The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-05
General Taylor In New Yo II,

Gener nj Tay ior In New Yo n,
From Ierusal of graphic reports Of the
Taylor meeting, which was held in this city few
days since, persons at distance might suppose
from the conrsrety of opinion developed on that
occasion, that General Taylor no: as popular
IN New York he really is, or that Mr. Clay is
the favorlte OF the wings of New York. An in-
ference of this kind would be unjust, and in order
to develope the fact, and to show cause for the
oontrariety of opinion which characterised that
meeting, il may be necessary to advert to the his
tory OF the country for the last eighteen months,
two years.
After the battles of Pao Alto and Resaca
de la Palma, General Taylors name, in connec-
ton with the Presidency, first mentioned
by this paper. We had previously seen the man,
and knew something of his great genius
and gallanuy and as he was placed
IN position in which he could show his quality,
we knew that he would create a 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,
knot Of politicians-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
IN his favor. They accordingly set TO work, hired
room in Military Hall, Bowery, organized what
they called r ough and Ready Club, cut out and
apportioned all the offices among themselves and
their friends, and by way of cenchng the matter,
secured the aid of a rickety evening paper, with
out influence circulation, TO fire lis popgun
every occasion when General Taylors name was
mentioned.
This the first petty movement by the Office
seeking politicians 10 secure the nomination and
election of General Taylor; but 1t will be per-
celved that 1t was not undertaken until a long
time after General Taylor had been named for that
high office, and after he became so popular that
MS name on every tongue, and his services
treasured up IN the. breasts of his fellow-country
men.
Meanwhile, the popularity of the old hero was
becoming greater and greater every day, and the
Military Hall clique congratulated themselves that
they had played trump card, and were certain OF
getting the Offices and emoluments which they had
in view. But they were destined to have rivals
the field for some time after General Taylor
became popular that it evident he would
be nominated by the people, by acclamation,
as their candidate for the Presidency, politl- |
clans throughout the country holsted the Tay- |
Tor standard, and soon after he nominated !
at 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 an opportunity 10 show their hands in favor
of the man whose popularity would elect him In
case 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 ofiiceholders of all parties, who combined to-
gether to effect General Taylor's nomination, and
through that and his election, to obtain the long
sought offices which they had in view. Between
the two rival factions, there was much bitter feel
ing and i'll WILL Each was jealous OF the other,
and each insisted upon being considered the Taylor
party of New York and the whole North. There
were other politicians, however, who did not
appreciate Gen. Taylor's position before the coun-
try, who thought his popularity was evanescent,
and would entirely subsde long before the meeting
of the wing National Convention in Philadel phia,
and who likewise had eye to the spoils Of office.
These elected TO .tand by Mr.. Clay, and to take
her chances with those Of the statesm an o f the
West
This is short sketch of the preliminary move
ments and occurrences that took place within
the last eighteen months, and of the ntngues OF
the several factions of officeseekng politicians
Finally, the wing National Convention assem-
Died, and after hard struggle between the Clay and
The Taylor delegates, the latter succeeded, and Gen
Taylor was nominated as the wing candidate for
the Presidency. BY this event the ultra Clay men
were mortified, their long cherished hopes OF office
and soup were annhilated and after long and ardu
Gus struggle TO obtain The nomination Of their man,
they found themselves at length utterly Frustrated. ]
Under these circumstances it may well be sup
posed they were not in the best OF humor, and
many of them threatened death and destruction 70
the wing party For long time, the wing general
committee, which had all along supported the
claims of Henry Clay, refused TO call meeting 20
ratify General Taylor's nomination. AT length
they issued call for that purpoSe but, on second
thoughts, il was countermanded, and, some time
afterwards, another call was issued, in pursuance
of which the meeting in Canal street was con-
vened, Cen. Taylor's popularity, in the mean
while, incio asing, not only N New York, but
throughout the whole country, North, East, South,
and West AT this meeting, all the disappointed
Clay men, and goody proportion OF locofoccs,
were In attendance. They sought by every means
in their power, TO prevent Gen. Tayors nomna-
,on being ratified, and by freely using thelr lungs
their throais and their haads, succeeded IN creating
great deal Of noise and confusion Hence we have
an explanation Of all the groans, Kisses. &C., which
characterised that meeting, and which were faith
fully reported al the time in this paper.
This is an explanation Of the scenes and Incl
dents thnt meeting and those oil our readers at
distance, who have formed the 'inion from a
perusal Of It's proceedings, that General Tayor's
popularity in New York is not so great as they
tif previously Fpqo.rj 6.eclrr 'ign-s',cs. and