The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-04
General Toyicr New York.

From perusal OF our graphic reports of the
Taylor meeting, which was held in this city few
days since, persons at distance might suppose,
from the contranety of opinion developed on that
occasion, that General Taylor was no: rs popular
In New York he really is, or that Mr. Clay is
the favorite OF the wings of New York. An iu-
ference of this kind would be ruiust and in order
TO develope the fact aud to show cause for the
contrarlety of opinion which Characterised that
meeting, il may be pecessaIy TO advert to the his
tory of the country for the last eighteen months, or
two years.
After the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca
de la Palma. General Taylor's rame, in connec-
ton with the Presidency, was first mentioned
by this paper We had previously seen the man.
and knew something of his great genius
and gaanuy, and as soon as he was placed
IN position in which he could show his quality,
we knew that he would create feeling in the
breasts of the people that would elect him to the
Presidency. After those battles, the taking of the
city of Monterey ensued, and at about the time
when that great military feat was accomplished,
a knot of potlcans-of waits and strays and odds
and ends of all parties, and all factions conceived
the plan of taking General Taylor under their
special care, and of directing the popular feeling
room in Military Hail. Bowery, organized what
they called Rough and Ready Club, cut out and
apportioned all the Offices among themselves and
their friends and by way Of clenching the matter,
secured the aid of rickety evening paper, with
out influence circulation, TO fire Its popgun on
every occasion when General Taylor's name was
mentioned.
This was the first petty movement by the Office
L IL.
election of General Taylor; but it will be per-
ceived that II was not undertaken until long
time after General Taylor had been named for that
high office, and after he became so popular that
his name every tongue, and his services
treasured up in the breasts OF his ellow-country-
men.
Meanwhile, the popularity of the old hero was
becoming greater and greater every day, and the
Military Hal clique congratulated themselves that
they had played a trump card, and were certain OF
getting the Offices and emolumens which they had
in view. But they were destined to have rivals
IN the field for some time after General Taylor
became so popular that it was evident he would
be nominated by the people, by reclamation
as their candidate for the Presidency, polit
clans throughout the county hoised the Tay.
lor standard, and soon after he was nominated
al several State conventions, and by several
Legislative bodies. While all these things were
going on, there was another clique Of politicians
closely studying the signs of tie times, and wait
ing for opportunity TO show their hands in favor
Of the man whose popularity would elect him in
ease Of his nomination They met and consulted
together, from time TO time, and finally decided
that the time had arrived and Immediately the
TAYLOR standard was hoisted in the columns OF the
Courier and Enquirer, and Lafayette Hall, in
Broadway, hired for the meetings of the Wall
street Taylor clique. This was the second clique
of officeholders Of all parties, who combined to-
gether to effect General Taylors nomination, and
through that and his election 10 obtain the long
sought Offices which they had in view. Between
~ wal factions, there was much bitter fee