The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-27


occupied in the responsibilities of his situation.
and that Messrs. Collamer, Crawford and Preston
are sufficiently delighted at their present impor-
lance, and sufficiently modest to desire no higher
Among the wings, Clayton appears to be an Oh.
ject of apprehension, Ewing OF alarm, and Cola
mer Of regret. Johnson and Preston are the only
original Taylor men of the lot the others, who are
not looking forward for themselves, look back with
remorse upon the fate OF Henry Clay.
Mr.. Clayton is tactclan, and plumes himself
upon his sagaclty. He is, however, if we mis-
take not, the father of the tariff of 49, for had he
let Janaeln alone, the bill would have remained in
committee, because without Jarnagin's vote it
could not have been recalled Let that pass. Mr..
Clayton's present object is to build up a new wing
party on the ruins of the old-to come down from
the lofty battements OF whlg excuslveness more
nearly to the level OF the people-to sustain the
card of the campaign of 45 as far as CONSISTENT
with the main object of the expulsion OF the loco
ioS2s In other IT. terms, ne would recognise the
abandon on many points the old exclusive whig
dogmas for more liberal notions He would do it
as matter of policy. He has tried the expert
ment and il has failed. The democratic votes for
General Taylor have gone back, and they cannot
be recalled but by the same bold act Of the adj
MISUNDERSTANDING positive and not mega
tye-such an act. for instance, as the &C Iuistion
Of Cuba, the recognition of Hungary or the ex-
pulsion of the British from the Mosquito coast or
the annexation of Canada. Two or three positive
things like these would put Mr.. Clayton in fair
way tor the succession: The difference between
wing and democratic ideas is, that those Of the for
mer are negative, of the latter positive. To hold
the relns against the democracy, the administers
ton must assume n positive position before the
word-mustbe the advocate and agent of positive
measures, adapted TO the progressive spirit of the
people. negative stand still position will hardly
last year. Ii Is the ambition of the people to see
the country progressing, and the commanding attl-
tude Of the government impressed upon other ma
lions The age of i" mastery inactivity" is gone
and this is the age OF action. who does
nothing loses caste; government that does
thing must cease TO be popular.
MIR. Meredith is man OF brilliant talents, but
inexperienced as politician and statesman in a
commanding post. great deal depends upon his
hrst report to Congress, and 1t will require all his
ability to rebut the evidence of Secretary Walker
We doubt not, however, he will present a strong
array OF statistics IN favor of increased protection
to lran and coal, as calculated to advance our ma
nufactures OF iron, the work at the coal mines, and
10 reduce the prices of iron and coal-a thing which
il is hard, from the rules of arithmetic, to compre-
bend. But, as there yet is time enough to touch
upon the prospective reports OF the Secretaries,
shall waive further speculations upon them for the
present. The ability, the talents the capacity Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury will be exhibited in
his report. The reports Of Mr.. Walker established
him as one of the very ablest nanclers OF the day;
and II Mr. Meredith exhibits the same abilities, or
an equal capacity for the office, he may command
his own price OF the wing party. The finances,
next to the great measures of policy before the
State department, afford the most profitable capital
But, OF all the men in the cabinet, Mr.. Ewing
is the most positive. He is, indeed the only ul-
ira wing" of the corps. The position of Henry
Clay upon every public question is his position and
"quait ter over" on The provso. The utraism"
Of the cabinet is not to be measured by their una
nlmiiy in the work Of rotaton. They are providing
for their friends. They will soon have TO provide
for the country and the government, in cOnjunc-
ton with Congress. The sanction of the prOviso
either for New Mexico or California, lops off a
member or two OF the cabinet-a veto dissolves it.
And, # California comes In as State, the free
soilers have yet to insist on territorial govern.
mon, for New Mexico-the whole Of New Mexico,
not that slip OF barren mountains west of the Rio
Grahde, but the fifteen hundred miles Of valley,
and the town of Santa Fe, and other towns on the
eastern slde-that to say, the five sixths Of the
whole territory now claimed by Texas. The free
soers will never consent TO ITS cession to Texas
the South will not consent to the provis0-the
North will not permit the introduction Of slavery.
Ii is question which will test the unity of the
cabinet In any shape, und in one form other it
will have to be met.
IL Is all PLAIN sailing now; but from and after the
meeting oi Congress, the unity OF the cabinet, and
the strength and capacity of Its several members,
viii begin, and only then begin, be tried by ex-
perlments. The session will not expire without
eiiectng it's changes Its improvements. In any
event. II will be the duty of the President to go
forward, without stopping 10 weep over the killed
and wounded, and without heeitating in the duty
1t II should become apparent, OF recognizing his
ministerial family. The Senate will most certain
ly require an explanation of the work of proscTil-
ton in the Post Office and Home DEPARTMENT.:
aud we are authorized to say, that they will not
stop short OF impressing upon General Taylor tho
extent to which this work has been prosecuted.
Verify, there 10 good time coming"