The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-07
The treaty aud MIR. Polk


The treaty and MIR. Polk.
The latest accounts from Mexico, and every
newspaper throughout the country, are still
breathing rumors relative to the new treaty with
that country; aud some of them are expecting as
almost a certainty, that the document will be
before the Senate, and agreed to, in few weeks.
The more we reflect on this matter the more
we are given to doubt as to the real probability
of any peace with Mexico. other than that which
now exists by the occupation of that country by
the American army. One of the members of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, in the House
of Representatives, has, indeed, called on the
Secretary of State, and received decided state
ment from that functionary that there was q
treaty of peace in certain state of negotiation
in Mexico, but that nothing of the kind had been
received at Washington; the only information
on the matter having been received by the Secre-
tary, through private and undi plomatic chan
nell
We also learn from another quarter, that
the movements Of Mr.. Trst have gwen great
dissatisfaction to Mr.. Polk, and that the Presi-
dent is in a towering passion with his discarded
negotlator.
Under the supposltion that treaty of peace
has been negotiated, on the terms of the instruc-
tons given to Mr.. Trist, and that it may ar
rive in Washington from Mexico in the next
few weeks, it may still be very important mat
ter of doubt whether the President would send
II to the Senate, or what he would do with it,
Mr.. Polk, the more he is examined as a staies-
man and politician the more remarkable and
careful of his own prospects he appears to be.
His career has indeed been wonderful one-no
one admitting him to possess talent, but all con-
tributng to place him in the highest position
that any man can reach in this country. Acct
dent may have had something to do with it, but
accident must be combined with some talent
some wisdom, some genius, some spirit, and
some intrigue before it can be successful IN all
its movements, as 1t has been in the career of
Mr. Polk. 1t Is very well known that Mr.. Trist's
mission was settled and agreed upon before the
concurrence of the Secretary of State was asked.
Some people suppose that Mr.. Polk insults q
few private friends about him in Washington,
and that he has a special and private cabinet of
his own" kitchen cabinet''-whlch guides
hi conduct and settles his convictions. We begin
to think il is very doubtful whether Mr.. Polk has
any cabinet otherthan that which God and nature
have given him We are very much disposed to
think that he keeps his own counses, and takes
his advice from no one but himself, unless it is
single individual. He possesses much self-de-
NAL, great humility of character, open counte-
nance and disposition; but under these profess
sions the result of his conduct points to intense
ambition Of all kinds
With these views of the peculiar character Of
Mr.. Polk, we are very much disposed to think
that no treaty that has been negotiated by Mr.
Trist or General Scott, when it shall have been
received at Washington, will be sent to the Sc
nate for confirmation, until after the decision Of
the democratic national convention for nominating
a candidate for The nert Presidency shall haze met
IN May merit
withstanding the numerous candidates pre-.
scented by the democratic party from different
parts of the country, there can be no doubt that
Mr.. Polk, for the good of his country, would ac-
cept another nomination and there can be little
doubt that he is shaping his measures and his
plans in such way as TO bring about that result
If, under any circumstances, or under any COM
bination OF influences in the Baltimore conven-
ton, any other man than Mr.. Polk should be Sc
lected, then it is probable that Mr.. Polk would
send in such treaty at once, II he had
IL in his hands, and endeavor to settle the
question of peace with Mexico, before the cleo
ton in November next One OF the principal
and most important issues on which the demo-
cratic party could GO into the election, is I'M
doubtedy that of holding on to Mexico, and pre-
senting to the public the acquisition of the whole
OF that extensive and beautiful country. II Mr..
Polk were TO be forced into treaty with Mexi-
co, and compelled 10 call back our armies to the
Rio Grande then the Presidential question
would be decided on othe issues, and those issues
would be more adverse TO the party in power.
lssdes arising from the expenditures of the war,
abandonment Of the conquest, and the retreat
back TO the Rio Grande, would all present such
combination Of foolish measures and unwise re-
suits, that il would be one of the principal wed
pons against the democratic party, and might,
without difficulty, give the next presidency to the
wing nominee, whoever he might be. On the
other hand, II the question ofpeace with Mexico
De s'ill JET, open 80 slso will the question Of the
annexation Of tAc whole Of that country be lqft
npen and IN dis way, th' aemccrsae candidate