The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-05

the people ana ther memorial TO Congress; Letters
from Boston, Canada, Havana, Chagres, &c.; the
Fmemen's Parade in Philadelphia; Accidents on the
Erie Railroad; Wing Letter Writers described by
one Of their number; Weather and Crops in the
South; Trial Relative to the Art Union Lottery;
Meeting Of the Chamber Of Commerce; Proceedings
in the different Courts; Money Market; Trade Re-
port, and great variety of other local intelligence
The Presidency Wing and Democratic
Candldates-Prospects OF the Game.
We have Jet month intervening before we can
have anything definite upon the Presidential ques-
ton. On the first Of June the democrats hold their
National Convention, at Baltimore Among the
most conspicuous aspirants for the nomination are
Glass; Buchanan, Houston, Dickinson, Douglas and
Marcy. Some time ago, Gen. Butler of Kentucky,
stood pretty well forward az the favorite of the
barnburners; but, between Mr.. Breckenridge and
Young America, he seems to have been substantial
ly killed on. Undoubtedly the great struggle at
Baltimore will be between Cass and Buchanan OF
the Northern vote, Cass will have the advantage;
but, from Pennsylvania southwark, Buchanan is, by
all odds, the strongest. Douglas will get some
of the new Western States, in addition to Illinois;
and Houston will have the whole vote of Texas,
tho first ballot. 1t is possible that Cass may have
1914; hut the final rejection of Van Buren, may
also be followed up in the final defeat Of Cass, under
the two-tbirds rule Nothing is certain than
that this rule will be enforced for ii appears that it
| was introduced into the first National Democratic
| Convention at Baltimore, by the friends of Van
Buren, upon his first nomination for the Presidency,
| in 1886, and has been rcligiousiy observed at
every subsequent convention, as the fundamental
| lam nftb al nli / xyaS
not until the defeat of Van Buren,, under this rule,
in 1874, that public attention attracted to the
subject. Hence the mistaken idea that it was first
introduced in ~ the means Of defeating the
Little Magician. The rule, then, will be enforced
at the convention Of 80; and here the question
arises, which Of the democratic candidates is most
likely to command vote Of two-thrds of the con-
vention? The South not partial to Cass. His
opposition to the Missouri compromise line of Sc 30,
his doctrines Of nonintcryontion in the territories,
and his doctrines Of foreign Intervention, are not
adapted to the south side Of Mason s. Dixons line.
Bsidos, he was defeated by Gen. Taylor, and can
hardly, therefore, be set up match for Gen.
Scott Against Taylor, he had only 20 overcome
the battle of Buena Vista but against Scott he will
have to overcome the conquest of Mexico. That
| will make il hard for Gen. Cass. But again. as it
is likely that Buchanan could carry the same States
! which Cass did in 1913, and Georgia and Pennsy-
yania in addition thcrcto-which would be sufficient
to elect him handsomely, the prospect appears to be
in favor Of the old Pennsy lvanian. But then,
again. Young America is wild: and the friends
OF Cas- and Young America, though not able
TO agree upon Cass, may be able to keep
Buchanan in shallow water. In that case, We may
have the curious expedient of 1874 repeated in the
nomination OF some unknown, or not expected
by the politicians Of any party-some such man, for
instance, Dickinson Of New York, or King of
Alabama; or, pcradyenture, Sam Houston, as
promise between Old Fogydom, Young America,
and the Maine Liquor law. In any event, General
Cass, having been defeated by General Taylor, will
hardly be considered as the most available champion
TO against General Scott. Doubtless the wings
would consider the nomination of Cass decisive of
the election OF Scott from the prestige of the cleo
ton Of Taylor.
! With ncw candidate, OF less talents and states
manship than Cass-(for Cas- is statesman Of
character, ability, and talents Of high order)-
but with a new candidate Of smaller caliher, and
no strong points of objection, and no old grudgcs
against him, neither North nor South, the democrats
have yet chance. even against General Scott upon
| his movable platloim. And their advantage is
easy Of solution. The contest will be for the public
| plunder-nothing else. The wings have it
they have il divided out-all the fat Offices in
| the hands Of good wings. Let the wings win,
and they have nothing more to diyide-the outsiders
have nothing to work for, because the spells al
ready appropriated. But with the democrats it is
a clean sweep Tor the whole fifty millions year.
IL will all be clear gain; and with the election OF
democrat there viii be forty thousand Offices for dis
tribution from the jump. This gives moral strength
to the democratic platform, substantial than
the glory of Vera Cruz, and more fascinating than
the storming of Chapultepec. But still, We appro-
bend that it will do to trust to the prestige Of
defeat; and that Gen. Cass will be set aside. and
| perhaps Buchanan. for some man, less objection
able than either to the contending cliQues. Thus
much for the prospects Of The unterrifcd and hum
cry democracy
With regard to the wings, the question may be
considered already settled Scott will be the
nominee, and very likely upon the first ballot, and
upon movable platform, like that Of General
Taylor, barring the letter-writng; for there is to
be no more letter writing, after very careful sort
Of Kane letter accepting the nomination. 1t is
timated that, excepting Georgia, and, perhaps,
Louisiana, Gen. Scott carry every State that
Gen Taylor carried, and Ohio besides, which viii
be enough to elect him. II will become, then, the
policy Of the democrats to play sure game for two
Of the three great States OF New York, Pennsylva-
MA and Ohio. How that is to be done remains to
be tried They have the advantage in the great
moral power Of the public plumber; but the Office
holders viii bleed freely and fight hard.
Upon the slavery question we suppose that both
parties viii compromise it with their abolition allies
in some way and that the agitation Of the Fugitive
Slave law. after the Presidential election, viii be
revived in Congress with more bitterness and vo-
lence Of temper than ever before; and that the
quarrel, thus re.opcnod, viii 60 till slavery is put
down by law, OF by fire and sword, or the Union is
rent in twain. In the meantime the contest for the
Presidency will be purely contest for the pundcr
Of the public treasury