The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-10
INTELLIGENCE By THE MAILS.
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our Washington CorresPondenoe,
WASHINGTON, June 7, 1919.

" nShiN"roN, June Y, lo4S.
DIR. Clayton
MIR. Clayton is emphatically the Prime Minister.
and he has many admirable qualities for the posi-
uon. lie does not possess the quick, deep, and
sparkling intellect of Meredith-he has not that
s'em' incorporating, superlativey ultra whig
temperament of Ewing-he has not that Yankee
CHARACTERISTIC OF briskness in business which dis
tinguishes Colamer-he isnot personally, perhaps.
more iavorite with General Taylor than Johnson:
out no man oil the cablnetis we apprehsnd, in any
degree better qualified for the State Department
than the great man of little Delaware.
He has that superior experience in political affairs
without which heablest man. as Secretary of State.
would be tyro. lie is well versed in European
history, and possesses that calm sagaciy of obser-
vation which the exigency requires. He has no
bitter national anmosities to misead his Judgment
he has no particular prejudice to combat in hold
ing to our international neutrality with all nations
he is lover OF peace for the sake of peace, and
strictly conservative in reference to foreign az
well as domestic difficulties. He has partcu lar
partlaiity tor men OF hartrggers on international
CONFERENCE.-THE prefers the field of negotiations
to the held OF battle, and certain peace in prefer
ence even to the hazards of war, if the national
Aonor IN ITS real Interpretation can best be sub
served by peace.
lie Is deslrous of preserving peace with Europe,
as long as consistent with the integrity of the
United States to themselves. His object in tho
foreign appointments has been TO secure steady.
elear-headed men-such men as will not precipi-
tate rupture tor the notorlety II may give. He
Is aversc to all crusades outside the Union for the
Propaggat4Sn, by arms, OF republican ideas, unless
in self-defence and equally opposed to driving to
eXtremities the abotonists of the North or the
shareholders of the South
AS party man he Is decided, but not malicious:
as Poitlclah, ne Is cunning, cautious, and even
timid at times, where bodness would be the judi
cious card.
We believe him to be ambitious. We have
every disposition to suppose that he is at least
much interested In the succession as was Mr..
Buchanan on his introduction into the State De-
partment. We apprehend that his associates to
some extent share in this presumption, and that
General Taylor himself participates in the infe-
with perfect indifference. We believe that Mr..
Clayton Is actuated by the very natural desire for
the success Of General TaylOr's administrator;
but we also suppose that he is vglant against any
OF his colleagues advancing to any admitted su-
periority of position with either General Taylor or
the wing pary-to that position which he is adj
mltted to occupy as wing leader.
We believe him to be anxious to concate Mr..
Clay without losing the support OF MIR. Crttenden,
and desrous OF sottenlng MIR. Calhoun without pro-
yoking Col. Benton. In short, the policy Of Mr.
Clayton, as a diplomatist, statesman, and a
politician, IS cancellation; If, therefore, he has
more OF the holiness which commands the respect
OF enemies, he has none Of that prosecuting spirit
which provokes their revenge.
Inc WOriu is DuSy. Actlon-aCtlOn Is tnc WORD.
Mr.. Clayton IS not man of action, according to
the meaning of the term as now applied. He IL
not the man, we apprehend, to seize great move
ment in Its inception, and to push it through. He
is for doing the work that is to be done, and no
more, and no less. But when revolutions and old
systems are in state of fusion, is easy to admit
that his policy is the safest and best.
At such time as this, with such man as Clay
ton at the head of the State Department, the coun-
try feels at least sense of security if not of pro-
gression; and a conviction that, if we not adj
vancng, we are not receding in the great ideas OF
the age.
What may be the desires or the prospects of Mr..
Clayton, for 1852, we shall yet have time enough
to consider. We satisfied that the country
will feel secure from war, if he prevent 1t, and
that no experiment will be tried likely to lead to
difficulties, with his consent. Without being n
bold statesman, he is prudent and decided; and if
not brilliant or dashng, he Is at least sagaclous
and vigilant.
If he should resign it will be that the duties of
the office heavy, and may safely be entrusted to
other hands, and not from any disposition to relin-
quish his support of the administration