The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-16
LsYssY IsfELLiGEHCE BY THE AIS.
WASHINGTON. Feb II, 1876


The Political Asge eel ofthe Capital
Every thing connected with the political affairs
here at this time, is what printers would call
state OF pr Ii is amusing to those who are only
mere "lookers on in Vienna" to witness the throes
and commissions under which the various cofUies
and cques aboring from the effects Of this state
OF things. Not OF them, from the President
down TO the representative Of the Empire Club, who
is here for the purpose of regulating the balance
wheel OF the machinery OF government, knows the
nature Of the ground upon which he stands All ID
confusion, doubt and perplexity Confidence ap-
pears to be Ingredient among the parties, and
nothing, therefore, can or will be done to advance
the interests of the country, long this loose
and dsorderly state OF affairs continues.
There is a screw loose somewhere, which it is
necessary tighten before the whole fabric Of the
administration fall into pieces. The President is
disposed to do what he can to harmonise the dis
ORDER that prevails all round but 1t seems there are
put few who are willing to aud him in his efforts to
fuln tnis design " cannot be any longer disguised
and It would be dong both the country and the
administration an injury to attempt i-thaf dscord,
jealousy AND IS qs Ss prevail 70 great extent
This may not be seen SO clearly by the President
himself in the discussions that occur in council upoh
leading questions OF public policy, though l have
reason to think they cannot fail even there to attract
his attention; but they are evident to the compre-
henson of those out OF doors, who witness the opo-
rations Of the various political coteies that work in
accordance with the views Of their respective lead
Clique, and the Marcy clique Then there are the
Calhoun clique, the Wright clique, and the Dallas
clique SO that between all these ciiqses, there il
two Of them together for week, for the purpose Of
forwarding the affairs Of government, and of sus-
tanning the administration which they are in honor
bound to support, from being identified, IN some
brought 1t into power In such state of confusion,
it is not possible tor any government to get along
1t ought; and those who know themselves to be the
cause Of it, ought not to retain their posi- tons one
hour if they see that the possession oil them tends
to disorganise and weaken the Executive in carry
ing out the necessary measures OF his adminlstra-
ton.
Upon the question Of notice, called tor by the
joint resolution now before the Senate, and that
which has Just passed the House, the President says
" At the end OF the years notice, should Congress
think 1t proper to make provision tor wing that
tce, we shall have reached a period VIII en- the ma
tona rights in Oregon must either be ab andoned or
firmly maintained. That they cannot be abandoned
without sacrifice Of both national honor and nte-
rest, is too clear to admit OF doubt"
Is it wise therefore, in the face of the foregoing
proposition, which has almost become reality, that
either Congress or the Cabinet should be sunk in
doubt or disorder as to what ought to be done for
the maintenance OF the principles put forth in that
passage Of the message think not and there
fore that man who would be the first to sacrifice
personal VANITY OF Ieen8S AZ inc snIlnc VI Ills cOuu-
trys honor, by leaving voluntarily post which tends
in any manner to produce distrust and dissension,
where unity and good will ought to exist, deserves
the thanks Of his country for his mag nanimity
will moi speak personally of those to whom allude;
it is enough for me il be understood in the quar-
ter for which this is intended
In Congress, too, but particularly in the Senate,
there seems to prevail underground course Of le-
glsaton upon this subject Of notice. The Presidents
friends know no more Of the true condition Of the
question and its probable results than do those OPP
posed to them; nevertheless, the latter observe
studied bat Ill disguised ignorance of what they
know will happen II negotiation fail to settle tho
vene after the notice shall have been given, and the
end of the year. The administration party, fearing
to anticipate hosllties by declaring their belief ia
their possibility under the circumstances, will make
no admission tnat sucn Is likely to occur; thereby
avoiding airy responsibility that mi ght follow from
throwing the country into a state OF excitement
about proxmatc Gauss, or apprehension OF war,
for which their opponents would not tail To take due
advantage in poliuca point Ut view. Between
these two different positions OF the parties, that
which ought be first attended u, with. proper
and necessary defences Of the country, Is now to-
tally neglected, neither party being willing to d1mit
that danger exists. Such Is the present condition.
Of things here. For my part, do not believe that
war will come; yet there are those VINO have good
opportunities Of knowing all about the matter, who
tell you that 1t Is lmmineut and probable. II 50,
then the President is HI ghy culpabe, II he Is aware
OF sufficient for tnlaklng so, In not laying
them before Congress plain and unsophlsticated
and let them know the danger time. IT he is aware
of any. No sort OF back-stalr influence ought to
deter him from doing SO forthw it'll. That influence
worth much, either to its possessor or those
it would operate upon. ARIEL
IL 18l6