The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-24

direct route on MEXICO.
fro EE CONTINUED
Very Correct View OF Politics and Parties.
Correspondence Of the Charlestown Is. % Mercury.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Is.
This city has felt the retiring ebb Of the political
that have been dashng SO wildly for the last
nine months, but it is the best central point of OBJ
servatlOn from whence to survey the whole field
While the members of Congress are either confer
ring with their constituents stumpng it abroad,
large lions and small Ones the quiet observer here
can watch the working of the wires, and judge Of
the turns the contest takes. Ofcourse the Presden
tial canvass now swallows up everything else, but
the under currents are no less deep and strong,
pe,ial]y that Of abolition.
In dispite of the strenuous efforts of the papers
and the stump speakers, to get up an excitemenG, it
is very evident that this campaign has been the cold
est for many years. The masses either do not take
a warm interest in the struggle going on, or they
take very rational view of the duties of free cit
zens There is little 'fuss." and 'feathers" are ut
discount The drum and trumpet efforts have
proved fiat failures and the organs only seem TO
take an interest in the charges trumped up against
the candidates respectively. The candidates for
the Vice Presidency are scarcely mentioned at all,
and those for the Presidency, though receiving the
full quota of personal abuse from over jealous part
sans are little affected by it in popular estimation
1t may not be aIniss, however, TO take rapid sur-
vey OF the state of the canvass. And firstly, as 10
the proceedings here. The committees of the two
parties, at the head Of Of which is Truman
Smith and of the other Mr.. Penn, of La in the 40
sence Of DR.. Gwin, are working away in the distri-
button of documents. The wings are acting in this
respect effectively than their opponents, having
apparently greater command OF funds They are
distributing t|o sets Of Documents one INTENDED tor
northern the other for southern circulation,
trasting curiously ahen compared. The democrats
are not doing the business so Thoroughly. The orsans
are in full blast.
The Thin which now claims the exclusive o..
canship of me party, has oh5sined Infusion Of
new blood, in the person OF Mr. Pryor OF the Shta.
SIDE (Na) DeM0cfGt. quite young man. but OF
very decided ability vigorous and graceful wri.
ter He has taken the place Of Mr. Eames, Who
was imported by Major Donoson and who has fl.
lowed in hi footsteps, and ioaily out Of the Oil o.
lie has gone back to Connecticut, where he belongs
Mr. Preston, Of Va, is the other editor He is also
young man. and n man Of ability He Is living
illustration Of the usual fate Of editorial effort, hay
ing been the working editor Of the paper siuce Mr..
Ritche's time. Others have traded on his capital,
and obtained he credit which he entitled to;
for he is probably unknown to the mass OF those
who have been reading his editorials for years.
Gen, Armstrong does not write but retains the
control and direction of the paper, possessing an
unlimited veto the editorials prepared. He is
the sole proprietor, and must realize large fortune
out of the fat job which Congress has so literally
assigned him. The present efficiency and conduct
of the paper you and your readers can judge Tor
yourselves. The opposition press is strong Old
'Joe Gales" steadily works his old organ, and gives
occasional flourish that tells. The Republic is
really very vigorous and sklful partizan sheet,
and, following in the wake Of President Fillmore
leaves stone untuIned to elect Scott. The little
Telegraph plays second fiddle briskly, and squeaks
sharply too, So far organship is concerned, The
wings have the advantage. Added to this, the Ma
fonai Era which is vigorously conducted is strong
ly antiPerce and gives all the aid and comfort it
can to the Wing candidate.
The President, after little eoyness, has given in
his adhesion warmly and is understood to be doing
all he can. Unlike Mr.. Webster, he looks to the
future, and having squeezed the Southern orange
dry has thrown away the rnd Henceforth he is
to be marked among the Northern politicians. par
excellence. This is now understood, and his best
friends here must admit it. He is pliable and ia
eile man, and his future viii prove it Webster is
still sulleny resentful and bent ON playing Achilles
to the last BE will Mother forget nor forgive, and
Will continue to stand as stumbling block in tho
way OF the party. This has been clearly indicated
by his organs and friends, some Of whom seem to
entertain The almost insane hope, that Union
ganization may possibly be raised strong enough to
throw the election into the House. This is wild
yisioL-but when the call for a convention, signed
by such men as Curtis Of Boston, Gentry of Tennes
see, &c. and sustained by Stephens in Georgia and
others elsewhere, is considered, il cannot be entirely
disregarded.
The more togacious of the Southern wings who
have no hoTes from the democracy, ard know how
fatal the Scottishe is TO them % home, tako this
course on the S0pre qIe1 pea principle. Webster IS
willing 10 be used this way 20 ioJ and trustrate
those who have wounded him to the quick. be
looks very badly, and seems TO be breaking fist.
He probably viii not linger long after his great
compeers who have recently passed away; and an
swarthy face. tempcrpg its ulen gloom. IL is
striking commentary on the end Of ambition, and
the empine of its rewards 10 mark the last hours
Of these intellectual gladators. Calhoun, with bis
cbbing breath, sadly and sternly pTophesying the
failure Of his great efforts to avert coming evils
from the land he loved. Clay, in his sick chamber,
startled from the contemplation Of his approaching
change from time to eternity by the shouts ratIiy
ing tho. nomination OF the victorious chieftain,
whose Last triumph was over him and his wills and
now Webster, like Gagged eagle, frotting away his
few remaining hours in indignant silence, and
passing down 10 the land Of shadows with blacser
shadow on his proud soul, and store of bitter me-
mories iradiated with no hope. For well does Web
ster know that, unlike his great compeers, he has
touched only the nations pride and It's intellect
never its heart. Few, indeed, are those who will
mourn for Daniel Webster the man. while many |
wept for Calhoun and Clay-though all must 40
knoWledge that mighty spirit will be eclipsed |
when the passing bell shall toll the requiem Of
that unquiet heart.
These are the inside influences here. Let us
glance abroad What do we zee Mass meetings, !
70 styled by courtesy-where the masses are very |
easily Misunderstanding speeches. squabbling and |
wrangliDg-but wonderful want Of issues, and a |
KIND OF total abstinence pledge as to principles. |
wing ana democrat now do not mean what they |
used TO, and vary widely North and South,
The Southern Rights Party Is in state either Of |
asphyxa or death The free soil party alone enjoys
vigorous vitality. II is active, and IKE serpent,
rears high its crest and hisses though delays to
strike or sting. Never before in the North was
that faction 80 potent, confident and 30 active.
Bot IT bides los time, holds it's conventices organ
lies its forces, and Ia steadily educating the public
mjIC for lie furpOfes Seward makes no sicn--bc L