The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-16
whIg Journals and wing Measures.

will notbe ascertaned until the first regular message
of General Taylor shall have been delivered. The
construction OF that document and the principles
of domestic policy which will be incorporated in
1t, will depend in great measure, no doubt, on
the result of the State elections which will take
place between this time and the meeting of Con-
gress. If those results be favorable to the wing
party, and insure majority to the wings in the
next House of Representatives, the President, un-
der the advice Of his cabinet, will probably take
stronger wing ground than he will if the be
the case.
But, although the programme of the domestic
policy to be recommended by the new administra-
ton is entirely unknown thus far, we see indica-
tons in the wing journals throughout the country
that an attempt will be made to revive, to certain
degree, the principles and issues which have divided
the two paresfor some years past and to force them
on the President. We allude especially to the
tariff question, the question of internal improve
ments, and the sub-treasury. In regard to these
measures, great deal of nonsense has been perpe-
trated by both parties Each, IN its turn, has
gone to extremes and it would be found that a
medium course would be advisable, and would be
satisfactory to the country at large, and tend to the
advancement of Its prosperity. Thus the wings
especially the Eastern wing OF them--are In favor
of restoring the tariff of 1912 in all its integrity,
while the democrats adhere to that which is known
as the tariff of 1916. A tariff that would "spllt
the difference would probably be the right thing.
The constitutional difference and distinction Gre
ated by the democrats in times past between fresh
water and salt water, in relation to internal inn
rovements-limiting the power of Congress to
rivers and harbors Of the latter and denying it in
toto to those of the ormer-is one Of those abstrac
tons which the Authorizations Of party will some
times create in mems minds The absurdity Of
the distinction is evident The wings take the
other view of the question, and assert that Con-
gress has not only power to vote means for I'M.
proving all rivers and harbors, whether of fresh or
salt water but that those means should be granted
with an unsparing hand, and in boundless profu-
sion. Again, the sub-treasury is denounced as
humbug by the one party, and lauded to the skies
by the other whereas, it is excellent measure,
and barring some of its provisions-which its
workings have shown to be unnecessary-answers
very well for the purposes for which it was de-
signed.
Those measures are occasionally referred to by
the wing organs throughout the country, and their
repeal is indicated, or indirectly urged, under the
of course, that the wings will have
in the next House of Representatives,
which, by the way, is very uncertain, for it is as
likely to be just the reverse. But those journals
have, no doubt, another object invlew. They want
to force the President into incorporating their
views in his message to Oongress at the COM
mencement of next session but we hope General
Taylor and his cabinet have more firmness than
to be influenced by them. 1t is not improbable
that comprehensive view of all those subjects
will be taken, when the proper time arrives for
legislating upon them, and that such alterations
and notifications, in each and all of them, will be
made as the experience of the past points out and
the interests of the country require
GENERAL SANFORD ON THE AsroR PLACE MAS
have no particular objection to the
sentiments promulgated concerning the riot and
at the Astor Place theatre, put forth by
General Sanford, in relation to the part which he
took in that unfortunate affair, on the 10th of May
last-sentments which he expressed at friendly
of the City Guard, at their anniversary
dinner, on Thursday evening last. On that memora-
BILE occasion, the military acted under the orders Of
the civil authorities, was their duty when called
upon No one blames the military for the blood
shed on that occasion; but while we are willing to
overlook the acts Of the military on that mean-
choly night, we must be permitted to go beyond
the mere orders of the civil authorities and inquire
as to the policy of the police and city authorities
by whose mbecility, weakness and folly, the bloody
collision was brought about If the police had
done their duty on Monday night, when Mr.. Mac
ready first appeared, there would have been no
.cf tl,t aoI
all might have gone on quietly inside, as well as
outside of the theatre; but are persuaded there
was criminal understanding between portion OF
the police on that night, and the rowdies who drove
Macready from the stage. This was the begin.
ming of the business. The first step was the folly
Of the committee of bluestockings, in the midst
Of the excitement, calling upon Mr.. Macready to
brave public opinion, and their having influence
en- ough with the authorities to bring the mill
AIRY on the ground. Why did they not wait a
week, ten days or fortni hit, until the excitement
and Mr.. Macready might have appeared
without let or hndrance But the committee,
headed by Washington Irving and his confreres,
.cting from the same hasty and thoughtless inn
,use by which the boys themselves were in throw
ng stones, urged on the crisis and the silly policy
IN calling out the military without even warning
the peaceable public of their intentions. In conse-
quence of such impulses and blunderings, thou
sands and thousands of peaceable citizens collect
ed out Of curiosity, not entertaining any idea that
any riot calling for the shedding of blood, would
take place. BY such conglomeration of blunders,
the military, in obedience to their high duties,
were under the necessity of shooting down twenty
five according to the latest accounts) people, and
wounding over fifty besides If such destruction
of human life had taken place on Mexican battle
field, it would have been all right; but, as it now
stands, after excusing the military as they ought to
be excused. the whole blame will fall back on
the rowdies the police, the city authorities, and the
OF bue-stockings who mingled In the
affair.
This is brief birdseye view of the natter
The Grand Jury are now celebrating on the sub
ject Judge Edmonds has again called witnesses
before him.. with the view Of aiding that body