The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-04
pRESIDENTIAL INTRIGUES.

The Washington correspondent of the
Philadelphia Ledger, "a neutral paper,) notes
as follows:
Before the last session closed, il was ascer-
tiined that Gen. Cass declined standing for
me succession. MIR. Buchanan's friends un-
derstood his purpose Of retirement, after the
accomplishment of bis mission to England,
and Judge Douglass had ANNOUNCED that his
name should not be presented to the country
This left the field unoecupied for Senator
Hunter, although at that time the condition
of parties presented faint hope for success
Senator Bright, with keen eye for prefer
ment, put in for the Vice Presidential stakes,
but not with the concurrence OF Mr.. Hunter,
who is too shrewd n tactcian to entangle
himself with any Vice Presidential alliance
Senator Broadhead likewise had incllnations
for the same prize on which Mr.. Bright had
fixed his eyes.
After the adjournment, Mr. Hunter retired
to his farm, and made three stirring speeches
during the Virginia Gubernatorial campaign.
Mr. Bright, after remaining and arranging
matters in Washington, started for the west
and being great buyer of land, he repaired
to Lake Superior, the grand theatre of land
speculation and the resort of many politicians
during the summer months. Mr. Broadhead
left for Philadelphia, to start party under
the name of Mr.. Dallas for President, which
might secure him votes in the Pennsylvania
delegation for Vice President in the Cincin-
natl Convention. Events were prOsperously
ripening when the Gashing election Of Mr..
Wise, which he carried himself by storm,
transferred to him popularity and political
power, which Mr.. Hunter had ever failed to
achieve. His star, which had seemed in the
ascendant now grey dim before the rising
fortunes of Mr.. Wise The State elections
which ensued-so unexpected in their results
changed the whole face of affairs. The
State election was suggestive of Mr.. Buchan-
an-his name doomed up before the country
and all eyes were turned towards him. ltnow
became apparent tht the Know Nothing or
ganization, must die out in the south; and al
though some States lad voted the American
ticket, yet in 1856 tn, whole South would be
united; that 80 votes from the free States
would elect President, and that Pennsylva-
MIA alone would furnish 81 With these
considerations staring on the minds of pol.
iticans, Mr.. Buchanin's strength increased
IN every section, and he seemed likely to re-
ceive the Cincinnati nomination without IN
effort.
The other parties, seeing Interpretations
foilcd by the current Of events, found it ne
cessary TO check the progress Of Mr.. Buchan
an, by breaking down the Union, the national
paper, and wrest that weapon nut of his
hands. Messrs. Nicho son and Forney are
the editors, the fornerA well-known friend
of President Pierce, and the latter of Mr.
Buchanan. At the Democratic caucus,
convened as usual, to select paper for pub
lie printing, it was found that Messrs. Hunter
Bright, Broadhead, Mason, Bayard, Butler,
and Brown, of Miss, who although they en-
tered the Senate themselves through the
straight gate Of caucus nominations, refused
to submit to the majority. Senator Bright
Notwithstanding his raneOrous opposition to
the President for the last two years, made n
speech in the caucus extoling him and Ais
public measures, bat declared hostiIities
against the "Union." Others of them made
similar speeches. They regard the President
as out Of nomination, and that his friends may
be propiliateG by theirwofessons of regard
into their support.
They have, however, decreed that no friend
of Mr. Buchanan shall speak through the
columns of the Government paper ut Wash
ington; and in this they are likely to succeed,
even il success is acquired by the aid Of the
Know Notbings and Republicans, who COM
pose the minority side of the Senate. This,
then, is the first gun ired into :he camp Of
\ e.