The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-18

This is a more important matter than the simple |
nomination Of candidate for the Presidency, be- |
cause, if the platform should be bad one, it will
fall and with il the candidate. 1t is apparent that
the two most promine wings before the country as
candidates fog the Presidency, are General Scott
and Mr.. Webster, Secretary Of State, both OF
whom will be urged by their respective friends on
the Lancaster Convention, and every effort made
10 have them nominated. The lucky one will, Of
course, have an advantage over the other, for
Pennsylvania exercises great influence in the con-
ventions. Accordingly, we see that great prepara-
lions are beirg made New York and other cities,
by the friends of both, to influence the Lancaster
Convention in their choice. The friends Of Mr..
Webster and those of General Scott, from different
quarters, will be present at this convention, and
will work for their respective favorites. If Mr..
Webster's cause were backed and supported by the
influence of the government at Washington-if Mr..
Fillmore and the cabinet would throw their weight
10 his favor-it is not improbable that the conven-
ton would agree upon nominating him in preference
to General Scott. But it is very doubtful if any
such aid will be extended to Mr.. Webster, because
MIR Fillmore, and almost, if not ALL Of the ca onet
are themselves in the field. Here and there through
out the country we find paper favorable to the no.
mination of Mr. Fillmore; and Mr.. Crittenden and
Mr. Corwin a likewise mentioned in the same
way. The most prominent of the candidates con-
nected with the government, are NJ. Fillmore and
Mr. Webster OF course their interests conflict,
and the consequence is, the administration is power
,ess in exercising any influence in favor of either.
In the meantime, the fiends Of Gen. Scott are
not idle. The is Scott Committee in this city,
headed by Mr. Charles King, which is energetica
~ but secretly, working and oper iting in his ia ,or
with the view Of influencing all conventions. The
probability now is that Gen Scott will get the non
nation. But the platform which the wings of Penn
syvania will make this occasion, will be more i'm
portant than their nomination. 1t will, in fact, be
everything the country now stands; and, if We are
not very much mistaken, the delegates will expe-
rience great deal of difficulty in agreeing upon the
proper timber. 1t will be foolish for them to ad
journ without making one and if they should make
any nomination without endorsing the conpro-
mise measures of the last session of Congress- they
will not only leave themselves open to attack
throughout the whole country, but they and their
candidate will be repudiated by all the Southern
and slayeholdng states. The free sellers Of Penn
sylyauia strong in numbers; but'they Eaye not,
up to this time taken active part in any agita-
ton Of the slavery question, although Mr. Wilmot
belongs to that State. But if the Lancaster Con-
yenton should re- nominate Mr.. Johnston as candi-
date for Governor, and Gen. Scott as their candi-
date for the Presidency, aud not endorse the COM
promise measures Gen. SCOTS chances will be very
much injured, and he will be prevented from re-
ceiving any support from the South.
All these conside ations confirm W in the opinion
We expressed on several occasions, that there ID
great likelihood Of the next Presidential election
being settled and determined by the House OF Rep
nesentatyes.
TRIAL or TIE MICHIGAN COMMUNICATIONS
SAL GAsos.-Thc trial Of the batch Of conspirators
who were recently arrested in Michigan Is now go
ing on in Detroit and the develope nents that are
being made are horrifing in the extreme. Tas
villapy that is coming to light concerning the prac-
tees Of tie gang, is hardly credible; but we are
bound to believe it, for il i solemny sworn to by
several witnesses, aud CO rrobora.ed by circum-
stances
Similar bands Of pirGtors have, in times past,
exis ed in Engand and in France, az well a. in this
country. Every remembers the notorious Mar
rell gang in the Southwest; and more recently We
have had one in New York, which was a very ex-
ensiye organization, and effected great deal of
mischief We allude to the celebrated . stool pi-
gcon gang" which was formed for the purpose OF
getting up indictments against innocent men, using
criminals fer manufacturing testimony, and making
cur courts Of justice actually their agents and IN
struments for carrying their purposes into effect
This.exssisye combination composed of ed-
tors, reporters police officers and others, TO the
number oftwenty or thirty but they bare been all
scattered to he winds. Some are IN the State pri-
son. sou e committed suicide, and others have fed
from justice, which taey knew was about to over
take TEEN. They became % dangerous tha: pub
lie safety demanded il should &c broker up. This
was .s,pe, and the community wes relieved Of
them.