The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-27

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Important from Washington-State or Par
ties-Ths Outgoing and Incoming Ad-
manifestations
Our accounts from Washington of the prelimlna-
ry movements of the various parties are beginning
to be rather interesting, and TO shadow forth darkly
coming events We would particularly call the
attention Of readers to letter under our Post
cript head of this morning, communicated TO us by
correspondent at Washington, who has the means
of collecting correct information in certain respects
and whose position is unconnected with any parti-
cular influence, SO as to prevent any bias 10 his
opinions or conclusions. In this letter il will be
seen that there is presented an entirely new and
interesting view Of affairs at Washington, in refer
ence TO some Of the distinguished statesmen now
in the field Of action, and giving some insight into
the probable movements of the new adminisra-
ton.
Many of the facts stated by our correspondent in
relation to Mr.. Benton, Mr. Calhoun, Mr.. Polk,
and other matters, are entirely new to and to
readers. We never were apprized before that
any family connection existed between Mr.. Polk
and Mr. Benton, and it be correct that these two
gentlemen have married sisters, and have been
most intimate personal friends in Tennessee for
many years past, it is highly probably that the
illusions OF our correspondent, of paramount in
huence in the new administration, leaning towards
Mr.. Benton and his friends in Congress- may exist
to considerable extent.
On the Texas, slavery, and other questions, there
has been great deal Of speculation, and thus far
it is very difficult TO calculate with any degree OF
accuracy what the issue in Congress, under either
the present or the coming administration, may be.
The specuations Of our correspondent on all these
questions and points may 60 for what they are
worth.
We are very much disposed to believe that the
principal obstacle to the immediate annexation Of
Texas at this session OF Congress, is to be found in
the preliminary questicn.of slavery; and there is
strong probability that this question will yet Gre
ate excitement in this country beyond any thing
that we have seen Tor many years past The feel
ing on the subject has been vastly wdened or ex-
tended in consequence of the indiscreet conduct
and declarations of the ultra party in the South
and in the North. Unfortunately also great deal
of objection has been made to the narrow course
of the argument urged by the present admlnistra-
ton, in its negotiations with Mexico, in reference
to the annexation of Texas. None can have a
higher opinion Of the profound intellect and tower
ing genius of Mr.. Calhoun, the Secretary of State,
than we, but we do think that he has voluntarily
erook cd in his ndance The n
some of the most powerful national arguments
that could have been urged in favor OF the
annexation of Texas, and confined himself too
much to narrow view, bounded geographically
by the Southern States, in which there is not so
much sympathy in the Northern States and through
out the civilized world. There are ample and
sufficient reasons to be found for the annexation of
Texas to this country The peculiar position of
the two countrles-in the commercial relations of
the United States-in the manufacturing system of
the north, and variety of other natural points of
attraction between them. which would have made
the ground of broad and copious argument,
which, employed by such magnificent mind as
that of Mr.. Calhoun, would have been irresistible.
But this line Of argument has not, unfortunately,
been adopted by the present administration, and
hence the mistakes that have been made may af.
feet the ultimate decision of the question, and
bring up passions and principles into the conflict
not yet anticipated.
With respect to the new administration OF Mr..
Polk, it ia utterly impossible yet to speak with any
degree of accuracy to its complexion character,
or personnel. The conflict is still going on between
the two powerful influences in the democratic
party, in the south and in the north-respective-
ly represented, we may say, by Mr.. Calhoun and
Mr. Benton. What the result may be, and what
effect the action Of the House of Representatives
during the remaining portion of the session may
have on the mind Of Mr.. Polk, cannot be guessed
at this moment. The whole thing-the whole
questionable whole subject must be left open, and
decided as events rise up and indicate one thing or
the other.
AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS There is a
good deal of speculation relative to an extra SEES
sion of Congress, on the accession of Mr.. Polk to
the Presidency. Some suppose that if the question
III Il