The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-27

with sales of prison barrels at Soc, delivered. Su
ger and coffee were tolerably active, at full prices
The Presidential Question.-Bcginning to
Shake mp the Dice.
Our Geographic adyices of this morning
show that at various points Of the compass the
game for the Presidency has fairly commenced.
The movement at Washington, in behalf of
Daniel s. Dickinson, appears to be the re-
suit of deliberate and we'll digested calcula-
ton of the signs of the times. Leading South.
ern democrats are at the head of it, and their
programme is simple and consistent. 1t is
Dickinson first, or, secondly, some other North
ern man with satisfactory Southern principles.
The North may have the spells, so that the
South get the principles very shrewd idea
of a practical compromise. In this movement
it is proposed that a democratic convention in
Virginia shall take the initiative in July, and
that, preparatory to this, good stiff and stir
ring manifesto, early in March, is to be issued
to the democracy of the South. The object of
this early stirring of the waters is to prevent
the absorption of the Southern democracy by
the Know Nothings, and to check the supposed
democratic encroacbments of this new party in
behalf Of Gen. Houston in the North.
1t is somewhat remarkable that in this ar
rengement, the administration, and all the Cabi-
net old togies and flibusters, appear TO be en-
| tirely overlooked-that the administration, in
fact, is to be suffered to go ty default. and
| to die without galvanizing, like that of
Captain Tyler. In this aspect of the case it is
manifest that some very sensible men are at
the head of this Dickinson movement. The
idea, too, of opening the campaign in Virginia
in his behalf, is not bad. Dickinson was the
first choice of Virginia in 1852 but Marcy dis
agreeing he was necessarily dropped, for fear
of another Buffalo ticket in New York like that
of lS48. Wonder if the Premier will concur ]
this time? 1t would be well to fad out, though
we presume his course, yea or nay, will make
precious little difference concerning the vote of
the Empire State.
In opposition to this Southern Dickinson pro-
gramme, it will be seen that the new American
element. which is predominant in the Legislar
lures of New Jersey and Penusy lvania, has form
ally decided in favor of George Law as the most
available candidate for the Know Nohings, and
that they have written to him upon the subject
accordingly. His answer, in each case, is daily
expected. We think it likely that he will agree
to stand bis hand. In view of q speculation in
volyiag seventy five millions Of dollars year,
and possible market for oil the muskets, flint
lock and percussion, and all the artillery and
steamships in the country, he can hardly de-
cline The lamented Col. johnson, the slayer
of Tecumseh or some other Indian, used 10
say that the Presidency was a post too
responsible TO be sought for, but too iaviting
to he refused, when thrust upon patriotic
man by coDfiding and intelligent people. We
guess that this is the opinion of George Law to
a hair. We may expect. therefore, favorable
response to his friends at Harrisburg aud
Trenton; and that our successful contractor
will Immediately proceed, like General Taylor,
to the study of the "early fathers of the repub-
lic," and the official DRIFT of the Cuba question.
Mr.. Law has formidable rival, however, in
the field, in the person of Gen. Sam Houston,
who is on the walk in the North, as if in
the midst of an actual campaign. The DO
icy of Gen. Houston, in his lectures on the
Indians, the slavery question, and other phi
lantbropic and constitutional subjects appears
TO be an appeal from conventions, caucuses and
wire-workers directly to the people themselves.
How it will work remains to be seen; but that
be is getting up considerable outside pressure
in his favor in these atitudes cannot be doubted.
In another view his plan is exactly the oppo.
cite of that of the democratic reconstruction
movement at Washington. The leaders in that
movement propose Northern man upon G
Southern platform; and Gen. Houston, in his
own behalf proposes Southern man with the
Northern conservative principles of the Koow
Nothings as far as necessary for their support.
Thus the game commences. The admnsCra-
tioD is ignored; and the existence OF o whig
party has ceased to be rec ognized. The issue
lies between the projected re. organization of
the democratic party upon a Southern basis
with Northern candidate, and the new Ameri-
can party with its novel, comprehensive, ex-
citing and popular principles OF reform. The
Seward anti-slavery alliance IRE holding off
like guerillas in the back ground, watching
their chance to cut in for the spoils. Tne,e
complications ard counter checks arising from
the debris of the late old party reyulsioos are
very interesting; but they will be still more
curious and important "a the game progresses.
What has become of the TammaDy Hall projff2
Let us hear from the coal hole.
The GAMBLING DENs -FIGuTINa SuY.-S jme
Of our contemporaries arc making a considerable
boast OF the fact that Sergeant Lciferts, of the
reserve corps, and his squad, assisted Ivy Capt.
Mailing, Of the Eighteenth ward police, aud a
section of his men, on Saturday night, N lde .
descent upon u gambling boue kept by VIII |
liam o'Dornell, at No. 332 Third avenue, and
arrested nireteen persons, Who. at the time,
we've engaged in gambling fer money and that /