The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-14
0alvss nsis aud the 0suates
CusropY OF THE SEpGKANT-Ar-AxAs
OF THE SENATE.
w .our~ornN AnviI 10 1R44

WASHiN0TON, HPIli IL, 1910
While an impenetra veil of mystery hides
from the world the details of the star chamber
proceedings instituted in relation to myself,
question will naturally arise in the public mind
as to what possible motive could have moved
the Senate to the act OF oppression they
have pepetrated. This / will endeavor to ex-
plain.
It will be recollected that was the first to ex-
pose the secret designs of Mr. Polk, so to con-
troll the various sections Of the democratic party
as to create political necessity for his renomi-
nation by the Baltimore convention in May next.
To expose this purpose, was to ensure its defeat,
and, at the same time, to weaken the confidence
of Mr.. Folks Cabinet in his integrity; for,
strange as it may appear to many politicians in
Indiana, in Illinois, In Ohio, in Tennessee, in
Arkansas, and in New York, who have been
partially or wholly apprsed of his real views.
within the last two months, as well previous
ly, he has asseverated in the Cabinet in the
most solemn manner, that nothing could
induce him to accept a denomination. But,
unfortunately, for the success of the Presi-
dents schemes, have adduced facts from time
to time, to prove incontestably that while he
was making these solemn reservations In the
Cabinet his friends and agents, with his sanction,
and in accordance with his secret instructions,
were vigorously occupied in making converts to
his reelection, and that those In Office have
ceived private instruction to hold themselves
disengaged to any of the other candidates
also showed his design in raising up one candi.
date after another, to neutralze the strength
OF such as were at any time gaining an awkward
degree of influence. Mr.. Polk was excessively
annoyed by these exposures, as well as at the
general ref .ctions on his conduct in the Herald.
His friends waited on mine, and declared that if
those censures were not stopped, Mr. Polk q in
terest throughout the country, would be thrown
into the scale in the approaching presidential
election against Mr.. Buchanan, with whom
was known to be on terms of warm per-
sonal intimacy. l was demonstrated with by
more than one member of the cabinet, and
told that by persisting, l would materially injure
both my own prospects and those of Mr. Bucha-
nan. Like remonstrances were made by mutual
friends of Mr.. Buchanan and myself-men
whose judgment on mere personal matters |
would at any time adopt in preference to nv
own Those gentlemen doubtless they will all
read this letter. will recollect my answer. said
-"1 write tor an independent journal, and
cannot suffer myself to be deferred by considera-
from telling the truth" Aud did persist, no.
wlthstahding those remonstrauces.
My structures continuing. notwithstanding the
menaces of Mr.. Folks friends, the President
was induced to believe that they were not writ
ten without the cOuntenance and sanction of Mr..
Buchanan. That gentleman, however, had again
and again demonstrated with me-. declaring his
honest belief that Mr.. Polk did not merit my
censures, and although never attempting in the
least degree to control me, for he inca pable Of
such indelicacy, he has, nevertheless, whenever
the subject was mentioned In conversation be-
tween U.S.. declared that he would esteem it a
personal kindness, # not inconsistent with my
sense of propriety, if would refrain from in
Weighing against the President:
OF approaching the noble and delicate sentiments
of Mr. Buchanan, and when the treaty and &C.
companying documents appeared In the Herald,
hoping to elicit something, ejudical to the Sc
cretary OF State, they resolved upon instituting
an investigation and accordingly, on Wednes-
day, the 22d of March, the President sent a mes
cage to the Senate, apPrislng that body that the
treaty with Mexico had appeared in the Ne,r
York Herald, with portion of the documents
and the amendments of the Senate. and that the
editor had promised to publish the remaining
portion In few days, and recommending that
means should be adopted to arrest the publics-
ton OF this remaining portion, as 1t might tend
to prevent the ratification OF the treaty by the
Mexican Government.
Mr.. Polk was never actuated by the motive he
assigns for sending this message. There was
no room Tor apprehension that the publication OF
those papers In the Herald would prevent the
ratification OF the treaty by Mexico. The circum-
under which 1t went back-the condition of the
Mexican government-all concurred in leaving
Mexico no other alternative but ratification
OF the treaty or total extinction. Everybody
knows that the ratification of the treaty is as the
breath OF Its noslrIls to that government, and
that to reject 1t would be to seal the fiat of its
own annlhilatlon: And what are the grounds
upon which the President argues the possible
rejection of the treaty by Mexico! That pre-
cisely year ago this government was will
ling to give for New Mexico and California
few more millions than Mexico now obtains
BY the treaty. So that tn President would count
for absolutely nothing the thousands of lives lost
IN eight battles and by disease since that PERIOD
not to mention the lavish expenditure entailed
by our military and naval oper atoms. do not
charge upon Mr.. Polk such criminal reckless
ness, although II is the consequence of his own
argument. In charity to him, l prefer to be-
heve that under this absurd pretence he intend
ed to conceal his design TO injure the Herald and
to destroy Mr.. Buchanan.
But what proves to demonstration the superb
clallty OF this pretence, is, that as Mr.. Polk
shsws-no man beiter-there is no process in
the power OF the Senate to issue, which can ar
rest the publication OF any document in the pos
session OF an editor. 1t cannot resolve itself in
10 court OF chancery, and Issue an injunction.
Indeed, Its judicial proceedings, so far as know
any thing OF them, are the very reverse OF those
OF court OF equity.
On this message, which was written after Mr..
Polk had advised with his creatures in the Sc
nate, the subsequent proceedings were founded,
and the Senate bindly lent itself TO be the nstru-
mint OF Mr.. Folks petty vengeance on the
Herald, and to give effect to his sordld jealousy
of the NAV who has been the main support of
his administration, and who has lent that ad-
ministration that dignity and character that has
sustained it under the overwhelming weight OF
Mr.. Folks own litleness The history OF these
subsequent proceedings | must leave for
other letter but to place Mr.. Folks connec-
tion with this proceeding beyond doubt, will
mention d circumstance that occurred on
Monday last motion was made on that day
San afa IN In, h.yA
discharged, and the Presidents friends, de-
string to learn his will, before voting, sue
ceeded in postponing immediate action on
the RESOLUTION. The tact that having consulted
with Mr.. Polk on Monday night and Tuesday
morning, they have since steadly opposed my
enlargement, proves that the Presidents ven