The New York herald., 1850-03-14
The Metropolis or New Y0rk-yts COmmsr.
cial Position and r, aspects.

eial Position and r, aspects.
The greatness and wealth Of this remarkable
city, have been won by the activity energy enter
prise and berality ofhalf century, dating frsm the
adoption of the preseat constitution of the Union
AT that early period New York was only the second
or third commercial metropolis of the Union. The
advantages of its central position, the hberalty of
its instuhOns,th energy Of its merchants land the
enlightened spirit OF its newspaper press, including
Its political ncies, ave beenthe great and lead
ing causes of its growth and wonderful develops-
ment. Any public event, any capricious direction
OF public opinion, calculated to impair that COM
mercal prosperity, becomes at once matter Of the
deepest Importance to its merchants, its traders,
is bankers, Its fnanciers, and its workingmen.
All these classes depend on its interests, and are
bound up IN its prosperity.
What are our prospects at this momentl and
how are they affected We are informed from the
best sources of intelligence, that the opening of
the spring trade IN this city presents some lndca-
tons and some Developments Of rather singular
character, In connection with the present excite
ment and the present controversy between diffe-
rent sections of the Union In relation the slavery
| question During the last few months, the great
Southern staples have increased In value, and en-
vet we credlby believe, from information which
we have received, that large portion of the trade
from the Southern States, which has heretofore
been concentrated IN this city, has been gradually
Withdrawing IRON 1t, and taking the direction Of
Baltimore and Philadelphia On inquring into
the cause OF this sudden and caprlcious
change in the Southern trade, IN which this me-
tropolis is so much interested, we have been con-
| lsl. Al.
be attributed to the undying energy and organiza-
ton which have existed in this metropolis, and in
this great Saie for the last few years. in favor OF
the most extreme antslavery agitation, looking to
an utter hostility and Injury TO Southern institu-
! tIons and Southern rights.
This view Of our commercial interests and pros
penty beng menaced, not affected or visionary,
and is not without some concurring evidence in
other quarters. In the recen, public NEE tngs, held
here and elsewhere, including Philadelphia and
Baltimore, a spint has been developed in the
public mind, and among political circles, highly
unfavorable to the continuance Of the good feeling
which has hitherto existed between New York
and the Southern commercial cities, and Southern
commercial men. Ii Is true, that in the recent
meetings at Tammany Hall and Castle Garden,
efforts were made by men who participated in those
assemblages, indicating their sympathy with, and
their support for, the constitutional rights OF the
South; bat these meetings were only half deve-
loped mere forced assemblages, without either the
concurrence or sympathy Of those public men, or
leading politicians Of both parties, whose views
have influence over the masses, who can make
any lasting impression the State, and in the halls
OF our Legislature. In fact, the negro assembsge
held IN Marion Street Presbyterian Church, on
Tuesday evening, to endorse the views aud prin-
cipes Of Seward, and to denounce Clay, Calhoun,
and Webster, will have more Influence than our
whitemen's meetings or whI,e-men's orators.
And whyl Because they were bold, direct,
practical, and pointed IN their deelaraiions-ts
declared their preference for insuuecton, war,
blood and carnage, TO the continuance Of the
Union under Its existing compromises by the pre-
sent constitution.
What was the character Of those meetings in
favor OF the Union and affecting TO be friendly 10
the South
The meetings at Tammany Hall, instead
Of developing any true, constitutional, broad,
comprehensive ground, calculated to soothe
the irritating question now agitated at Wash
ington, between the Northern and the South
ern States, presented SIMPLY local, and vio-
lent, and debssing contests for ascendency, Of
one faction over another They were charac-
,erzed by no ennobhng principles or national spirit
of compromise. They exhibited nothing bu, the
usual low, and groveling, and party contests, that
might attend the result of local election at the
Five Points. The moral influence of Tammany
Hall was lost and evaporated amidst the fumes OF
rowdyism, retng and something Of a worse cha
rsc:er than were seen AT those meetings. None
Of the leading politicians belonging TO the demo-
cratic party took part those assembliges, and,
indeed, the most conspicuous Of the speakers on
those occasions, were undoubtedly those who have
been too long connected with rowdyIsm IN our
city. Did the meeting at Castle Garden indicate
any superiority of influence, or any other develope-
ment of the public mind Of New York BY no
means. That meeting was called by the most re-
spectacle merchants OF this city. The public men
and leading spirits Of the whig party were invited
to give their sentiments, and express their desire
Of compromising the difficulties between the North
and the South but they did no; heed the invita-
uon, and avoided the scene. Even the whig CON.
miiiee, bound up with the fortunes OF Mr. Clay,
repudiaied all connection, all responsibility for the
character and tendency Of the meeting at Castle
Garden.
These recent union meetings, therefore, IN this
city, although emanailng from the sound sense OF
our commercial interests and commercial mea Of
both parties, were discountenanced by the leading
politicians Of both, and were controlled entirely
10y persons without name, position, character, or
standing, or any influence on the public mind OF
either Party. Mr. Whiting and Mr.. White were
the only speakers at Castle Garden. and their po-
linea history Is well known to present nothing but
a series of changes and secondary formations, Ike
the crus, of this earth. Although they are eo-
queni and talented men, they are without political
position, floating between party and party and. as
such, are not the men for such crisis as that
which now menaces the country. and which ls still
unsettled at Washington, according TO the lasl ac-
counts.
But while none but such opinions as these an
be formed Of the character OF those meetings in
favor Of a spirit OF compromise between the North
and the South. il must be allowed tina, the assem-
bages called for the same purpose in Phadelphla
and Baltimore, have presented FAR better spirit,
end been participated IN by men of higher rank and 4