The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-18
AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.


WASHINGTON, March IA, 1851.
Father Rttchte and the Uat0w-A New Political
MoUement-Mr. Webster's Curious Letter to Mr..
HaUe~s-Ihe Dubious Posttion of the Nattonal
madagascar.
IL Is now a matter Of fact, that Father Richie
has sold out the Un,om. The price, we under
stand, 10 S2 00O Ell Padre retaining possession OF
the buildings. The mere sale of the establishment
is matter of small concern; but who are the pur-
chasers, and what is to be the future drift of the
organ, are rather important questions. The pur-
chasers are Major Donelson and Gen. Armstrong,
both of Tennessee. both Of the old Jackson, Van
Buren, school Of democrats, and both believed to
be on friendly footing with the Blairs and Ben
tons, and that sort OF politicians.
We regard this movement as an overture to the
barnburners, who still consider themselves the
legitimate descendants of Old Hickory; and the
Cass division as a spurious branch of the family
At all events there is no point OF view In which we
can regard this change as an improvement in the
fortunes OF Gen Cass. Indeed, the evident partali-
ty of Mr. Richie for the Genera may have had
something TO do with the selling out. Father
Richie is Gin The sere and yellow leaf'--he has
made enemies OF the ultras in both sections, and
among the conservatives OF the party, his course
has created jealOusies and anim0sities on account
Of his remarkable attachment to Cass and FOote.
This sort OF thing looked very much like debating
the candidates for 1852 For himself, ia every
view, The selling out is wise proceeding on the
part of Father Richie
At the same time, we hear that a movement is
soon TO be made among the democrats Of the South
in behalf of Gen. William 0. Butler, of Kentucky,
for the Presidency. He was the democratic can
didate for Vice President in lS4S, and is popular
man in the South, which is the most important
section to the democrats. II will be the duty OF
the new OrgNn, however, to steer clear of all
favorites, and wait obedently the selection of the
Baltimore convention. But, for all that, the
transfer OF the Union, has not advanced the pros
poets of Gen. Cdss.
The curious letter of Mr. Webster to Mr. Ha-
vens, of Boston, has given rise here TO an extra
Interpretation. 1t is inferred that Mr. Webster
intended fling at Mr. Clay, in speaking of the
overbearing disposition in "certain quarter
that Mr.. Webster was after the State Dep lrtment,
on the condition that he should get some extra al
Iowances. But if the friends OF Mr.. Webster gave
his letter this interpretation, and raised him the
money, what right have his enemies TO complain,
who construe the letter the same way, and yet
advance no money at all.
five are not mistaken, we smell a rat. The
Republic is evidently the administration organ, and
the National Tsteigenter is evidently losing caste
Why is this! Does the Inteiigsncsr prefer Gen
Scott Mr.. Webster for 1852, while the Republic
is manfully putting forward Mr. Fillmore as the
man Of all men for the succession. Verify, we
suspect there is something in 1t.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1851
The Political Gossip of the Day-Late Arrivals.
Mr.. Webster's letter to Mr.. Havens, it is feared,
will result in another blow up between HIM and
Mr.. Clay. They have fallen out several times
heretofore; but they have often made it up. The
worst part of the business is, that the forgiveness
has always had to come from Mr.. Clay. But, if
he pardons Mr. Webster in this instance, it will be
the conditional absoaon of having nothing further
to do with him hereafter; provided always, that 1t
is denied that Mr.. Clay Is the overbearing" per-
sonsge referred to by Mr.. Webster, as likely to
stand in the way of Mr.. Fillmore's administration.
IfMr. Webster denies it, of course, there an end
Of the matter; and the tente corddle continues.
But 1t may be that this very letter Of Mr. Websers
will disturb the harmony of the wing party greatly
10 his disadvantage. We are afraid that some
trouble to someb body will come out of il.
Major Donelssn announces in the Union that he
is gong TO take hold OF the paper; and Father
Richie follows up with warning, that he ID
going 10 leave the concern on the 18th OF April. -
Various are the sreculati0ns concerning the poi.i-
cal results of this transfer Some suppose that it is
a movement in favor Of William o. Butler, of Ken
old Blair. Benton, Van buren,, and sias Wright
faction to the head of the party but il Is pretty
generally agreed that the change can be OF no par
ficular benefit to General Cass. The general is
no. the man 10 conciliae the extremes OF the party
North end South. II is q fact that the Southern
ultras regard him as utterly impractcable while
the opinion of the Landowners is not a copper the
more favorable. We suppose 1t is the object OF
Major DoneIson and General Armstrong to recon-
cile and reunite the various fragments f the party;
and we condole with them on the task they have
undertaken.
Among the late arrI walls at the National Hotel
are Mrs. James G.. Bennett, sister, and brother,
from New York. We understand they leave to.
day, on their return 10 the North. Their visit has
been brief; but the city is pretty well deserted.
the detention Of two or three days, to residents OF
New York