New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-06
BY THE MIDNIGHT SOTTHERN NAIL
THINGS IN WASHINGTON.
A., Old Farce with New Charaeferr, or rather
with some New Chnracters-Denth oil VIZ

F.HF
then ably edited by the same gentleman who AZ
Nh. present time controls the columns Of the Union
in long article under the caption OF the Next
Presidency" gave expression 10 the following
views in re lation 70 Gen. JAcEsoS a. candidate
for reelection We presume We must al agree
in the course which Gen. J. should taAe-aot 10
offer himself as q candidate not TO mix IN the can
vsss-but to do his duty as Chief Executive Magis-
,rste and 10 keep himself perfectly aoof from the
,,r,fggle Of the election. His wishes and bis
course NAV be comprised almost in single sen.
tsrca. | wish 70 retire ! wish the term OF Pres
dental service could be reduced 70 single term
hut as LEFT nv retirement al the cal OF the peo-
ME if they wish me TO serve them again must
sscri6ce nv vishes-snd will serve them 70 the
best Of my power. Their will is mine But zen.
I,cKsoy can scarcely be too fastidious even IN
speaking upon this subject
Gen. JAcEsOs never will become " candidate
10 the technical sense Of that word Thus spoke
the Richmond Enquirer, and thus did i vaicinate
in re,ard 70 the greatest man that ever lived IN
the tide Of times By no seifseeAing. but rather
against his emphatic wishes Gen. Jackson be.
came President a second time. The late Editor
Of the Enqmrer IL now nearer Mr. Polk than he
then was 10 Gen JACKsOS-certainly in position
probably in counsel Equslly able. perhaps,
though apparently less willing, to predict the
con-se Of The present incumbent Of the Presidential
chair in relation to a denomination. mat gentle
mans oft repeated protestations that ne neither
wished nor would consent TO second canvass
should not be harshy Interpreted against him
Zen. WASHINGTON and Gen. JACKSON both ire
ooentiy expressed determination to retire after
the completion of their first term, and both suffered
reelection Col Polk may profit b. their ex'
ample
Did not the Uqi0H promise us short time ago
a declaration Of 10 views with respect u the
Democratic nomineel Has 1t gone Toto another
sentiment since
-- Was the hope drunk
Wh1eiu 10 dressed itseif-'
WHY not say now" Col Polk never will become
a candidate in the technical sense Of that wora.
We might thea infer. &c vas Inferred Of another
military candidate from 4 previous declaration OF
the ssme editor, he would become 50 III another
sense.
However. the Uaio4 knows lis own roe best.
Before the games soot n will not let slip. IL
takes its cue rightly. Mr. POLK has great conf
dence ia silence That with him Is o. the cardinal
virtues The true use Of speech - To conceal
thought or like the Delphic oracle 10 De capaoie
of double interpre alton.
Il may be said Of him bat with no disrespectoi
intention that he sthe cuttie-.b among politicians
and conceals bis motions By darkness oil his own
creation.
he does not offer himself as a candidate for re-
election. Gen JACKSON did not but with him, as
with the General the Will OF the people Is supreme
Law.
To those who observe, the position of the Demo
cratic party will appear now as u did IN ls'O-
Then as now there were rival and potent aspiranis
Tor the Presidency in the Democratic ranks net
Their OF whom would give way to the other -
whose mutual friends arrsyed IN hostile oppo-
.itop and carried on an emblttered contest against
esch other The feud finally became so warm and
80 irreconcila0e. that it was deemed expedient
and necessary for Gen JACKSON 10 step IN and save
the integrity OF the party
How il it now In all probability three leading
candidates will be presented for the sursges oi
the Convention at Baltimore-BucHASAS, CAss
and WooDBURY-nether fficently strong 10 pre-
ponderate over the combined vote Of the other two
They cannot, hey would, form trumvirate and
divide the world between them. CGs0r ant Huiius
must be the resolve Of each the command OF the
party or irretrievabe defeat the fate Of each.
IL will he a combat F0ufrdRce for even were
the leaders disposed 10 compromise the followers
will object 10 any arrangement by which the claims
of either to the prejudice OF the other twO shall be
preferred because the two disappointed factions
would feel that the successful candidate must neces
sarily provide first for his original psrtzans eaV-
iug them nothing but lees
An this Mr. Polk understands aud agitatesi not
openly for such is not bis nature, but In the re-
cesses Of bis own heart. For this the Lnson guards
.saons rNte~.~s ~ Oi
party. The proceedings of any public meeting in
favor of either of the prominent aspirants OF the
party are transcribed il is true but without sppro-
baton and generally without comment always
with the most liberal impartiality. And So scru-
puousy careful not to say aught in appreciation or
even in recognition of the pretensions OF any par
ticuar candidate OF them all is the Editor OF that
paper that it is impossible for any one to divine
what is his private preierence-or II he have any.
Among the many reasons that urge themselves
upon the mind % favor the belief OF Mr. Polk re-
nomination there is one OF strong and somewhat
fearful significance 1t is the fact which can
neither be disguised nor repealed, that no neon
siderable portion Of the Convention, whether as
regards number or influence, will be composed OF
his own subordinates-of persons dependent upon
his will for their means Of livelihood. II gratitude
for past yors cannot bind them TO his cause, nor
the hope Of fnture-yet the fear OF losing the pre-
sent assurcdly must And what motive can urge
them TO bs iaithless to one from whom they have
already what they can only hope from others y
But Col Polk like Gen. jackson, can scarcely
be too ias,dious even in speaking upon this sub
ject" He will bde bis time and not make de-
monstra,ion till he can make IL conclusive.
IL will probably be in my power within short
time 10 adduce some facts which will Justify more
than a suspicion that Mr. Polk assuredly has as IN
doubted right any man in the whole country 10
aspire 20 the Presidency. IL only behooyes the peo
ted to him in trust for their benefit in the promo
ton fhis own selfish views and narrow purposes.
The decease Of Mr.. BLACK caused the adjourn
ment of the two Houses early after their meeting
The eulogy OF the deceased was pronounced IN aP-
proprate language and becoming nsnnerb BY Judge
BUTLER il the Senate and Mr. SINS in the House
They spoke highly Of his virtues and accomplish
ments Tor which. perhaps, he was not merely In
debted to partial Friendship lamentins and nat
uraly exaggerating It's loss
The general estimate OF his character Is good
Although a strong partisan, political opponents
never charged him with aught derogatory to the
character Of the man or the politician. II he was
not distinguished for eminent abilities, he always
exhibited sufficient capacity Tor the proper dis
charge OF the duties OF any Office TO which he bad
been called
Tomorrow the two Houses attend the funeral
ceremonies.
Things in Philadelphia.