The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-18
New York, Monday, September IL, 1874
Actual Circulation OF the Herald.


ieooos
The rassa9a H:ySd yesterday at Is
minutes O'clock and finished at minutes before o'clock
Political Movements-nIr. CIay's Letter.
The nomination OF General Taylor having been
disasteful to the bltra Clay men of the wing par
~, those who have been attached to the fortunes
of that distinguished statesman for number Of
years. conceived the idea of calling meetings and
conventions for the purpose putting hun before the
people as candidate for the Presidency, notwlth-
standing his rejection by the Wing National Con-
ventlon in Philadelphia. Meetings were accord
ingly held in this city, in Albany, New Jersey and
elsewhere al which he nominated as a can
ddate for the Presidency, and placed in precisely
the same position towards Gen. Taylor, the candi-
date of the wing party, as that which Martin Van
Buren,, OF Undertook, occupies towards General
Cass, the nominee of the Baltimore Convention.
This movement threatened to weaken, considera-
bly,, the strength Of the wing party. Mr.. Clay HIM
self was not, however, consulted the matter and
much curiosity was excited to know whether he
would sanction the liberty which was taken with
his name. He was accordingly written to on the
subject, by gentleman OF this city, and reply
received of which the following Is copy, with
the exception OF some lines, which are left in
blank -
ASHLAND, Sept. Sth, ls4s.
JAMES BROOKS, ESQ
have given, and shall give, no countenance or
encouragement to any movement to bring my name,
candidate for that Office the Presidency before the
public.
On one point desire no secresy and that Is that
am utterly opposed to the use OF my name as cand-
date for the Presidency.
My warm regards to your brother.
truly your friend.
And obedent servant
II. CLAY.
The part omitted probably contained Mr. Clay's
private opinion of General Taylor and his feelings
towards those who were instrumental in cheating
HIM out of the nomination of the convention, and
was, therefore, not published.
This is a very important document. 1t is the
death blow to the Clay movement. 1t takes the
ground from under the ultras, who wished TO run
him as candidate, in an irregular way, in oppos-
ton 10 the nominee of the Wing Convention, and
will, therefore, reduce the number of candidates
in the field TO the original number three, and mar
row the contest between General Taylor and Cen
eTal Cass. Mr.. Van Buren,, we do not think, can
carry sufficient weight to throw the election into
the House of Representatives. 1t is asserted, by
his friends of the free soil party that he will surely
get the electoral vote OF the State of n York There
is however, mo foundation for any such assumpu On.
II is mere assertion, and the probability is that he
will not receive single e.ectoralvote IN the whole
Union. Some time since, 1t was with some de-
gree of reason, believed, by his ardent partzans,
that he would carry some State other but the
free soil movement, which he stands, has not
worked so well, as 1t was supposed II would, IN
Vermont and Maine. la those States the only eff
feet that has attended is, the partial disergauza-
ton OF the democratic party-leaWng the wings
nearly, If not entirely, intact and unbroken. There
is no reason to suppose that the same movement
Will not work the same results in other States.
The Presidential contest, between General Cass,
General Taylor, and Mr. Van Buren,, will commence
IN night earnest from this time, and be continued
till November next, when the great Issue will be
decided There can be no question that DIR. Clay's
refusal to be placed In a position similar TO thai
filled by Mr. Van Buren,, will increase the chances
of General Taylor, and render his election more
probable. Those who, the funess of their
wrath at the rejection of Mr. Clay, by the Wing
Convention, and who had determined to vote for
HIM, IN the event of the Clay movement going
ahead will either deposie their ballots favor of
General Taylor, or stay at home, and not vote at
all None, or at least very few of them, will give
their support TO either General Cass or Mr. Van
Buren,. 1t is not certain that Mr.. Van Buren, would
desire any such support His object IN commence
ing this free soil movement, TO disorganize
and distract the wing party, but TO divide the ranks
Of the democratic party, and thereby defeat the
election of General Cass, in revenge for his own
defeat at Baltimore, in 1914 He is a shrewd and
calculating politician, and laid his plans with his
accustomed cunning; and John Van Buren, is
carrying them out with every chance of ultimate
success.
We do not suppose that the ultra Clay movement
will, IN the face OF Mr. Clays letter. and his POSI-
tive refusal TO allow his name to be used as a cam
didate for the Presidency, be further persisted in.
1t is extinguished by Mr.. Clay himself: and that
refusal, coupled with the probability of General
Taylor's receiving the support of independent men
throughout the country, renders the election. IN
November next, Of the hero of Buena Vista, much
more certain than il has yet appeared. Mr. Clay.
having abandoned the field, therefore leaves but
three candidates in the field. between the partizans
OF each OF whom there will be regular triangular
hglt-General Taylor having the best prospect OF
success.
1HE OCEAN STEAMERs.-The Hbernia for
Liverpool, leaves Boston, and the Washington
for Southampton and Bremen, leaves this port. on