The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-01
the free soil party, having no regular ticket, refus-

the free sol, party, having no regular ticket, refus
ing TO vote.
] am thus minute In regard to past events, be.
affairs here; The party in this city Is at this time
more completely divided than ever before knew
II to be, and the st. Louis democracy have been
notorious for their divisions. A cham Of events,
from the first free soil movement ia Missouri to
the present time shows incontsstibly that the pre-
cent state of affairs here has for its prime mover
wouldbe free soil candidate tor the Presidency in
1862. The instruments OF intrigue have been stea-
dlly at work, and, as have stated, have accom-
plished much. But though they can divide the
democracy OF Missouri, and give the State to the
wings, they may fail to give 1t to Thomas Hart
Bentonln 1862.
The latest political on dit here is that letter has
been received IN town from Senator Benton, dean-
| ing his position on the tree soil question, and
that the same will soon be given to the world =;
but am inclined to the opinion that the ette. mas
already been published, in fact, In the form of a
circular signed by thirty.eisht Of tie faithful
This circular Is the great Senator tell over" II
canvasres the tree soil question fully, fnOt fairly
envelehs against Mr.. Calhoun and The Southern
Convention warmly advocates the claims of the
| North to the choice Of President, Tan old and
| favorite hobby J and, In fact, bears the finger
marks of Col. Benton In every line. This circular
is sprung upon the people OF Missouri at this part-
cular jancture, tor the purpose of preparing the
way" for one soon to cry in this particular wi /
deTness," as well as to break up old organizations
IN the defeat OF the democrats at the ensuing mu.
nlcIpal election.
But enough of politics for the present, though of
| other intelligence have little. We are almost
cut off from regular mail facilities, by the horrd
condition OF thOrouehfares. You will scarcely be.
lieve me when tell you that we seldom see New
York or Philadelphia paper, and thas has been the
for nearly four mOnths-and the worst of it is
the few that stragge through are of the Oldest pos
siole dates 1t is to be hoped that amidst the re-
form of the present administration, post-routes
may receive some attention.
Our town IS enlivened occasionally, you know,
with street fight. We have had one or two OF
this Kind within a few days-not very serious.
F. P. Blair, Jr., about the LIST February challenged
l.. Pickering, the editor OF the Union. Pickering
accepted. but IN the arrangement of terms, insist.
ed on a street encounter Blair would not fight
that way Both published "cards," and SO the
matter, for the time, ended. The other day, Blair
met Pickering, suddenly and Unexpectedly, and
rammed the point of his umbrella In his eye.
Somebody had shooting scrape with Blair few
evenings after, at the court house, where there
was political meeting. Both parties used re-
vovers, and it said, fired, in all, eight times.
Next morning, the Republican, wing paper, came
cut with an assault upon DR.. Performance who Is
supposed TO be in some way connected with this
Union, and rather ungenerOusy charged him with
being the person engaged with Blair in the fight.
The doctor thereupon called on the editor OF The
Republican, A. B. Chambers. for retracton:
Chambers declined. Prefontaine challenged
Chambers, but the latter would not fight, but sued
out peace warrant against the challenger, who
was arrested and held to bail In the sum Of 1000.