The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-14

locality, II an orthodox man on the Finance
| Committee, aud will consider IL HE duty to 20
for all the loans, treasury notes, tea and coffee
and extraordinary appropriations, that the adj
The Military Committee ,as understood to have
been agreed upon in the democratic caucus, has
a most warlike complexion. As we intimated
some time ago In our letters to the Herald, Mr.
Benton is not retained at the head OF this COM
mittee; but Gen. Cass, as we expected, takes
his place. The caucus arrangement is, Messrs
Cass Benton, Jefferson DAVIS, and Dix, leaving
one vacancy to be filled by the wings, which,
by Mr.. Crittenden, so long and usefully engaged
upon that committee.
The majority OF this committee are nominated
upon the basis of the Presidents message; that
is to say, for the vigorous prosecution of the
war 10 the conquerng peace. Mr.. Benton,
there is strong reason to suspect, Is unsafe upon
this subject. He did his duty admirably at The
last session but whether II Is this Fremont
court martial, or growing distrust of the policy
pursued in the Mexican war, or the defeat OF
the Lieutenant General, or the question OF the
next Presidency, and strong Inclination
barnburners "and fellow-traitors," we cannot
as yet determine. We suppose that all these
reasons are blended among the causes for the
placing of Gen. Cass over Col. Benton IN the
committee. of course, this change was made
at the desire Of Col. Benton; but we believe
that the reasons indicated are among those sug-
gesting the request. Something, we suppose, IN
regard Of the course OF the War Department IN
getting up the charges and specifications against
Fremont --something, it is probable, dubious Of
the policy OF being the Lieut.. General, even IN
the Senate, has induced Col. Benton TO yield up
the chair of his old Committee on Military
Affairs to the discretion OF the democratic
caucus. II may be, too, that the age OF Col
Benton recommends to him the necessity OF
lessening his active committee duties III the
Senate but that excuse would hardiy pc aVaila-
Bile, because he has more OF physical energy,
of han ri
endurance to laborious drudgery, tnah ueh'
Cass, or perhaps any other man IN the Senate.
Col. Benton will, however, be. more at liberty
to participate in the general discussions; but,
more than all, he will have the liberty OF u
wider range and Il frecr scope on the ques-
ton of this Mexican war. AS the head
of the committee, dutiful obedience would
be expected but the second on the COM
mittee, he may be either useful with his coua-
sells or troublesome with his opposition and we
suspect the committee will have a little OF the
exercise of both qualities.
Just look at the thing. Mr.. Benton and Mr..
Dix are the most marked advocates of the barn
burners in the Senate. Mr.. Allen ls a disciple
OF the great Mlssourian, but he Is falling behind,
or rather going IN advance, upon the orthodox
tack But Mr.. Benton has by no means relln-
pushed the idea of the restoration of the Bour,,
bons. He sees that the ADMINISTRATION Is opposed
to this restoration-that the whole cabinet are
against him, Mr.. Marcy particularly. He would,
therefore, be giving " aid and comfort 10 the
enemy" by taxing upon himself the labour, the
functions of quiet obedience TO the wishes OF the
administration, and would thus contribute TO
place the hopes of Mr.. Van Buren, Co. farther
out of reach than ever for every body believes,
except Col Benton, those hopes are even now
entirely out Of sight.
But we shall see what we shall see. The
administration have the command OF the Senate
committees the Calhoun men and the wings
have no say IN the matter. But we expect to see
some curious developments IN the progress OF
the session ; and We expect some markable
speeches from Col. Benton on This Mexican war,
and incidentally on this Fremont court martial,
with proposition, most likely, to establish an
entirely new system OF courts martial.
Col b. has not yet reported himself to the
Senate, being daily in attendance at the Court /;
but as the trial will be probably ended next
week, we expect, in due season, 10 find him IN
his old seat, alongside OF Senator Allen.