The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-09
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, April 7, 1885,
MIR. Webster, on concluding his speech upon the
Ashburton treaty to-day, got upon stilts, and tried
to overstretch some Senators and members of the
House Of Representatives, for calling in question
the policy, or purity Of the motives which led to
its consummation. Like Sergeant Dalgetty, he
took his own cause in hand, and cut all the capers
Of the broad sword exercise, as far as a scolding
tongue could do it, over the heads Of Senators Dix
and Dickinson, and Mr. Charles Ingersoll OF the
other house.
Mr.. Webster is generally Of phlegmatic tenn
permanent; but In his remarks to-day, he showed
that ne possesses portion OF the Hotspur energy of
the most ardent IN that body. Mr.. Webster has
arrived at that time OF lfe when he ought to keep
cool! and not allow his feelings get the better Of
ed as piece of self-gorfcation, for which it has
very llte glory to rest upon tor its support case
IN p0lnt-and strong one, tool will MENTION
Mr.. Webster read letter to himself, from Mr.
Wheaton, our minister at the court OF Prussia, in
which The defeat OF the qunuple treaty is attribute
ed to the success Of the Ashburton treaty This is
an error Of so glaring kind, that should consider
II criminal to the credit OF Gen. Cass if | were
not to notice Il here. The quntupk treaty de-
feated several months before the Ashb.rton treaty
tcas signed, an anachronlsm into which did not
suppose that either Mr.. Webster or Mr. Wheaton
would have suffered themselves to fall Yet such is
The tact, az can be shown by the records Of the
State department. But shall either let Mr.. Web
ster remain where he Is or hand him over to the
merciful disposition of those whom he has assaied
to-day. The latter course is the best
One word more OF Mr.. Benton In his speech
upon the Oregon question, last week, he quoted the
lines upon map, which, he said. was D'Anvie's.
the French geographer, IN proof that England had
some rights in the territory north OF the 49h parallel
This quotation has led 10 some investigation, which
has demonstrated, beyond doubt, that the map
which the Colonel quoted as DAnvle's, was not
his at al, but Bolton's, an Englishman, and pub
llshed several years later with sundry improvements
and additions in favor OF his own country Robert
Greenhow. Librarian Of the State Department, has
proved this concuslvely, and to the salts
ticn of every one. Indeed, Mr. Benton him.
self now admits 1t TO have been 90. Then
l ask in the name Of common sense, why should
Senator OF Mr.. BentOn's standing assert one thing
tor another, which his own speech makes him do
Il 10 clear that a change has come over him since
he euloglzed Senator Dix for the speech which he
made upon the same subject Mr.. Benton then said
that the Senator from New York had anticipated
all that he had to say on the subject and most ably
and eoquently It was done. Now, we know that
Mr.. Dxs speech was one OF the ablest delivered IN
the Senate this session, and showed beyond all
doubt or cavi, from the most authentic records and
historical data, that England had claims to the
territory north Of 49, either by discovery the pro-
visions Of the Noo,ka Sound Conventions; and if
Col Benton concurred in Mr.. DIx's views OF her
pretenslons then, how it now that he assails
that position and tails into the ranks Of those who
are only willing to 90 for 497 To those who are
watching the political movements here, the difficult
ty OF solving this riddle is easy enough.
have been aware, for several months past of a
combination OF antagonistc elements IN the Senate,
whose purpose i Is to crush General Cass. The
truth may as we'll be told now as at any other time.
This has been the main and chief motive Ct every
element OF opposition that has been brought into
play upon this subject tor months past That the
friends of General Cass will run him as candidate
for the Presidency in 18aS, does not admit Of
doubt and SO long as he has taken the popular eide
upon the Oregon dispute with England, the other
candidates tor the Presidency are fearful that will
give him too much strength in the contest, II the
question Of notice should pass, having for its basis
fiity-four forty
i seems generally settled, among the knowing
politicians that Cass and Scott are TO be the oppo-
sing candidates for the presidency nlS8 and hence
the efforts OF the clqMes to cut them down now,
before they have time to worm themselves into ia
vor with the people These intrigues will not, how
ever, avail the parties to them great deal; because,
II IN the first place, no notice be given to England
this session, the question goes to the people, and
all those who have stood out for 81 40 at the head
OF whom stands Gen. Cass. will be supported by
the people during the next contest II, on the othef
compromise on 40, Its advocates will be equally
opposed by the people at the next presidential elec-
tons; to that look upon the attempts OF those men
to kill of Gen. Cass as suicidal and destructive to
their own prospects for the presidency.
To show you how the political guillotine Is set IN
operation here, to decapate presidential aspirants
! will instance case which 10 at once papabe and
funny. The partles-I mean wings and democrats
opposed to Mr.. Folks running again, have set a
trap in which to catch him, as they would mouse.
This trap 10 other than the haybor bill, which has
just passed the House. 1t is known that the Presl
dent has always been an enemy to extravagant APP
preparations for internal improvements; and hence
the trick OF many belonging to both parties IN the
House, who are also constitutionally opposed to
the same policy. going for large appropriations
for creeks and duck ponds in the West. Now.
1t 10 said, il Mr.. Polk be candidate for the
succession he will hardly veto this bill. in that
case he would lose all the Western States, which
are amply provided tor in it, and which want large
share OF the epos. II he do sign the BILL he places
himself in direct conflict with all his former acts on
similar questions. and in either case, he is used
up man. There is, however, one chance Of escape
for him yet, if he have friends enough in the Senate
10 help him out Of his dilemma; mean its defeat
in that body If the Presidents friends In the Sen
ate can defeat the bill there, the task OF choosing
between two alternatives, either OF which would
defeat his chance for denomination, would be
avoided.
n beg leave, therefore, to call his Excellencys at
tenon to this subject IN time, in order 10 him.
self from shipwreck, for there are breakers ahead
on his course. ARIEL