The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-04

Presidency, assembled in ward meeting last eve
ming, In Jefferson Hall, corner of Hudson and
Charles streets, for the purpose of adopting such
measures as might be best to promote the object
in view. There were some two hundred and
fifty persons present, and the proceedings were
marked with spirit and enthusiasm. On the out
side of the building were two transparencies,
which attracted considerable attention, one of
which represented General Taylor in the midst
of battle scene, close to Captain Bragg's bat
terry, and the other represented him alone, dressed
in full regimentals, on the back OF old whitley"
The meeting was called to order at half-past
seven o'clock. Mr. Francis q. Lucky was APP
pointed chairman, and Mr.. John q. Brant, Sc
cretary.
After the call of the meeting was. read and
much distinguished himself in the Taylor move
ment, was called upon to address the meeting,
and IN obedience thereto, he assembled the plat
form and spoke as follows -
Fellow citinens-l have here for the purpose OF
addressing to You few words in relation to the subject
which now agitstes the public mind. You are all az
have interest in the election of President that you
have not-ho purpose in view that you have not; Lam
people, and one who takes some interest in public af-
fairs friend of mine, who at Albany on recent
OCCASION was asked by one of the hack politicians what
object Prescott Hall had in view in advocating the pre-
sent position in which the people of the u state chose
to place one Of their distinguished statesmen ill., III
he had asked me- would have replied that had an OBJ
ect in view-thst Of placing If could by my influence
desire to the public will exercised, and govern in
public affairs desire that the public will should have
that influence on our public affairs which it was design
ed to have by the trainers of constution and by
our laws. It designed that all influence In
aton to thore matters should devolve for private ends
those who make that their business kut that public
opinion and the general will Of the people should have
their force for in different position to that of
any other people the face Of the earth The
only full experiment that made in the mat
ter Of self government has been made in the Uni
| tad Ctafaa all vkvfas ov,H
all other people, although they may have. n
apparent influence yet this is the only country far
as know, where the public will IL brought to bear
directly public affairs and the people Of which
enjoy the privileges of self government In other coun-
leaders In England government is kept in the power
Of few; but we are in no such condition We have
Of this kind is tss voluntary contributions Of our fellow
| citizens This is empbaticslly self government-not
s T ns os fs sn m
pies, selfregulatng individual responsible to public
order and the public veal we ASSEMBLE, IL our primary
of continuing It, and improving It, and handing 1t down
to thos. who are to from those
It down to those who to be born after ursuied
Now, what have together this evening for? Be-
cause believe the time has arrived when should
commence movement Of the highest national
to perform trust which the people must delegate
among ourselves on whom this power shall be
conferred. We have heretofore assembled under the
circumstances to promote the election of that dis
tngushed who has often been presented to the
public for the purpose of receiving the highest reward
that be given to patriotism. We have, however,
been with that distinguished man when.
ever the of that distinguished Of Kentucky
has been presented us, have been unsuccessful
believe now indeed have no question: that Mr. Clay
the clear and distinct choice OF vast majority Of the
at the same time cannot conceal from myself nor it
csnnot be concealed from yourselves that high as that
% for
Is certain and disaster inevitable.
Mr. H.Iy-Thsra n q vo;cs saws M
VoIcE-No.
Mr. HALL-If could believe that true word in
this instance too would no but conviction Is Fore
ing itself the minds Of the people that imposs
BILE for to succeed il select Mr. Clay candidate
If select leader and fear defeat defeat is certain
You must select leader under whom you confident
of success Where is the ft for the highest
distinguished orator and Statesman who represents
the State Of in the Senate of the United
now presume TO bring hin forward ss leader in the
canvass on which about to enter. Why do you
would you introduce inst name which would command
the confidence of the public and lead to success Now
to the conclusion that General Zachary Taylor is that
man lProiongsd appsu's) WHY'S It the public mind
i that no e
only or the primary cause not because he had sabre
his hand and sccomPsnsd such wonderful victories
the government, We hnd marks Of clear intel
lect and great mind-we find a man unknown and uu-
thought olive fnd man Of the most careful habits
OF observation; man of cool head and clear thought
man Of few words, but those few Of great meaning,
would be certain of comforting himself and to
those who placed hin, in it, (Cheers There other
men who can WELD sword as well. perhaps General
Taylor do not consider personal galantry
in the feld the highest attribute of mans nature do
not consider that military renown Is by the
highest attributes of human intellect On the contra
ry have often heard aud know, that subordinate
man may achieve high rank on the roll of fame .
fighting man. This is what distinguishes man intelec.
tual man. from the animal race. The mere business of
soldier in killing his fellow men, is not evidence of the
| n
lect belonging rather to the animal than to the
celebrated men in history have been fsmous in arms
Alexander was distinguished soldier but he like
wse man IN every relation OF iterone OF
famous In arms, also Of the highest order Of
intellect Wellington is not less reno wned ia the senate
than In the field but there plenty Of soldiers the
British army, as there were among the Romans, who
have other intellect but that which distinguishes
them in the killing of their fellow men. But man may
yet be good soldier and able in council My attention
first drawn to General Taylor by the cogency his
that emapated from his pen. But there attempt
made to destroy the Generals influence arising from
this Oh It Is said but he had adjutant general
with him, and number of subordinate generals y
meaning by this, indirectly, to lead the mind the
these compositions. Now, have taken some pains to
be informed and satisfied on this point and II there
the author Of all those compositions and will put his as
srtion in such shape TO form what We lawyers call
and viii prove to his satisfaction that he entirely
mistaken. (Long continued appause) By the way,
the highest compliment that could bs paid General
Taylor that considering his position and his occupa.
ton soldier almost from his boyhood, to say that
these compositions which display the characteristics of
the highest order Of intellect to say that soldier
could not write such beautiful communications. have
taken the pains to ascertain the facts in the case
and II any desires to know the fact Of
! General Taylor's having watten those compositions,
let him go to tbs war Office in Washington, aud there
he will find them in the peculiar handwriting OF the old
General himself and 10 one else. (rrsmsndous ap.
plauts) General Jones' or Mr. Marcy, will point you
out General Taylor handwriting these conmunca-
TONS and IL marked aud istic as any Of
hts acts the field of battle There is friends but
one lack Taylor In those battles and but ia those
| communications applause During the revolution
AIRY war It said OF General Washing ton undoubted
y the most pure, renowned and self devoted patriot,
that the Of Heaven shone upon surround
ed by officers who wrote his communications Now, |