The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-04


the matters between Mr.. Whittlesey and Mr. Cor
win, at Washington, and other matters now decided
apon in that city-and, also, the question in
Georgia, with respect TO secession. The crowded
state Of our columns will not permit further al!u-
msn to the miscellaneous intel gen,e by telegraph
---
Meeting at Tamraany Han-Freedom of the
Public Lands-Attempt at Deception.
The free soil democrats Of this city, or at least, a
portion Of them, held public meeting at Tammany
Hall last evening, forthe purpose, the call stated,
o. responding to the action of the democratic
Senators and representatives in Congress, on the
nengrossng and important question Of the free
dom OF the public lands and for the purpose Of com
bi,ing all true democrats in ENGRAVING that mea-
sure as one OF the cardinal principles Of the demo
cratic party report Of the proceedings will be
found in another part OF to days paper According
70 .'ancient usage several distinguished gentle
men" were invited to be present and speak, but
none Of them saw fit to show their countenances on
the occasion.
We have few words to state on the object and
purpose Of this meetng-we don't mean the osten-
uble, or apparent object, but the real one, which
1t was attempted 70 conceal, BY keeping it in the
background but which we shall take the liberty
Of revealing that the whole world, and the 'rest
Of mankind especially the simple-hearted but
honest masses Of the " fierce democracie' may be
undeceiyed in the matter. We would, in the first
place, make the simple inquiry who were at the
bottom of this movement, and why was this meet
ing about the freedom Of the public lands called at
this particular juncture We shall answer these
questions, ami if we are wrong in our surmses and
opinions, We open to conviction.
This NEE ting called by the anti slavery sec
6on OF the democratic party in this city, and ma
jority if not all, Of those who figured on the occa-
sion, are freesoil democrats. We shall not ailude
20 any Of them by name bu. the fact is undenlable
Such being the case what was their object in calling
Ahe rneetingl We shall explain it IN very few
words, according to our habit, for We detest pro-
kxity In brief, then, the meeting was called for
The express purpose Of dodging the great question:
the " all-engrossing topic Of the day, not the
"vote yourself a-farm question, but the question
Of slavery agitation. The barnburners, who called
this meeting, seeing, and no doubt appreciating,
the wonderful reaction that has recently been wit
messed in this and other Northern States, on the
subject Of continued slavery agitation, and the com
promise measures Of the last session Of Congress,
and cowed, and abashed, and overwhelmed, a
they must be- at the outburst Of honest pa
triotism among the masses Of the people'
which has recently been witnessed in the
Eor.h, wished to raise smoke, under cover Of
which they might dodge the great issue Of the day.
and prepare to fight the next Presidential battle, on
the question Of the freedom Of the public lands-a
question which il would be difficult TO make an issue
Of between the whig and democratic parties for Mr..
Webster has announced, on more than one occasion,
his adhesion to the principle. This i the secret Of
this meeting and Of this movement on the part Of
the barnburners
Now, we have 10 idea that this piece Of trickery
and deception shall be successful A. far as We are
concerned. We are determined that the barnburners
and freesoilers, whg and democratic, shall meet
Mis- issse-that they shall face the music, and
declare openly and above board, whether they will
srnot consider the compromise measures Of the last
Congress full and 6nal settlement Of the dangerous
agitation which has perplered the country for the
last year or two. and which now threatens the
dissolution OF the Union Every other question i
o. no consequence at present compared TO this, and
must be set aside until this fully and fairly disposed
a. and set at rest for ever. Il il not sectional
question, in which one portion q the republic has
more interest than another. II concerns, vitality
concerns, every state Il the Union, and involves
not only the continuance q this republic, but the
h,e Of liberal opnions-yes, the cause ofliberty H.
self. In Europe. Every public man IN Europe feels
Aha, the success Of liberty IL tina, part Of the world
depends IN great measure On the preservation 4
the American republic intact.
In thi. view Of the case, great importance must
uesessarily attach to the position which Mr. Clay,
ana Al Webster. and General Cas-, and other
distinguished men, who had the courage . meet
has
truth i. We are in the commencement Of great
cycle II revolution 10 relation 70 men and parties
in ,his country. At the present time have three
great political platforms-we have the anti-siaYery
platform, the constitutional platform, and the olc
fashioned platform, which i stil the same With The
two great regular parties, whig and democratic
We have four factions in our midst-the uitras Q
The south. the ultras Of the North. and the tw
oil factions We have, probably, twenty Of
thirty candidates for the next Presidency, al
Of whom are more or lcss identified with these
parties and fractional parties. The existence
Of these fractional parties has grown out o
the antislavery agitation, and su,h being the
case, the questionable great question Of the day
cannot be lodged by any party or any faction. II
would be we'll, therefore, for the friends OF th'
Union in this city, and in this State, 10 be up ane
doing, and without regard, at present, to any othe
ouestion, to commence organization forthw
and ascertain what journals will be with them an'
will he true to them, what men wall act on commit
,ecs and conventions, and prepare properly for tn
Presidential contest in this state and througheu
Che Eorth--a contest which, a. far a. the North
concerned will be one between the constitution an
che aalislsyery eIeme nts 80 Prevsisns here