The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-31

OH BULLION AND TIE NnsosnI DExomA1s--
The two factions of the democratic party In
Missouri-the hards and the softs-hold the
converse Of the relative position to each other,
Of the same factions in New York. In this
State the hard shells are so called from dis
position to hold the supporters Of Van Buren, in
1848 on the stool Of repentance for some time,
before admitting them into full party COM
munion-the soft shells, including the Van
Burenites themselves, on the other hand are
disposed to bury the Ratchet, and fraternize
upon sort of general recognition of the Balti-
more platform. In Missouri this classification
is reversed. The hards, Of which faction Col.
Benton is the head have held, heretofore, similar
notions on the slavery question with our soft
shells; but they are termed in Missouri the
"hards," because of their opposition to banks,
and of the hostile position they have taken
against the Calhoun wing, called by Colonel
Benton the disunionists of the party, who
must be expelled.
Upon this issue the party in Missouri was di-
vided some two years ago, in the election for
Congress and the Legislature, the most impor-
tant consequence of which was the defeat Of Col.
Benton for the Senate, and the election of Mr..
Geyer Ia whig,) in his place, which was effected
| by junction of the softs, or anti-Benton men,
with the wings In this movement Mr.. Atchi-
son, now the President pro tenn. of the United
States Senate, is regarded as having been the
leader; and though the result was the election
of wing, and thus far defeat to the demo-
cratic party, it was still a triumph of the softs
over Benton, and it was thought that he was
hung up to dry.
But Old Bullion is not SO easily disposed Of
At the last Congressional election in Missouri,
he ran as an independent candidate in the st.
Louis district against one Of the softs and the
wing, and slipped handsomely in between them.
In the Presidential election, the hards and softs
rallied together, as in New York, for Pierce and
King; but now it seems the old dirty squabble
is again revived upon the division of the plum
der. The staunch old maxim of honesty
among thieves" is too honest for your scurvy
party politicians.
The late correspondence between Messrs.
Phelps and Lamb, members Of Congress from
Missouri, under the protection of the softs, and
COL Benton, the chief of the hards, shows that
while they are disposed to reduce him to ca
pitulation, he sends back their flag Of truce in
scorn and contempt. from which the corollary
is inevitable, that the war is again to be car
ried into Africa.
Old Bullion, if he lives and holds his present
robust health, will be the life and soul Of the
next House Of Representatives and will make
the fur fly from the backs Of the youngsters
who shall dare to hold him as communicated
from the party. He isjust in that position and
frame of mind for cutting and thrusting right
and left. which will make him an invaluable
acquisition to the House. The fedglings and
hawbucks of that honorable body of raw ma
terials have for some time required man to
take the place Of John Quincy Adams; and
there need be no fear that Benton will not
exercise the prerogatives accorded to such q
privileged character.
The end Of the quarrel in Missouri will proba-
bly, be junction, Of the Benton men with the
wings in the election of wing to the Senate, in
the place of Mr.. Atchison-thus paying him off
in his own coin. Such are the harmonies and
concord Of the harmonious democracy.
PACIFIC RAuR0AD.-We understand that the
law of the last Congress, providing for a sur
vey of the country between the Mississippi
valley and the Pacific Ocean, with reference to
the most feasible route for the construction Of
railroad, is to be carried out by detailing
two or three surveying companies, each upon
different line. Mr.. Stevens, the Governor
for the new Territory Of Washington, (the
northern half of Oregon.) will, it is said, take
charge of the extreme northern line by way Of
the valley of the Columbia river. The plan Of
different surveying expeditions simultaneous
ly in the field. is a good one. If properly at
tended to, all the practical routes to the Pa
cifc, from the Paso del Norte to the South
Pass, may be thoroughly examined and re-
ported upon by the next meeting of Congress
In the meantime, what has become Of the bill
for the incorporation by our Legislature of the
Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company? Why
should not New York be ready to lead off in
the grand work, when the surveys shall have
been completed? In any event, we can
imagine no possible mischief that can happen
to any body from the passage Of the bill. Let
us have the thing started. Pass the bill.
MUNIcIPAI. REFoRA.-There is to be a great
meeting at Tammany Hall, tonight, relative to
city reform. This is good sign. It comes
just in time. We hope that the report and bill
submitted to the Legislature on Tuesday, will
be taken into confederation and endorsed. 1t
will be impossible to getup better bill in time
for action at the present session Let the meet
ing at old Tammany be full and emphatic in
this business. We understand that the Hon.
George Bancroft, John Van Buren,, James T.
Brady, and others, will speak. Let them come
ont holdlu and tn tho nurnoao Now that tho