The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-30

REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE AT SILVER SPRING
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDArEs.-Out there in Mary
land, within short mornings ride over the
hills from the city Of Washington, is place
called Silver Spring, the country residence of
Francis P. Blair, purchased from his share of
the rich GLOBE profits Of the government print
ing as the organ Of Gen. Jackson's administra-
ton. But the once terrible chief of police of
Old Hickory has Of late become a sort of prime
minister of the republican party; and Silver
Spring has become q sort OF Mecca to the holy
and hopeful pilgrims of the republican faith.
We are not, therefore, surprised to learn from
Silver Spring correspondent Of one of our
morning contemporaries that Gan agreeable
social and political banquet was given by Fran
els P. Blair at his residence at Silver Spring,
on Friday last "a Christmas caucus), to Hon. N.
p Banks Preston King, Judge Trumbull, Sena-
tor Doolittle of Wisconsin, F. P. Blair, Jr.,
and many other prominent members of the re-
publican party in Congress" Nor are we as
tonshed at the assurances which follow of the
Importance of these "festive meetings. while
the news thus communicated of the "prelimi-
nary movements" of the republican party is de-
cidedly interesting. Read
Important political measures often conceived and ar
ranged at these festive meetings. II was at Silver
Spring. the winter and spring Of 1856 that the nomina
ton OF Col Fremont settled. Parties forming
their plans already for $780, which is but two years dis
The preliminary movements of the republicans are
of most public interest because they are the party which
will succeed in 1866 Col Benton says that the chasm in
the democratic party cannot possibly be closed brdged
and that the republicans only defeat themselves by
gross mistakes The republican candidate for 1860 will be
taken from the circle Of these Mr.. Seward Col
Fremont Gov Banks, Gov Chase, Gov. Bissei Senator
Douglas Gov Walker will propaby be the candidate OF
the barnburners free soil democracy, and President
Buchanan will necessarily be renominated by the adm
nsraon party This latter result will be brought about
by the smothered rivalry Of Messrs Wise aud Hunter
and the struggles for ascendency between Jefferson Davis
and Robert Toombs.
Thus, it appears, there are FIVE prominent
men in the republican ring, and the upshot
may possibly be a split in the party. Mr..
Seward thinks be has waited long enough !;
and while his pipelayers are undermining Ere
mont, his special organs lose no opportunity
for damaging side blow at Governor Banks.
Upon these points, however, we are willing to
await the results of another conference or two
at Silver Spring.
Mr.. Douglas, or Governor Walker, or Mr..
OeaTy, UT MT. heeuer, Ut soHe OtHeT useu up
Governor of Kansas, may, perhaps, become the
candidate of the Northern democracy, unless
Martin Van Buren, should insist upon another
trial with his Buffalo platform; but the idea
that Mr.. Buchanan, in any event, will consent
to be candidate tor a second term is very
absurd. Granted that the great object of his
life from 1924 to 1856 was the Presidency, has
he not achieved it?-and is not that enough
for a man of his age, good sense and discretion
We dare say that from the terrible drudgery of
the White House, of these latter days, he will
retire at the Gloss of his present term perfectly
satisfied that he has had enough of it and that
the Presidency, as Colonel Dick johnson used
to say, is thing not to be sought for, but
rather to be declined.
As for the smothered rivalry" between
Wise and Hunter Teombs and JEFF Davis, Of
the South, its accommodation will depend upon
contingencies; and in regard to these, Mr..
Cobb may possibly turn up as the conservative
Southern candidate against the Southern fire.
eaters and the Northern dirt-eaters of the dis
mantled democracy. We agree with Sir Lucius
O'Trigger, that, on all sides, lit is a very
pretty quarrel as ii stands, and that it would be
a pity to spoil it,"