New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-08
What Does IA NIeant

The relations at present existing between Mr
Polk and the Loco Foco party we believe are with
out parallel the political history Of this country
On two measures regarded by him as Of the high
est Importance 10 the country in its present oondi
ton he has been defeated by his party Congress,
in manner so unccremonious as at first sight
would seem 10 Indicate a lack Of confidence in his
ability and judgment If not in his integrity. The
proposition 10 levy duties on Tea and Coffee was
made the score Of necessity the only means like
~ 20 afford relief 10 treasury exhausted by the
enormous expenditures Of war. The Secretary Of
the Treasury, who must be regarded IA the agent
., the President in this matter presented an alter
native well calculated. one would suppose, 10 tx
cite the compassion aud sympathy Of his political
friends, and yet with prompttude amounting
almost to rudeness they cast the proposition aside
as if 1t were scarcely worthy Of a moments atten-
ton
The proposition 10 appoint Lieut. General with
extraordinary powers in respect 10 the War with
Mexico though not urged as absolutely indispensa.s
bile to the success Of our arms, was yet favorite
measure Of the Executive but although presented
to Congress under the endorsement Of some OF the
most influential men of the party, 1t was shufied
aside with degree Of haste that seemed almost
insulting to Mr. Polk. True the vote on this ques
tion was afterward reconsdered by a bare majority
bu, from all the circumstances we are led to con
olude that this was not the result Of any change Of
opinion on the part Of the House as TO the measure
itself bat is to be regarded only Indicating dis
position 20 make the form of its rejection less OBJ
noxious to the Executive.
These proceedings so unusual in their character,
and so important in their bearings have taken the
whole country by surprise. What do they
meant is the question in every bodys mouth
They stand forth in such marked and palpable
trast with all the previous conduct o; the present
dominant party in respect to the manifestations Of
Executive will, that no one seems prepared to as
sign a reason for the unexpected and unheard of
phenomena. Even conjecture is at fault and the
letter writers, usually so prompt to lay bare the Sc
cret springs OF political movements are dumb with
establishment.
Now we certainly shall not lay claim to any ex
raordinary sagsci,y pretend to see farther into
this milestone than our neighbors but we venture
To guess that the movements which have excited
much surprise are TO be explained by the fact
that the Loco Focos Of the North and West have
come to the determination no longer to submit 20
Southern dctation They mean to block the Elk
ecutve wheels until the Shareholders consent to an
act excluding Slavery forever from the territory con
quercd from Mexico The South heretofore has
played deep game. Oregon was coupled with
Texas as a means OF securing Northern and West
ern votes for Annexation but when the object had
been secured the zeal for the whole of Oregon
was suddenly cooled The Western LOcOs mean
to keep the staff in their hands this time, and
give the South iavors until she has consented to
abandon her scheme for the farther extension Of
Slavery. We may he mistaken in this. but wait
and see