The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-02

I their complete possession of power grew out of
the peculiar accident Of the times. which separated
large portion OF the abelltionlss from the whig
party OF the North, and gave Mr.. Polk the presl-
dency by accident. The democrats have a large
majority in the two Houses, but are divided into a
great many ciiqufs, each looking to It's own inte-
rest Mr. Polk, from his official position, ought to
be looked upon as the candidate, again, OF the de-
mocratic party; yet he IS strenuous, and has re-
fused have any thing TO do with the question,
give his 10 any arrangement looking TO such
a result. Circumstances may compel him TO give
that consent, circumstances compelled him TO be
a candidate before but at present his steady refusal
leaves the other democratic cques scramble for the
elements OF popularity, IN order 10 prepare them
selves for nomination in ls4S In this grand scram
bic are, General Cass, Mr. Calhoun, Mr.. Benton
Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Dallas. Silas Wright, Mr..
Walker, and even Mr.. Van Buren,, who still looks
for restoration, with those lingering feelings Of
hope with which the elder branch Of the Bourbons
looks tor the crown OF France. Among the
democrats In both Houses, as tar a. the Pre-
sldency Is concerned, there is no union, no
cohesion, no general principle of action. The scene
presents a complete scramble for popularity, and
hence the singular exhibitions of contrary views in
reference to our foreign policy, which have been
exhibited already during the session: General
Cass maybe considered 10 be the head of the Demo-
cratic party In Congress, of the extreme side OF the
house. He has elements OF strength and character
which may be available hereafter. He may be
available oa account Of his having been candidate
In opposition to Van Buren, and no one tell what
his luck may be second lime. Mr. Dallas is not
idle: Mr. Buchanan is equally busy, SO is Mr..
Walker, and 30 are all the leading men, each endea-
vorng to form separate clique, and commence a
movement tending, In some way, to acquire power,
control events.
All these distinguished men, with the exception
OF John T. Calhoun, are advocates OF the principle of
regular nominations, as they facetiousy call it, and
will be bound by the nomination of the Baltimore
Convention, in l8iS whatever that may be but if
there be no unanlmlty in that Convention, they may
probably call upon Mr.. Polk to run as candidate a
second Tune, and such an issue Is probable.
MT Calhoun, without being hostile to the wings
or to the democrats without being unfriendy to the
present administration It's coming into power as
he was to that Of Gen Jackson, will maintain an att
tude OF perfect independence, armed neutrality in
Congress, which may eventually give him control
over the next presidency that may astonish men that
know nothing OF CLAIMS and chowder. Mr.. Cal
houn has force In the Senate OF or eight votes,
and In the House OF thirty or forty, il not more.
These men are not unfriendly to the administration
OF Mr. Polk, but they are determined to pursue
course with respect to the foreign and domestic policy
OF the country, and to stand in such way between
the two great parties, as not only TO have control
over the final vote OF the present Congress- but also
a control over the next presidency On the truth
and importance of these great facts you ,nay place
entire confidence Mr.. Calhoun and his democratic
but they are independent. They will never submit
the claims OF Mr.. Calhoun to any Convention, and
! have the best reasons for believing that they
have determined to organize all their forces, COM
mence operations, and form an independent demo-
cratic party OF their own, with the resolution of sup
porting MIR. Calhoun, whether he is nominated by
the Convention at Baltimore or not.
Ihese positions both In Congress and in the cOun-
try, therefore, give Mr.. Calhoun and his friends
control over legislation well as over future events
MS is tne explanation OF his during the time
that he has been in Congress, on the Oregon and
oher questions. AT the beginning of the session,
Gen Cass, believing himself to be the head of the
democratic party, commenced operations on the
public pulse respecting the Oregon controversy be-
hevlng that to be the most important movement to
make SO as to control the masses. The force and
momentum with which Gen. Cass began, alarmed
the wings, and compelled them to unite on what
was thought the war measures, on Gen. Cass's mo
hon. The war sentiments from that minute seemed
70 prveall ln'both the democratic and wing ranks.
soon AFTER Mr.. Adams came out In the House, and
mr.. Mangum IN the Senate, and contested, with the
democrats the right to appropriate all the war thun-
der to themselves. MI, Giddlngs united in this
movement, partly out of sheer hostility to South
Carolina and Mr.. Calhoun During this state of
things, Mr. Calhoun returned to the Senate, having
previously resolved to position OF indepen-
dence, which we have already described He there
tore came out on the Oregon question in direct OPP
position to General Cass. With the assistance Of
the wings, who are very glad to rally under dis
tlngulshed democrat, and by these means, without
they pursued their own policy, themselves from
any improper commttal, they have given strength
TO Mr.. Calhoun, which enables him to turn round on
the administration, and cause it to take modified
direction. This has been the recent mott on
OF flanagan, and others.
Mr.. Calhoun has placed himself in most lmpor-
tant position He is at the head Of the Girondlsts
he holds the key OF action In both houses of Con-
gress, and managing IN this way between the two
the administration Yet Mr.. Calhouns party is a
mere fragment in the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatlves; but this fragment is composed Of men
OF eloquence, OF character and Of education, whs
VIII have power over the two parties well as the
Executive; as much as mind, intelligent, educated
mind, has power over inert matter, or the inanimate
creation.
From the prospect that presents ITSELF and the
uments OF the different parties, it will be that
some singular result will take place during the pre-
sent Congress. am decidedly of opinion that Con.
gress, IN consequence of the position OF Mr.. Calhoun
and MS friends, will not pass any measure relative
10 Oregon-not even the motion for giving absolute
notice to qut-for IT such notice were TO pass, it
would be conditional, and left to the discretion Of
the Executive. The Oregon question will be left
,or q1tner negotiation and the probability Is that
Mr. Folk can finish the business, in connection with
commercial legislation, before six months But if
Mr. Polk chooses, he can keep this Oregon question
open Tor future operations-hs position enables him
to do So but not without some hazard to the peace
Of the country hereafter But it is thought that Mr.
Polk Is an honest man, and his action will not be
taken In reference to the elections in this country
but will have bearing on what he believes to be
the general good OF the republic, in her foreign and
domestic policy, without any connection with party
On the subject OF the tariff, you will see another
singular division OF parties in the two houses BY
inc au OF tne independent democrats, as the friends
OF Calhoun are called, the wings have been endea.
voring TO check the war movements of General
Cass. The position OF the independents on his
measures, has been apparently in accordance with
the policy of Mr.. Polk. On the other hand, the
INDEPENDENTS may be supported by the democratic
party in the two houses on the tariff, and will defeat
the wings, who are pledged to the present tariff.
What the majority against the present tariff will be-
can't tell--but should not be at all surprised il a
large majority was recorded in favor Of the modi-
hcatlon OF the tariff of 1870 IN the nlan nyonoaed
by Mr.. Walker; nor should | be surprised, If there
were none In respect to the sub-treasury there is
very nearly the same arrangement OF partss in
Congress. Mr. Calhoun and his independents will
JON with the main body OF the democrats, and will
probably pass their fiscal measures in spite of all the
opposition of the wings. Yet the quarrels among
the democratic ciiques may prevent this result
These are the most accurate views which | can
ascertain, alter mixing freely with all parties. On
the Oregon business, the tariff and the sub treasu.
~. believe have stated exerxthi mo- that I have