The New York herald., 1849-05-31

the great struggle on the oner Slue OI the AtdntiC
between liberty and despotism, and are awaiting
the receipt Of the news by the Niagara, with the
greatest interest. The Niagara is over due at
Hafa , and her intelligence may come over the
wires at any moment.
Democratic Leaders and the Wiimot Pro-
viso-Generai Taylor and his Policy.
new movement has just been commenced by
Mr.. Benton in Missouri, with view to the re-or-
ganization of the democratic party there, on the
Wilmot provso principle, similar to that in which
Mr.. Van Buren has been engaged, for the last year
or two, in the Northern States 1t seems that, In
speech lately delivered by this Senator, of the
principal topics was denunciatory reputation of
the position assumed by Mr.. Calhoun in his last
Southern address. This remarkable movement on
the part of Mr. Benton, is only part of the same
game Of division and reorganization Of the demo-
cratic party which has been gradually maturing
and coming to head for the last two or three
years. resulting the utter demolition of that party
in the late Presidential election and the triumph of
Genera Taylor The old democracy of the free
States have been torn to pieces by the adoption of
the vii proviso as party ssue and it is now
probable hat, as far as possible, something of
similar Kind will be attempted in some of the more
northern of the slave States, as we see in this
movement in Missouri. 1t Is part OF the same
great game which is in progress for the re-construc-
ton Of partes preparatory to the Presidential con-
test in 1852
Among the democrats 1t is generally believed
that the whig party and the whig leaders do not
possess sufficient administrative talent to organize
permanent party in the country; and they will,
as a matter of course, be left in the most wofu
minority at the next presidential election. Although
the democratic party at the North and at the South
may be distracted by the Wilmot provso question
for the next year or two, still the settlement OF
that question cannot be protracted beyond two or
three years. The people of California will settle
that issue for themselves; and it is probable that
circumstances will settle it for New Mexico.-
When this natural settlement of this disturbing
question takes place, then the democratic party
of the North and South will be in position to
re-unite their elements, and will, probably, consi
der themselves formidable enough to defeat the
whig party and the wing administration, with all
the forces which they can muster at the next ge-
neral election.
In the meantime, the great leaders of the demo-
cratic party are all endeavoring to find out the
strongest platform on which they can place their
pretensons, their hopes, their claims, and their
principles of action. In the North, Mr.. Van Buren,
has already constructed his platform. Mr.. Benton
is, we see busy in the erection of his platform
and Mr. Calhoun, in the extreme South, set up his
last spring.
The only chance, however, that Mr. Benton has
of demo. hing The influence of Mr. Calhoun in the
South, arises from the extreme zeal of the latter,
urging him beyond the bounds OF moderation, for
bearance and practical utility. The administration
at Washington would undoubtedly unite with Mr..
Benton and others, TO put down Mr.. Calhoun on
this Southern question, a. General Jackson put
him down on the notification question, if the South
Carolina Senator ''put his foot into it, to
the same extent that he did in that memorable
crisis. But it is probable that Mr. Calhoun has
learned wisdom since that time, and judges more
sobery and accurately of the state of public opin-
ion, than he formerly did; and that, although he
may take up strong ground in favor of what he
may regard the rights of the South, yet that he
will rest his opinion, or practical action, far
TO prevent natural reunion of all the democratic
elements of the Southern, Northern and Western
States, before the election of Is52-when that
will take place. After the settlement Of the
Wilmot rroviso-which is unavoidable before that
period-hen Mr. Calhoun, MIR. Benton. Mr.. ivan
Buren, and all the other democratic leaders, with
convention, and take the chance for the nomna-
tion-thai is to say. stock tie cards, and have a
new "dear and new 'trumps,' for 1852.
All this fight about the Wilmot proviso, in the
North IN the West and Va The South, and al this
excitement among the democratic elements, urged
and tanned 10y those parry LEADER, are intend
ed merely 10 secure 10 each Of those distinguished
men the strongest position which they can reach
before the general union Of the democracy in 1850
and 1861 for they deem it very certain that the
wing leaders and the whg party have not admi-
nistrave talent sufficient to unite the wing party
in the different sections Of the country, even with
the aid Of General Tsylo popularity. This is
proceed but the whole matter is as yet problem,
the solution Of which will depend on the conduct
Of the administration at Washington. The foreign
and domestic policy Of General Taylor-the wis
dom and discretion of his cabinet modera-
tion and good sense Of his supporters Of all kinds,
IN different States, during the next two or three
years, VIII exercise powerful influence in shap-
ing events; and ssyet, all these things are dark
and uncertain
thus lar, the administration Of General TayIor
has been chiefly occupied n the small business o,
making removals and appontmerts-;n de.l;n,
out 1.-THE spoils." The noise made .iou ,h,s
petty business, by the venerable Ritchie IN the
one side, and Brooks, and Gule, and ia. disao.
pointed candidates. on inc other, is ridiculous and
farcical What do The great body Of American
feemen care about ihc distribution OF the