Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-03
An Independent Political Review.
House OF REPS, Jan. 80, 1852.


To the Editor of the American Telegraph:
SIR: Several of our Northern exchanges crafty
the reading public of Washington city 1.-THE seat OF
political operations) with the news of Washing
ton politics. Numerous reports are found flying
over the country which have no foundation il
truth. Having the experience of many years
close observation in this chess-board of Presi-
Dental games, and being alike disgusted with the
ultra partisan hue of every representation, l pur-
pose to give, through your spirited paper-the
" American Telegraph"-my observations, briefly
and correctly, on the politics of the city and
Capitol, as they really are.
There has been much speculation about =" Who
shall be PRESIDENT" Now, it is known to every
man of any observation that what are termed
cligues prevail to an alarming extent in this coun
try. CliQues or party factions or factions Of
party, are also well defined, of ancient origin, and
full of deadly bitterness. Rule or run is the
watchword Of the leaders of every clique or faction
of this republic. Witness Secession, Dissolution.
Freesoilism, Abolitionism, Reorganization of the
Democracy, Unionism, whiggery, and last, though
not least, Federalism. Party lines have become
indistinct, if not obliterated The organs of the
several parties, with cautious and trembling
hands, are trying to draw the lines plain clear
and deep. 1t is hard work. A clique defeated
Casa clique defeated Van Buren-has defeated
Clay-Jackson even. The balance Of poorer is the
great consideration. Hon. John Russell has been
twice endorsed by clique. The existence Of
cligues elevated Louis Napoleon. was in Lon
don on one occasion, and during momentous
ministerial crisis, and at dinner, heard a know-
ing one, high in place, say "hat miserable clique
controlled the kingdom" prominent politician
is reported to have said at late dinner, in regard
to the Presidential question, "hdt he neUer e1-
pecied 10 be President himself, but could prepeu any
other man from being, fhe chose"
Now, take the position "hat any man who
goes into convention, or comes before the peo-
pie as the candidate of clique, is defeated y
the balance of power being in the hands of fac
tons irreconcilable and carrying upon their
shields the motto, al Rule or ruin"
The origin, influence, and preferences of the
different cliques, with their progress, movements,
affiliations, and tendencies, will be daily examined
for " those interested" The greatest danger to
many aspirants is the fact that the progress of
this country leaves quantity of obsolete opinions
and antiquated politicians to be disposed of, with
whom no alliance can be formed, but who, unfor-
tunately, can, by throwing their heary weigM on
the Wheels stop in its career the chariot of the
proudest ambition. The next Presidential con-
test will be the war of old and new opinions
Young and Old Democracy, Federal Whigism and
Reformed Constitutionalism, Freesoil and South
ern Rights, Domestic Peace and Foreign War,
Reform and Extravaganza, Native Americanism
and Foreign Doctrines, Kossuth againt Washing
ton, Higher Law versus the Constitution, &c., &c.
From this mass of grating elements, repre-
sented in each of its component parts by party
organs, the American Telegraph must give q
general synopsis for the intelligent and independ-
ent reader, and show to those belonging to
these several divisions their affairs as others
see them" Through your candid and valuable
journal, therefore, this subject viii be discussed
as matter sufficiently interesting accumulates
JUSIus, JR.