The New York herald., 1845-02-04
New York, Tuesday, February 4, isao.
Political Movements at Washington.

Political Movements at Washington.
We understand by our private correspondence
from Washington, that amid the dust and smoke
0t both Houses Of Congress-under cover OF the
vague generaltes growing out Of the discussion OF
the Texas and Oregon questions-taere is great
deal OF private arrangements going on amongst the
various ciqHes Of both the great political parties
arrangemsn nts Of that character which constitute
the uader-current of politics, all looking and tend
ing to get position for the succession and Presi-
Dental election in 1913.
Amongst the democratic ciigues, this under-cur-
rent has been gradually and steadily flowing Tor
some time past indeed, we may say from the COM
mencement Of the session But II is now begin
ming to show itself more distinctly during the last
few days This is particularly observable from the
columns OF the Richmond Enquirer, whose editor is
generally well Informed as To the private inlrigues
and movements OF his own party in Washington -
II appears that amongst the democratic cliqMs, the
two principal candidates for succession, whose re-
spectve friends are now endeavoring TO put them in
position IN anticipation OF the usual nomination
OF the democratic party, for the election ia 4S-are,
Mr. Calhoun on one side, and Silas Wright on the
other. There is a second cross, or second race OF
candidates, such as General Cass, James Bucha-
nan, Thomas hart Benton, and many others, but
the two principal candidates for the position-forit
is only position yet, are Sllas Wright and John G.
Calhoun, whose friends are busy making and ma
nuuvering in both branches of Congress, and en-
deavoring by their tactics to get the weaihergage
of each other in relation to the political movements
of the day, within the bosom of the democratic
party Both these cliques will endeavor to acquire
an ascendancy over the administration of Mr..
Polk, in order to obtain the vantage ground by
which their friends may obtain and hold office
throughout the country-and thereby prosecute the
movements in favor of their respective candidates
for the succession This combined movement of
each secton for the spoils and for the succession,
will give interest and edge to every thing here
after relative to men and measures connected with
the democracy at Washington and elsewhere.
On the other hand, the whig party, although they
have been very quiet during the weeks, being
almost only lockers on in Vienna, yet their repose
has only been in appearance. They also seek
ing-each clique for its own favorite-a position"
for the election in ls4s. Mr. Webster has been
reelected to the United States Senate, and is now
in Washington. General Scott is in the field OF
action al all times. Mr.. Clay is in retirement, II
IS true but still he has his representatives in the
capitol Others of the whig leaders no doubt have
their friends; but these three that we have named
Scott, Webster, and Cay-may be considered
the principal of the whig party for the success
sion, for we do not believe that Mr. Clay, although
the chances are against him, has given up all his
hopes OF running again. On the other hand, Mr..
Webster, from the various movements which his
friends have made In the east, with the view OF
healing the differences between the abolltoniss
and the wings, is undoubtedly preparing to take
position and strong position, for the contest OF
'4S The friends of General Scott not so open
ly active, but there is spirit breaking out in dis
tant parts of the country-a sort Of popular SPIRIT
similar to that which prepared the way tor the
triumph Of General Harrison-which indicates
preference for General Scott hereafter, and may,
according to the progress OF events, take very
prominent hold upon the public mind In less than
two years.
One peculiar feature of the Whig policy during
the present session, is the extreme moderation
manifested towards the administration OF Mr. Polk
This is feature quite novel in the action of poll
tics at Washington. As far we can remember,
Mr. Webster took a similar position during the adj
rnlnisration of General Jackson, TO whom he man.
ifesed strange signs of friendliness, which we are
inclined to believe contributed in great degree to
give strong impulse to the popularity of the old
hero. IL certain section of the Whig party of the
present day should give the administration of Mr.
Polk fair and honorable support, without the
perties of party or the indulgence Of any of that
out-and-out opposition which has heretofore mark.
ed the Whig party, II might have very
serious effect upon the succession in three
OF four years. Mr.. Polk is pledged not to
be a candidate a second time. With the ciiques Of
his own party struggling to acquire an ascendancy
over his administration, on one side, and large
portion of the wings endeavorng to conciliate him
"a. ~ al M Dali
moderate his party feeling to great extent-giving
us national administration have, in fact the
power of determining who will succeed him. In
all these contests between the two great parties in
this country, We have seen in the case of Mr.. Ty
er how little it takes to decide the matter either
way. We believe that the whole influence of Mr.
Tyler's administration did not amount to much,
but yet it was sufficient to give preponderance to
the democratic party in carrying the election OF
Mr.. Polk. Ii Mr. Polk chooses to use the power
and influence which the presidency deposits in his
hand, he can determine who hissuccessor will be-
whether it will be Calhoun, or Silas Wright, or
General Scott, or any other man that may come up
regularly as the candidate of his party in 1S48.
All these movements, speculatons, and ideas
are now in a state of ebulilion ia Washington,
and will have material effect on the legislation of
Congress- for it may be said that all the Legislation
will be directed towards the grea, point Of the
succession.
TEXAS MEETING THIS AFTERNOON Following
up the movement in Tammany Hall, the Democra-
cy OF the city favor of Texas, have called great
meeting in the Park this afternoon, their fiery
zeal being quite proof against the coldness Of the
weather. This will tend to widen still more the
breach between the two cliques or sections, which
may be called the anti Texas and abolition Clique,
renresented by The Morning Nrnrs and Epening