the Presidency again. The
peace party, represented by Clay Webster, Cal
houn, or others Of that particular position,
cannot succeed in reaching the Presidency by
any mode of tactics they may assume. The
great mass of the people of this country have
shown positive determination to support the
war, and bring the country out CT it in honor,
at any and every expense, and against the inte-
rest of any faction that may interpose its power
to prevent it.
Looking over the whole field of operations in
the United States the condition Of the country
in regard to Mexico and England, and with re-
ference to the banks and commercial affairs, we
are persuaded there is no man in the country
whose position, reputation and character give
any chance Of success for election TO the next
Presidency, unless it be General Taylor himself
and he is the only man who, being elected to the
Presidency, could possess moral influence to
bring about peace and quiet with Mexico for any
length of time. The merchants, and manufacture
ers, and bankers, and all trading persons in the
northward regions of the United States, ought to
take it into their consideration very seriously,
whether they mean to sacrifice their interests by
adhering to the old factions, and thus give
triumph TO the war party, and that class of men
who will continue the public expenses and in
vove the country deeper and deeper in debt, or
whether they will abandon all their former party
attachments, disregard all advisers and directors,
and go singly and unifedly for the elevation of
such man as General Taylor, by whose power