The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-17

recovered in time TO take an active part in the
splendid operations before the city of Mexico. Mr.
Clemens, as a colonel, was attached TO the same
army, as he was previously attached TO the column
OF Gen. Taylor. Mr.. Shields and Mr. Clemens
are both democrats OF the ultra school, on general
politics; bur their participation in, and tn cir expe
rence and observation OF the glory of Gen. Scott,
in his conduct of the southern column, from the
isle Of Lobos TO the grand plaza OF the city OF
Mexico override with the all political differ
ences. They regard Gen. Scott as the very empe-
ror Of military chieftains, and as fellow soldiers
in his glorious achievemen ts, they are disposed to
remember him and reward him. Hence, while
we have Mr.. Clemens as the originator Of the re-
solution, we have Mr.. Shields to call il up to the
attention OF the Senate, 10 the precedence of all
other business.
Mr.. AtchisOn, as test question, moved to lay
Is. And here we find Gen. Cass and Gen. Hous-
ton voting in favor of the motion But whether
this vote was the result Of military jealousy Of
considerations OF legislative caution, is not for US
TO say. Men are al liberty TO suspect, however,
that with the prospect before us, Of having Gen
Scott a candidate for the Presidency, there are
gentlemen who may suppose that it is inexpedient,
by any vote of the Senate, to give Scott any addi-
tional lift " to that high Office" because his mill
tary glory will be hard enough to cope with just
1t stands. That is a plausible inference; but we
do not press il. We admit that the ground of Oppo-
sition to the resolution by Gen. Cass and Gen.
Houston, is, that il may look as an unnecessary
laudation of Gen. Scott, at the expense of other
meritorious officers of the army. Gen. Houston
however, explains for himself, as will be seen from
our brief but consecutive review of the debate.
Mr.. Rhett and MIR. Butler were In favor of the
resolution. Good for South Carolina The Pal
metto regiment fought under Gen. Scott. More
over, it may be deslIous on the part South Cara,
lima to bring Gen. Scott out upon the Presidential
track, in order TO scatter to the winds the existing
fragments OF the old party platforms for II Is not
to be presumed that Gen. Scott can possibly run
a.sk - II
schedules; and il he runs independently, he is
pretty sure TO run the election into the House,
where the South will have pretty nearly an equal
chance with the North.
military career Of Gen. Scott, delightful to listen
TO. He thought that the experiment of Col. Polk
10 appoint Col. Benton Lieut. General OF the armies
OF Mexico. was poor thing; but that the appoint
ment, if conferred on Gen. Scott, would be an
admirable thing, in which we entirely concur Ii
would be an admirable thing The remarks of Mr..
Clay safi sly us, however, that he has the notions
Of other men. His hit at Colonel Benton was ga
papablc hit but il mus. be remembered there
has been no love lost between them SAGE the over
throw of the Compromise bill We admit the
validity OF the eulogium on General Scott; and the
enthusiasm of Mr.. Clay 10 entirely consistent with
bis declarations on this subject while Gen. Taylor
was yet alive. Let no man, however, presume TO
suspect that the nomination of the Philadelphia
Convention has had, or could have, the slightest
b airing upon Mr. Clay's opinions OF the respective
military services of Gen. Scott and Gen Taylor.
But there is another view of the case which is
some thing of puzzle. If the mantle of the Sage
of Ashland OF his good will and stock in trade for
the Presidency is TO be assigned to General Scott,
upon what terms Is II to be made That is some
thing of a puzzle; and upon what understanding
are Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Webster TO acquiesce ia
this arrangement AT all events, the speech Of
Mr. Clay looks like a speech in favor Of General
Scott for the Presidency.
The opposition OF Mr. Hale, q free soiler, and
the advocacy Of Gov Seward, another free soiler,
(avan Nod, lii IN th0 nstlls
Gen Scott is put up for the grand steepe chase.
Seward, Of course, is bound TO hang on to strong
mans coat tail; bat Hale ID somewhat conscien-
tious in the matter of principle, and will require
direct free soil null hcatIon pledge of his candi-
date, which Seward will not require, availability
being his creed, and the means that will secure
the end his set Of principles Scott is the man for
Seward-Scott has a glorious military popul irity,
and that is enough for Billy the flexible Prnci.
pies are altogether, with him, secondary con-
sideration. The man that's mort likely TO beat is
The man for Billy, and yet his calculations may
fall short. Who knows
Gen Foote, (out of the Senate General Of the
nilitia,) thought the argument of Seward incon-
sistent in itself. Strange, rather for Foote. Sew.
ard urged the resolution, because Gen Scott had
been somewhat censured by the late admnistra-
tion-that is to say, Governor Marcy had over
hauled the hero Of Mexico; and yet Governor
Seward puts in the appeal that Governor Marcy is
his particular friend, which seemed to puzzle Foote
more than anything else. He could not, for the
soul Of hun, understand how Marcy could be the
particular friend Of Seward. Foote scratched
his head, but he could not make it out The de-
claration OF Seward that Marcy was his parteu-
lar friend. was to much for Foote.
Little Douglas was bothered what to do, but ex-
planned conditional support OF the resolution. II
was evident there was some trouble about u; but
the Judge 10 shrewd politician.
The controversy between Gen DAVIS and Gen.
Foote UPON the respective military merits OF lay
Tor end Scott, in Mexico, was somewhat outside
Of The question; but for all that, II was agree able
IN nd hear (,sn llayis afsnd 10 N defence a
the CLAIMS OF his old commander, now IN bis grave;
and to do this in the style ofa mau who thoroughly
understands the subject, scientifically and prac;i-
cally, at which he was speaking
Mr.. Downs thought this yves Presidential ops
ration. Quite likely. Gen. Foote. no ~ever, waa
right 10 caution hrs democratic friend upon such
construction. Upon the hnsl vote We had Gen:
Cess missing, while old San Jacinio stood up aud
put in his negative, strong and bold II will not
hurt him; and we suppose il Gen. Cass had re-
meined he would have voted the same way. The
whole affair l. very curious.
Altogether, we make Presidential case out OF
IT, Itis clear Gen Scott is to be 10 the field; and
very likely the National wing candidate; bat still
more likely the Northern wing candidate. Is is
clear that he is TO be entered for the race.
WAsnrsoTos, Feb -, 1851.
The Case n Fdther RitChie-Ths Patent Laws
DeiGv ~ Baares, Sc.
Father III chic will he relieved, and il he gets
what the resolution before the House proposes
TO give him, he will make, al least, $4,000 out OF
his ruinous contract for the public printing. The
contractors tor the work for the next Congress
having contracted TO il at nearly lte, il
not for lees han Mr.. Ritchies prices, we suppose
they too will apply for relief before their contracts
expire.
There has been some approach TO the Cheap
Postage bill, to-day Mr. Rusk moved that the
amendments be pripted-ahd ihafs all. The
committee have totally changed The plan Of the
House bill; and Il the measure can possibly be got
through the Senate In any torn, Il VIII probably De
too late for the House The chances 81 cheap
hostages this session are teComing small by de-
rftes, and almost good for nothing. la fact, we
thibk that these boP.tul fellow citizens who have
been counting upon reduction, mos ~ well posi-.
pone their expectations a. The next session OF
Congress
TIE advocates Ct an amtndmsn, 81 the paten.
lave, from the refusal to tale AZ he 1il to-day