The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-28
EsrELLrGEyeE W TMg ssns
Affairs In Washington.
WAsHISGroN, Feb. rs, lS4e.
The T}eafy-Mr. Polk.

The I}eafy-Hr. Polk.
The more the provisions of the treaty are con-
sdered, the more singular it Will appear that the
President should be eager for It's ratification
The mode Of it's negotaton-the Influences
brought to bear-the violation OF law--ths DISC
bedlence of orders-the whole circumstances
attending II, are equivocal that the earnest
ness with which the President has cutched al
II must cause universal astonishment. 1t is be-
sides, so directly in'the teeth of all his former
positions, that one is obliged 10 pronounce il u
repetition of the Oregon chicanery and terciver.
sation. The lions roar, which, in his last an
nua message, he was prevailed upon at length
to simulate, has dwindled down into the verlest
penny trumpet squeaking; and bis ample in
demniy forthe pact, aud security for the future"
turns out to consist in the payment of about
seventy five millions of dollars, and the sacrifice
of eight or ten thousand lives, for "A strip of
country which has actually been open to all
comers-nomInally under the dominion of Mex
leo, yet virtually common 10 all nations-and
for which, bsfors drop of blood was spilled,
the President would not, even under the stern
pressure OF impending war, have been willing
to give more than twenty millions of dollars.
But Mr.. Polk declares the next election cannot
be carried unless peace be made; and so he has
consented 10 retrsce his footsteps, when, to be
consistent, he should have gone forward, and to
pay tribute when he should have exacted sub
mission.
Yet such 10 the dc ad Of committing a false
step politically, that very few Senator'S will vote
against the treaty. The number Of those opposed
10 II never exceeded SIX. There never have been
twenty Senators SO much opposed as to vote
against II; but have az yet conveIsed with no
Senator who thinks 1t a good treaty Members
OF both parties say, sit woul9 be madness to
vote a alnst ito do so would kill our psrty;'
and thus, through concern for the party, the
treaty will be ratified. Mr.. CLAW has strongly
advised it's ratification, and Mr.. Polk is using all
his efforts 10 ensure 1t.
Great Britain will make no immediate demon
stration on Lower California, or on any other
portion of Mexico-that would be to defeat this
treaty. How long she will torbear the prosecu-
ton OF her claims, Is another question. And
here again is grave mistake of the President.
Ia making out the case of this country against
Mexico, he has alleged, one OF the chiet causes
of the wsr, the non payment OF the debts due our
citizens. This must have equal force when
urged as a casus beW by Great Britain against
Mexico, and the principle OF territorial indemni-
ty can be insisted upon with equal force. Why,
then, may not Great Britain claim the right of
indemnifying herself, after the manner of the
United States, by the seizure of Mexican terrific
| ry! Mr.. Polk has furnished her with ample ar
| euments. He declares, forsooth, that he will
allow no foreign interference on this co ntinent;
but who will now attach value to his declara-
tons In the man who has run away from all
his positions on the Oregon question and on the
Mexican question, who can have conhdenca!
Who next will expose himself to derlsion by sup
porting. in good faith, the ambiguous carations
OF the President? Alas what chilling disaP'
pontment awaits his credulity.
-"heu QUOTES fdem,
Mutatosque deos d bit, ct aspera
Nigris equora vents
Emrabitur insoens !"
Who now will swear by his broken faith, or
trust himself to the shadowy platform of his de-
luslve policy? Is il Mr.. Cass, whom he betrays?
or Mr.. Sewer, whom he deceived as 10 the ex-
Istence of this treatyl or Mr.. Allen, or Mr.. Han
negan, whose Indignation at the Oregon juggle
has scarcely evaPorated or Mr.. Houston, of
whom he is jealous! or Mr.. Benton, whom he
has Tilted Whom can he again deceive II
he turn to his divided cabinet, he will find
ranked against him, manly intellectual opposl-
ton, and on his side, mindless and subservicnt
msority. Will he turn to the democratic par
| ~, which he has distracted-to tsse young de-
| mocracy, some of whose sentnels he has se--
duced from duty-or to the old, whose leaders
| he has betrayed! Whom then can he now de-
| Jude with protes.ations that no foreign inter-
ference will te permitted on this continent!
| There is, however one comfortable reflection,
which may be INDUCED: that when the time
viii come for asserting this cherished principle,
| Mr. Folks slipperiness will no longer be avail
| able for mischief, and there may be some man
At the head of the government VINO will exhibit
hrmness without buster, and calmness without
timidity. GALviENsIs.