Newspaper Page Text
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COLUMBUS, GA.
TCSKDiIt JASIAKY 19, 1858.
m THE TIMES.”
Mr. Roswkll Ellis ho3 become a?och!od
M a partuer in this establishment. Mr. Ellis
will have charge of the bonks ant! accounts of
the establishment. Cap*. Niles* will continue
to be the travelling partner and agent, while the
jn and scissors will remain in the hands of the
present Editor.
Business letters to bo addressed to Forsyth,
Niks and Ellis.
CONGRESS— MR. CALHOUN.
The great event of the past week's Congress
ional news is Mr. Calhoun’s speech. As an
act of special personal courtesy, the ten regiment
bill was defered for the purj,osc of hearing him
•n hi*resolutions. His speech occupies several
heavy columns, too muc h for our space. Ihe
ability of the effort challenges our admiration,
while it fails to convince our judgement. It is
difficult to comment upon his views arid purpos
es, for they are far from being definite. That they
are not practical, is evidence.’ by his own avow
ed failure to sustain his plans in detail. He is
for taking and boi ling a “line”; and yet will
not say what line. lie is against the |>roposi
tion that ibe war is just and necessary, yetis for
some indrnmity, Iwcausc llie people have “ irre
vocably rtrolrtd ” to have it. He is against vigo
tous war and extensive occupation on the score
of expense, yet admits that the “line policy”
will not bring us peace at any period that can
be foreseen ; and without attempting to show
that a border warfare will not cost as much in
life and money, as a war in the heart of the en
emy’s county, with the n ines, duties and taxes
of the country in our hands to defray it. He says
that his old line from I’aso del Norte to the Gull
of California, could have been defended by “ a
few vesaels of war stationed in the Gulf, and a
Mingle regiment.”
He appeals powerfully to the fears of the
country; and predicts bankruptcy and ruin from
the heavy expenses of another campaign—(his
predictions of the same sort last year, have been
singularly falsified.) Last year he said, we eou'd
not get men to carry on the war; that “ the
spirit of volunteering is gone—so many men of
broken constitutions relurn—so many who went
for glory, return with shattered health—so many
give such a desperate account of the affair, that
toe get no more volunteers .”
Now, he tells us, “ the great difficulty in pro
secuting your campaign, will he to obtain money.
Ms* rot; jiat raise, but money will be diffi
cult to okt.” Mr. Calhoun was a false prophet
lust year, by his own admission. May he not
bo so again 1
Mr. Calhoun’s ambition appears to be singu
larity. He admires more the ruddy and errat
ic course of the comet, than the steady and per
vading splendor of the Sun. And like the com
et which has been shaking its fiery (ail at our
earth, alarming the timid and the Ignorant with
the prospect, some day, of brushing it out of ex
istence; Mr. Calhoun is forever’shaking his
“gory locks” at the Union,and predicting crises
of ruin and disaster, which the more hopeful
believers in the “ manifest destiny” of our race,
cannot sec, and which so far, at least, have nev
er come. The country will not we think, he
frightened by the hohgohblings and spectres
which Aat his brilliant imagination. It will
not like a|fo, believe, that pur most appaling
danger in thiSHlr is our wonderful success. It
will not credit the fact, that our institutions are
to be corrupted, and our liberty uplicavtd, hy
what be calls our “entaglement” with the n
dians and half-breeds of Mexico. Come what
will, our |*eople and government, can be and i
will be true to themselves, and in our humble !
opinion, will all the exigencies and
responsibilities which the events of the war may
throw upon them;—whether it be to dispose of j
and govern contiguous territories of Mexico, j
ceded to us, by way of indemnity; or whether it ]
be, by the compulsion of Mexican obstinacy,
that wc have to govern and dispose of the whole
Mcx ieau country.
Too much lund is an ill, that has never yet
euteml into the vocabulary of Yankee evils; and
as for the people, emigration and the spirit ol
“Westward Ho,” will settle all that. Where
•re the hordes of Indians that covered tills con
tinent, when a handful of pilgrims first landed
on Plymouth Rock? They arc where the Mexi
can Indians will he a few years hence, when our
swelling population, which will be 70 millions
in ISDO, shall roll its tide towards the Pa
cific shore. Mr. Calhoun likens our Mexican
possessions (to be) to those of England in In
dia. Broad prairies, traversed by well beaten
trails, soon to be replaced by /Jail-way tracks j
lie betwixt us ar.J Mexico; while 10,000 miles
of blue ocean seperate Britain from her Eastern
possessions. He points to Ireland as an exam
ple of the evils of provincial possessions, and
argues that our capacity to hold such possessions
without imparing the liberty of the citizen, is far
interior to that ot England. W’c always have
•apposed that the curse ot Ireland was over
population, absenteeism, and the monopoly of
ltuds iu the hands ot the few. And it occurs to
us just now, that if England had just such anoth
er country as Mexico, lying contiguous to her,
on which to turn the redundant and starving
masses of her Irish subjects, it would be an
immense relief both to the Queen's government
•ad to the Irish people. Ireland and England aie
suffering, because, they have not got land enough
to foed their people—and thus, Mr. Calhoun uses
•s an argument against territorial extension.
Mr. Calhoun’s speech is a splendid tissue of
vagaries—an effort greatly to lie admired by the
brilliant auditory who crowded the Senate but,
after that, cut bona? What good does he pro
poae? Who has he convinced ? Public men, the
officers of the army, the press, the whole people,
•re against him aal his views, as eminently un
practical. Admired it will be, but it is destined
to foil to make an impression on the minds of an
earnest and intelligent people and government,
having to deal with a great, real and practical
question. Facts, and not phantasies must lie
oar guides.
Gioroia Mi lit AST Acarext.— We are
gratified to observe a resolution of the late Leg
islature, approved by the Governor, loaning to
the Georgia Military Academy, at Greenville, aJ
stand of small muskets and twelve swords, for
tha use of the Ehxes of that Institution.
We understand tbs School is doing well, and
bids fair to be a very useful auxiliary in the edu
cation ol the youth of Geoigia.
| THE NC \V TERRITORY QUESTION
j --THE YVILMOT PROVISO— GENE
; It All CASS.
The reader will find in another column, Gen*
j ('ass’s recent letter on a subject that has almost
1 exclusively occupied and agitated Congress and
I the country for the last two years. We may be
i permitted, heartily and cordially to congratulate
! the country and particularly the Southern section
of it, on the more auspicious aspect, in which
this question is now presented, and the sounder
justei ml more constitutional views, which pre
vail now, than those which a year ago threatened
to destroy the ancient landmarks of political
parties, and to array two sections of the Union
against each other, in formidable and dangerous
hostility. To time and r< flection and to the
“* second sober thought” of the patriotic Democ
racy of the Free States, are we indebted for this
brighter future for the Union. Momentarily car
ried away by the excitement growing out of the
Wilmot Proviso proposition, the Democracy of
the North were at one period in danger of yield
ing to the fanaticism which was waging ruthless
war on the Constitutional rights of the Southern
States, and which had already completely con
quered and led captive, its antagonist political
party. But, a few months has marked a complete
and mighty revolution in Northern Democratic
sentiment, and now, out of New York, (where
there is ground to hope that time will yet cure
the schism which is more personal than political,)
the doctrines avowed by Mr. Buchanan and Mr.
Dallas, arid more recently by Gen. Cass, are
those which the Republican party is determined
and pledged to sustain. The Wilmot Proviso is
virtually repudiated by the masses of Northern
Democracy, and the question of Slavery in Ter
ritories, to be formed into States, is left, where it
only rightfully belongs, with the people of those
Mates, without the interference of Congress, ei
ther affirming or prohibiting the right to hold
Slave property^.
Such !3 the doctrine of Gen. Caw’s letter. It
concedes all we have understood that the
South ever claimed, and all, that according to
our conceptions of justice, Constitutional right
and Free Government, we have the right to ask
We have therefore been greatly surprised to find
the Charleston Mercury taking exception to the
doctrines of Gen. Cass’s letter. The proposi
tion to which the Mercury objects, is stated by
itself:
“ Tb** proposition is, that to the inhabitants
of the Territory, not when they shall con-
Mitute a State, but whilst in the condition of a
I erritory, shall be submitted the question whe
ther Slavery shall exist within its limits.”
\\ e ask, if the people of the Territory.knocking
for admission as a Stale into the Union, are not
to decide this question, who is to decide it?—
And if they arc to decide it, w hen is the proper
time—at what other time, indeed, can they de
cide it—unless it be when as a people they meet
in Convention, and form their Constitution, and
present themselves, with that Constitution in
hand, sr candidates for a sovereign position in
the confederacy ? Either the people of the Ter
ritory or Congress, must decide the question of
Slavery or no Slavery in the new State. It is of
the essence of Wilmot Provisoism, to claim for
Congress the power to decide it, and the duty to
decide it iu a particular way. The Mercury, of
course, denies the power to Congress, and deny
ing it to the people of the Territory, where, we
a>k again, does the power reside ?
A negation of the power of Congress to inter
fere, pro or con, it appearsto us,covers the whole
ground ol constitutional right and authority.—
We can go nofuitber. And while we of the
South strenuously deny the claim of the North
to exert the authority of Congress to prohibit
Slavery in the new Territories, wc should equal
ly sin against justice and the Constitution,w ere we
to insist that for the protection or for the purpose
of extending the boundaries of Slavery, Congress
shall establish Slavery in the new Territories.—
i lie South lias as little right to ask Congress to
establish or to authorize Slavery in the State of
: New A ork, as the latter has to ask Congress to
j abolish that Institution in Georgia. And nei
ther New York nor Georgia have a right to de
mand that Congress shall either authorize or
prohibit Slavery in those Territories about to bc
j come States. The whole subject belongs ar.d
j belongs alone, to the free white citizens of these
Territories, and as they are the parties most con
cerned in the question, to them, w# claim, is the
question rightfully, constitutionally, and solely
reserved for decision.
The Mercury is startled at the idea of trusting
the decision of this question to the “ Indians
Negroes, and Spaniards of impure blood” in
Mexican territory, likely to become Territory of
the United Stales. At present, we should be
afraid to trust that people with any question of
importance bearing upon the interests of this
Government and people. But in advance of
their power to decide on the character of the
Institutions,which they, as new States shall bring
into the Union, is to be decided by us? whether
they are prepared for self-Governraent and fitted
in any respect, to take the responsible and dig
nified part of a Sovereign State. When hy a
proper infusion of American blood, notions, laws,
thoughts and feelings—which experience teaches
us, will not be long in taking place—a Mexican
Territory shall bccotu a fitting candidate for admis
sion; then, we should say, admit her, as we have
done Missouri and Texas, with Slavery; or Wis
consin and Indiana, without it, as their people
shall decide. Certainly, it does not become the
South to insist on arresting the growth of the
Union, unless Slavery is extended pari passu
with it. This would be “ Slavery propagand-
Lm,” with a vengeance. And, it is one thing
to defend the institution from improper interfer
ences, and attack by the North and by Congress,
and it is quite another thing to be forcing it down
the throats of people who have neither taste nor
Use for it.
Our true policy is, to keep the hands of Con
gress off of the subject, and leave it to the natu
ral elements of population, climate, soil, and the
real wants of the new Territories, to decide
whether Slavery shall or shall not exist within
their limits. To go beyond this.but strengthens
the hands of the foes to tho institution and weak
ens our Own.
Leave it where the Constitution has left it, and
it is in its safest place.
The Republic. —We have received the first
number of a-very handsome sheet of this name,
published by James M. Smtthe, Esq., late Edi
tor ot the Chronicle & Sentinel, at Augusta.
\V hile reading its graceful editorials, we could
not suppress a feeling of regret that talents and
acquirements like those of the Editor should be
embarked in a political cause, so adverse, as it
appears to us, to the best interests of the coun
try, and so alien to the natural sympathies of
every State Rights Southern man. We shall
exchange with the ‘JRepublic” with great plea
sure.
HON. RKVERDY JOHNSON.
Tha honorable and honest men of the Whig
party, ought to get on their knees and thank the
Whig Senator from Maryland, for redeeming the
whig party,by one patriotic speech,from the career
of contempt and disgrace which its representa
tives in Congress, have all this winter, been run
ning. While, on the war question, the general
Whig conduct in Congress has been false, fac
tions and disgraceful, one Whig Senator has
dared to stand up for the country, with a man
ly disregard of the behests of party. His vivid
and eloquent speech concludes with these words
“Mexico is answerable for all these sad and
“ sickening results. The war is just, because
“ she commenced it. It does exist by her act,
“ and, so help me God, but for that conviction,
“ as I reverence truth and detest falsehood, I
“ would never have voted for the act of 15th
“May, 1846.”
What a stinging rebuke to tho3e Whigs who
voted the war to be the “ act of Mexico” in ’46,
and who a lew days since, voted it to have been
“ unnecessarily and unconstitutionally commenc
ed by the President.”
What do Messrs. Toombs and Stephens and
Jones of Georgia,’say to this significant appeal
to truth and deprecation of falsehood, by the
Whig Senator of Maryland?
But the Augusta *• Chronicle” defends them
and says they were obliged to vote for what H.
Clay called a “ lie,” and what they, Representa
tives and Editor, have now declared tobe a “lie”
by their late votes and editorials. One thing is
certain—either their vote of May ’46, or their
late vote on Ashmun’s amendment is a “ lie.”
They are the affirmative and negative of the
same proporirion, and our Whig statesmen from
Georgia, have voted for both ! Htiw contempti
ble does statesmanship become, when it dwindles
down to the dwarfish dimensions of mere party
ism! Word-eaters, Weather-cocks, Factionists!
Bah! It is enoqgh to turn the stomach of hon
esty and fuir dealing !
A WAR WHIG.
.The Message of the Whig Governor Young,
of New \ork, has taken the country by surprise.
This gentleman, elected by the fanatical Whigs,
under the auspices of the New York Tribune,
and opposed by the Webb faction as too much
the creature of Greeley’s Isms, has come out
for a rigorous prosecution of the war, and full
indemnity as the price of peace. Greeley of the
I ribune is taken “all aback,” and abuses his late
protege without stint for his advocacy of a “cru
el war.” The Courier & Enquirer, cn the other
hand, endorses the views of the man it opposed
for Governor. So they go. One thing is cer
tain, that “vigorous war” is popular at the North
Gov. Young beholds the course of the current
clearly, and as it happens to run parallel with the
stream of jratriotism, he uncompromisingly com
mits himself to its waters. Mr. Calhoun ad
mits, in his late speech, that indemnity is a
thing fixed— a foregone conclusion, on which the
minds of the American people are “irrevocably
resolved.” Indeed, this resolve is apparent eve
ry where. The Democratic and neutral press,
without exception, and very many of the Whig
presses are in favor of h, ar.d it is the general
feeling of the people of the country, that as this
war is a reality, and has cost precious blood and
vast treasure, that it should only be ended when
the country that has ruthlessly begun it, shall
have footed its bill of costs. This is the dictate
of Common sense, anil ootnmsn juotic,
no man is great enough—no man can be
puffed by adulatory friends into dimensions great
enough, to put down so common-sense and plain
a proposition.
TIIE PRESIDENCY.
The “Southern Recorder” re-publishcs anar.
tide from the “Charleston Mercury,” warning
the South against Northern Democratic candi
dates for the Presidency, and in an introductory
article expresses its surprise, that the Southern
Democrats have soprominnnly brought forward
the Slavery question in connection with the can
vass for the Presidency. The “Recorder” very
readily adopts the idea thrown out by the “Mercu
ry,” that no Northern Democrat is trustworthy
on this question, and this in the face of the pub
lic avowals of Buchanan, Dallas and Cass! It
is very evident what both these papers are dri
ving at. Their Presidential candidates both hap.
pen to be Southern men, Mr. Calhoun and Gen #
Taylor. Now it 60 happens that the Democratic
party of the country is in a very different position
from that ot the Recorder’s party. We are not
like the Recorder, on account of the universal
rottenness of our party in the free States, on the
Slavery question, driven to the necessity of hav
ing a Southern candidate. We are not forced
to dissolve our tits with our political brethren in
all parts of the Union, and to take up a military
candidate, who has not yet deigned to acknowl
edge the firet political sentimeut. W’e are no’-
obliged, for fear of a fatal disagreement on any
one point, to refuse to “reiterate our principles.”
W e have distinguished members of our party, a t
the North and West, who are as sound on the
Constitutional aspect of the slavery question as
any Southern man, and far more practical in
their views than some of them. And however
convenient it may be for the “ Mercury” and the
“ Recorder” to throw doubts on their fidelity, to
promote their own particular views, the country
knows that these gentlemen are true and sound,
and have, hy their timely and manly expositions
not only demonstrated their fidelity, but laid the
South under the heaviest obligations of gratitude,
by arresting the torrent of anti-Slavery opinion
which lately threatened to overwhelm all political
parties, and to divide the Union.
And, we may say, that it ill becomes a press
that sustains the party that has elected Mr.
Winthrop Speaker of the House by Southern
Whig votes, to cast stones at such men as Bu
chanan, Dallas and Cass, in the Northern Dem
ocratic ranks.
Mr. Kennedy of Indiana. —We regret to
notice the report of the death of Mr. Kennedy,
for several years a member of Congress from In
diana.
He died at home on the 31st December, of
small pox.
Mr. Holmes of S. G< —We have remarked
that the “Charleston Mercury” had called upon
the Representative from the Charleston District
to explain his course of conduct, by which Mr,
Winthrop was elected Speaker. Mr. Holmes
has replied. His defence is, that he voted for
Speaker to defeat the views of three rabid Abo
litionists who opposed him. The “Mercury” is
not satisfied with the explanation, and tells Mr.
Holmes if his object was to procure an Abolition
defeat by the election of a steady and talented
anti-Slavery Speaker, he has been singularly un
successful; for every act of Mr. Winthrop since
his election, whether in the organization of com
mittees, or giving casting votes in favor of Abo
lition petitions, has been in perfect keeping and
consistency with his uniform character as an un
compromising’ enemy to the “peculiar institu
tions” of the South. Mr. Homes has probably
got himself into an ugly scrape.
U. S. Senator. —The Governor of Maine
has appointed the Hon. Way man B. 8. Moor,
U. S. Senator to supply the vacancy occasioned
by the death of Mr. Fairfield.
Domestic Sucar.— One of our mercantile
friends brought to us yesterday, a sample of brown
Sugar, which, to our surprise, he informed ua,
was manufactured in Muscogee county, from
cane grown by Mr. W. P. Jones, of the Halloca
District. We call it an excellent article. The
color is lighter than the good qualities of New
Orleans, the grain coaise and rock-like,and very
sweet. Mr. Jones,on a small patch, made enough
for his own consumption, and bad several barrels
of Sugar and Molasses for sale. It has been
well observed that every man who makes two
blades ofgrass grow, where only one grew before,
deserves well of his country. Mr. Jones is en
titled to the praise of showing to our planters
that this necessary luxury can be had at their
own doors.
The “Chronicle.” —lt appears that it was
only the object of the “Chronicle” to “corner
the Editor of the ‘Times’ with Mr. Polk’s state
ment of a fact,” and having done so to his own
entire satisfaction, the Chronicle Editor is done.
We are truly happy that our cotemporary is so
much pleased with the success of his own labors.
After having been subjected to the cornering
acuteness of the Editor, we have only to thank
Heaven that it is no worse. Certainly, we aro
not inclined to imitate our antagonist in an im
modest boast of victory. We leave that foroth”
era to decide. Ferat palmani, qui meruit.
Revenues of Mexico. —A General Order
issued by Gen. Scott from Head Quarters in
Mexico, directs the payment of all the revenues
of the Mexican States and places occupied by
our troops to the Army, from and after the Ist
December last, and prohibits the authorities from
making any other disposition of taxes and dues,
under stringent rules and penalties.
The internal taxes referred to are—lst, Di
rect Taxes; 2d, Duties on the produce of the
Gold and Silver Mines; 3d, Melting and As
saying Dues; 4th, the 1 ohacco Rent; sth, the
Rent of Stamped Paper; 6th, the Rent in the
Manufacture of Playing Cards; and 7th, the
Rent of Post Offices.
The Rent of National Lotteries is abolished,
and Lotteries prohibited.
The import and export duties at the ports of
the Republic, will remain as fixed by the United
States, except that the exportation of gold and
silver in bars or ignots ( plata y oroen pasta) is
prohibited until further orders from the United
States.
All imported articles which have once paid du
ty, are not to be burthened with further internal
tax in any part of the country held by the Amer
ican troops.
The Tobacco, Playing Cards, and Stamped
Paper Rents will be placed under contract with
the highest bidder, for six or twelve months, in
the several States respectively, and bids are invi
ted accordingly.
All this looks like making the enemy pay the
expenses of a war, which he insists on continu
ing, and carrjing out the views repeatedly
urged by this Government.
COLUMBUS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Muscogee, No. I—R. H. Ware President; W.
rusiei Foreman ;J. U. Strupper Assist, rore
man ; J. D. Johnson, Secretary ; R. H. Greene,
Treasurer.
Vigilant, No. 2 —Col. R. H. Taylor, President
L. T. Woodruff. Foreman; R. T. Brice, Assist
ant Foreman; John H. Davis, Secretary; R.
Patten, Treasurer.
Chief Engineer- —Capt. H. T. Hall; Assistant
do. B. J. Mathews.
No 2. last week, received anew machine from
the north. A trial of its powers on Wednesday
was highly satisfactory. It is capable of throw
ing two streams over the highest buildings in tho
city. It was built by James Smith ofN. Y. and
cost, with 700 feet of hose, $1,552, and was paid
for, entirely*we believe, by private subscription
raided by the energy and* public spirit of Mr. J.
C. Ruse and Mr. H. T. Hall.
The city omcers elect, for the present munici
pal year, are:
City Physician, Dr. Tlios. Hoxey.
Bridge Keeper, Wm. Martin.
Sexton,”’ ‘ j er> Terry.
Clerk of the Market, B. Y\ ee ks.
Keeper of Hospital, Mrs. M’Gee!
Ohio. The Democratic State Convention has
nominated Gen. Cass for tho Presidency by a
vote of 237 to 22. John B. Weller was nom
inated as the Democratic candidate for Governor.
Alabama Democracy —The faithful and
Sterling democracy of Alabama have recently
met in council at Montgomery, and adopted res
olutions and an address which breathe the best
spirit of attachment to the time-honored princi
ples of Jefferson and Jackson and an abiding
confidence in their usefulness and success. We
regret that we cannot find room for them, this
week. The address is from the vigorous pen of
the talented Yancv.
I have this moment perused an able pamphlet
from the pen of Mr. Gallatin in which, without
any concert between us, I find that he takessrm
ilur positions to those which I had previously
occupied. He fortifies them by a striking array
of facts and powerful arguments.— Henry Clay,
Dec. 1847.
Albert Gallatin “ has no feelings, no attach
ments, no sympathies, no principles in common
with our people.” “He has filled at home and
abroad some of the highest offices under this gov
ernment during thirty years, and he is still at
heart an alien.” — Henry Clay in 1832.
Money Matters. —The New York Courier
of Wednesday says—“ The eflcct of the divi
dends that are making by States and monied in
stitutions is already perceptible in our market.
Money is decidedly easier, and borrowers upon
security or Stocks and Treasury Notes again
find lenders. 4
“The Country Bank Notes in general are re
deemed at $ per cent at Albany and £ to 1 per
cent in'this city.”
Latest Pahsian Fashions.— lt appears by
the following extract from a description of the
latest fashions in Paris, that quite a novel and
singular embellishment to the beauty of the fair
sex has been introduced :
Thetaste for Spanish beauty, which has grown
up in Paris since the royal marriages, has devel
oped a charm which French ladies had hitherto
seriously eradicated as a blemish, viz: theembel
ishment to a brunette’s upper lip of the slight
shadow that is like the darkening through of a
suppressed thought of a moustache. Scientific
cosmeticians are at (so much is it sought for)
with busy experiments on the original production
of peltry in places not intended.
Ladies in Court. —At Dedham, Mass, the
ladies attend the sittings of the Court of Common
Pleas. Recently there were counted twenty three
women in the galleries, who, while their earsand
eyes were open to the proceedings of the Court,
employed th ir fingers nimbly wilhthcu knitting
and sewing.
, | Correspondence of the Times.
’ No. 71.
Washiitston Cjtt, Jan. 6, 1848.
The quid mines are yet speculating over Mr.
Reverdy Johnson’s declaration, (at the Quitman
and Shield’s dinner,) that in his place in the Sen
ate he would maintain the righteousness, just
ness, nationality, and necessity of the Mexican
war. Those not aware of the peculiar traits of
his character, are drawing from this generally un
expected declaration, the impression that the
Taylor wing of Federalism in Congress intend j
one and all, to take the same positions. I fancy j
this is erroneous. Mr. Reverdy Johnson not un~ -
frequently takes the liberty of differing from hi s 1
political friends, and has been a decided man j
from the beginning of the contest. Hadjis pro- j
war speech been delivered by a Democrat, the
Federal papers would have bitterly complained
of it as an insult to the many Whigs present. —
Coming from a Federalist so high tened and dis
tinguished, however, they must put up with it.—
I cannot perhaps better describe it than as an ultra
locofoco war speech. The positions assumed in
Stevens’ resolutions, are those upon which the
Taylor men desired to go before the country in the
next canvass,(with the permission of Botts, Gid
dings Sc Cos.)
Gen. Quitman is said to converse freely upon
the subject of our future policy with Mexico.—
He believes that the republican party and the bu
siness population of that ill-fated country are
sincerely desirous that our troops shall never be
withdrawn, and that they take no measures to
bring about a treaty, because, to make peace at
present, will be followed by the prompt withdraw
al of our armies.
The arrival of Maj. J. P. Gaines increased the
opposition strength in the House one vote, Gov.
Brown, of Mississippi, not yet being on hand. —
They stand in need of all possible help, you may
rely on it.
On Monday last, Mr. Calhoun, aided by the
Whigs, endeavored to foil the Democracy in their
purpose of promptly passing the Ten Regiment
Bill. He insisted on first disposing of his resolu
tions. Mr. Hale and many of the Whigs took
the same view of the subjectmatter. Our friends,
however, beat down every proposition of the
kind, but agreed to give Mr. Calhoun Tuesday
for a speech on his resolutions. His failure to
carry the point of postponing the supply bill for
the general consideration of his abstractions,
proves that his vagarias are no longer dangerous.
This is a subject of congratulation with all, who,
liko your correspondent, are heartily sick of his
■ course in opposition to any and every thing that
happened for the nonce to stand (as he fancied,)
in the way of his individual advancement.
The knowledge that Mr. Calhoun intended to
speak on Tuesday, of course drew a great crowd
to the Senate. His effort was marked with his
usual ability, and his views with the vagaries for
which he has so long been famous. I may fairly
characterize his speech as a powerful attempt to
work on the fears of the country. He goes a
gainst the further protection of the war, and ad
heres to his line policy,not because he favors the
taking of indemnity, but as the people will insist
on thus obtaining territory. He challenged the
Whigs as they wish to be considered honest in
declaring the war “ unnecessary and unconstitu
tional,” to go with him against all supplies’ and
additional forces for its further prosecution. He
regards it in fact, as likely to “ tee-to-ta-tious-ly
ruinate” the country. In the course of this
speech he made an admission likely to hurt his
cause. This was a declaration that in judging o|
this war he was governed by just such views of
jaotivcj igli* and pvlivj ao Kirriy atuOS O'’
the Democratic party, to dissent from Gen. Jack
son’s policy with reference to France, which,
your readers will recollect, was eminently suc
cessful in vindicating the honor and securing the
rights of our country, and which forms, at this
day, in the estimation of all other Americans save
Messrs. Webster and Calhoun, one of the partic
ularly bright spots in the history of this Govern
ment.
In the limits of a news letter, I cannot venture
to present your readers with a sufficient sketch
of his speech, and therefore will refrain from fol
lowing the train of his argument.
Giddings, on Tuesday, also made an anti-war
speech in the House, where there was, as usual,
“ much ado about nothing.”
The nominations of Seth Barton as Charge to
Chili, Dr. Niles, of Vt., (who formerly filled the
same post,) to Sardinia,) and John Rowan, of
Ky., to Naples, were confirmed on Tuesday.—
That of John W. as commissioner to China,
having been confirmed the day before.
In the Senate on Wednesday,Mr. Calhoun and
the Whigs essayed to destroy the Ten Regiment
Bill, by voting the force volunteers instead of
regulars, on a motion of Mr. Crittenden. This
was lost, however; yeas 19, nays 27. Mr. Yu
lee did not vote, and Mr. Butler,with the Messrs.
Johnson, voting with the Democrats. The Bill
was ordered to be engrossed and on the question
of its passage ave are to ascertain how many
Whigs will go with Messrs. Calhoun and Kale
against all supplies or additional force for the
prosecution of the war. The House, on Wed
nesday, had up the difficulty between the Post-
Master General, and the Richmond Rail-Road
Company. Botts advocated the Company’s side
of the question, while Lincoln, a Whig, defend
ed the P. M. General.
Monday last was the day of importance of the
session in the House, so far. Being resolution
day, Hudson, of Mass., brought forward a prop
osition in effect, going for the recall of the troops,
for which, on calling the yeas and nays, forty-one
Federalists voted. Though among them were
two or three blue lights, representing Democrat
ic districts, they represent more federal voters
than all the rest of the Whigs of the House to
gether. They come, too, from the strong Fede
ral non-Slaveholding States, and doubtless, with
the exception of Botts and Boyden, (of N. C.,)
were faithfully expressing in this vote, the senti
timent of a large majority of the immediate sup
porters of each. The vote of these forty-one
gentlemen is here regarded as proof that General
Taylor cannot carry Massachusetts,Connecticut,
Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, or Ohio.
Houston, of Delaware, also brought forward a
resolution for the presentation of a Medal to ,
Gen. Taylor, and of the thanks of Congress to
himself and his army. Henley, of Indiana, at ,
once moved to amend it, by adding a clause say
ing 55” for services rendered to their country in
fighting her battles, or something to the same es- ,
feet. Whereupon, Ashmun moved to amend it
farther, by again adding 55” “in a war unneces
sarily and unconstitutionally commenced by the
President,” which amendment to the amendment
passed ; ayes 85, noes 81 ! ! ! !
Dr. Jones of your State dodged. Though sit
ting in his seat, he refused to answer to his name
when called.
The Expediency men were trapped into this i
vote, and in three hours after throwing it, would
have given their right hands to have been able
to blot it from the recollection of the country. —
It was successfully thrown, for some thirty expe- i
diency men who had previously intended to vote 1
the supplies and go for indemnity, have backed j
out, declaring that they cannot now undo this ]
unconstitutional and unnecessary faux pas, and i
must therefore “go the whole conscience hog.” 1
LOWNDES. ’
The Boston Post says that the semi-annual :
dividends of Railroad corporations in that vicin- i
ity, recently declared, amount to -nn milium of t
dollaife. ,
Correspondence of the Times.
Col. Jefferson Duvis-~Debate on the Ten Regi
ment Bill — The Southern Mail one/ the Rich
mond Rail Road Company — Post-Muster
General sustained by the House—Meeting of
democratic Members of Congress—Whig
principles dodged in this Congress — Ashman’s
amendment .
No. 72.
Washington City, Jan. 9, 1847.
Davis, of Mississippi, has astonished his friends
even, by the ability he has already displayed in
! the Senate. In the House he was not distinguish-
Jed, particularly. His field, it turns out, was not
‘in the‘beargarden.’ On Wednesday he measured
j swords—oratorical—-with Crittenden, in the dis
jcussion of the amendment to the Ton Regiment
Bill, proposed by the latter. This was to make
the force volunteers rather than regulars. Crit
tenden sustained this proposition with his usua*
ardor, and, strange to say,by descending to dem
agogueism,by way of enrrying favor for Fede
ralism with the volunteers and their friends. To
sustain the points he aimed to make, he under
took to garble and misquote the Adjutant-Gene
ral’s report, insisting that but eleven rather than
I
twenty-one thousand regulars had been recruited
within the last fifteen months. Davis,after show_
ing from the report, (which Crittenden held in
bis hand,) that he was wrong, went on to make
a conclusive argument in favor of granting the
description of troops, requested by the Depart
ment. I shall not attempt to sketch his speech,
but in remarking that it was a complete triumph
over Crittenden,l express to you the almost unan
imous opinion of those who beard the debate. —
He had occasion to speak in high terms of the ser
vices of the volunteers, and took the fate of the
gallant Palmetto Regiment as an illustration of
the impropriety of employing men, who like this
Regiment, were one and all qualified for almost
any duty of citizenship, in such a service, when
regulars could be obtained;
In addition to bis disinclination to devote the
lives and energies of such citizens to the service,
the greater healthfijlness of the regulars, the
greater economy of their employment, and their
better adaptation to garrison duty, of which there’
is now to be far more for our armies in Mexico
than heretofore, were his main reasons for advo
cating the use of this description of troops. His
eloquent recital of the sufferings aud services of
the Palmetto Regiment, brought tears into the
eyes ol Senator Butler, whose noble hearted bro
ther fell while leading it on to victory.
Crittenden, in the course of the day, appeared
to fancy that Mexico is conquered. To this Da
vis demurred, and .went on to show what consti
tuted conquest. His views in this connection
are striking, and proved that if we will conquer
Mexico, we have yet much work in hand.
To be conquered, he argued, a country must
either be ruined or colonized, or its government
must have been abrogated, neither of which has
been done in Mexico.
Mr. Hale tickled the wags on Thursday in a
long rigmarole speech, made apparently with the
view to blackguard the Executive, and to afford
him an opportunity to shower compliments on,
the course of Mr. Calhoun. He announced his
intention of voting for that gentleman’s resolu
tions. In fine, his effort afforded a strong illus
tration of the proneness of extremes to meet.
Mr. Calhoun, who evidently nauseates Mr. Hale,
kept away from the Senate chamber. It is said
that he intends resigning. This can hardly be so.
The rumor probably arose from a knowledge of
his purpose to visit South Carolina shortly.
The Senate did not meet on Friday. In the
House the Post Master Genera! triumphed over
the virulent combination against him upon the
question of the difficulty about the transportation
of the Great Mail from Washington, South. The
House in committee on the subject matter,reject
ed by large majorities, a number of propositions
favorable tothe demands and positions of ihe
company, and finally passed by twenty majority,
an amendment to or substitute for the original
resolution, authorizing the Post Master Genera]
to give the Rail Road Company the contract, pro
vided they would take it on his terms, and then
selves pay the damages to accrue to the Bay line.
. Our friends of Congress held a caucus on
Thursday night to talk over the best time for
the meeting of the Notional Convention. Mr.
Broadhead of Pa. was in the chair. Nothing def
inite was done. The chairman, however, was
empowered to appoint a committee to prepare
business, with authority to call such another
meeting shortly. From the tenor of the remarks
of various members from different quarters of the
country, it was evident that the sentiment in fa
vor of the meeting of the Convention as early as
heretofore, was nearly unanimous.
This is well. I repeat, that our only danger is
from the success of the Federal game that has for
Its object to shrik the legitimate issues between
the two great parties. You must have noticed
that no Whig in Congress has 6aid “ bank” or
“ tariff” since the opening of the session, not
withstanding the furious denunciations of the do
mestic policy of the Government with which they
were redolent last winter. Even Andy Stew
art —Handy Andy—docs’nt dare to say “ boo”
now.
They have a holy horror of meeting the issues
“upon the square.”
Yesterday’s action of the House was indeed a
moral triumph. Os all the ordeals through which
the Post Master General has passed during his
long public service, the onslaught upon him on
account, really, of the outrageousconduct of the
Virginia Rail Way Company, has been the most
severe. The Chamber of Commerce, I believe,
of New York City, were pressed into the arena
against him, among others. They memorialized
Congress to put a stop to the present irregularities
of the Southern Mail, and wherever a joint stock
company had its head and front, there the Fede
ral press black-guarded him as in duty bound.—
And Mr. Ilead-him-or-die took the matter in hand,
the quid nuncs say, with a pledge to induce the
Whig House to order an instant compliance with
the demands of the Company. Well, the matter
has been thoroughly sifted ; speech upon speech
and expose upon expose, in favor of the Compa
ny, have been made, and the result is such an
endorsement of the propriety of his decisions and
acts, as Mr. Cave Johnson might well have been
proud to have received at the hands of a Demo
cratic House. Your readers, I presume, hardly
need an assurance that if his case had not been
perfectly plain wc should have witnessed the pas.
sage of a resolution censuring him in strong terms
for the opposition in Congress are bent on letting
no opportunity pass affording a plausible excuse
for finding fault with the members, one and all.
It is now to be hoped that the public will throw
the blame for the late and current irregularities
of the mail between Washington and Petersburg!]
where it justly belongs, upon the grasping ava
rice of this mammoth corporation, a thing (so far
as its especial privileges go) of the devil’s own
devising.
The usual grand ball takes place to-morrow
night, at Jackson Hall. On Wednesday next, the
12th inst., we are to have a Democratic public
supper at the same place, in commemoration of
the victory of New Orleans, at which, besides
the veteran association, (a band who have done
more for the preservation of the principle of Jef
ferson, than has been effected by the same num
ber of men at any other point in the country,)
all active or distinguished republicans at present
in \Vashington, will doubtles be present. We
therefore anticipate a feast ol reason, and a sow
of soul as rich, as rare.
The opposition m Congress intending to go for
indemnity and supplies, are actually endeavoring
to get over their “unnecessary and unconstitu
tional” vote, by declaring that Ashmun’s amend
bttHrfotaJ Thiaii of that, will you!
I A fine occasion that for jok ing~a rich
i.ouor.rte f.i, r.L
Ihe truth is, they realize that this vote, taken*.
. originally intended—in dead earnet- w j|j con *
. pel them one and all to make war to the
p ° n h General Taylor’s Presidential pretensions-I
I here is no escaping this conclusion, and th,L
who were concerned with Ashmun in devising
the trap for expediency, do not intend that anv
who have character enough to even profess con
sistency shall escape. You will perceiveS
step by step the ruhng principle of Federalism
is thus leading its votanes of this day, as it ] e d
their fathers ol lSl2and ’l4, into a labyrinth 0 f
puerility and treachery, out of which they til
escape, if ever, in little squads, denying tS
ulentity with the Whiggery of the times jf corns*’
Holmes is about to publish an
of hi. singular X ’
Speaker. The tone of the Mercr7;= * thfl
to have alarmed him, as it were. The wJSd of
quid nuncs are evidently on the uni v r i
exposfe, which, ten to one viA- i'l* ? r hl *
thors mind, a budget of inconsistencies
LOWNDES.
Vote of thanks to Gen. Tatlor_M b .
Ashmi n sAmesdxknt.— Mr. Houston, ofDel
eware, introduced into the House of Representa
tives on the 2d inst. a resolution of thanks to Gen.
Taylor and his troops for their heroism at Buena
Vista. Mr. Henly moved an amendment by
adding the words “engaged as they were, in de
fending the rights and honor of the Nation ”
when Mr. Ashmun moved to amend the amend
ment by adding the words “in a war umiecssari
ly and unconstitutionally begun by the Presiden 1
of the United States.”
Mr. Ashmun’s amendment was sustained by
85 ayes to 81 nays. Messrs. T. B. King, Toombs
and Stephens of Georgia voted in the affirmative
Gen. Taylor and his troops will feel vastly com
plimented by a resolution coupled with an amend
ment like this.
The Augusta Constitutionalist after copying
the vote on the foregoing resolution, makes the
following emphatic comments.
r COs trat
In 1846, when hostilities broke out between
this country and Mexico, a certain act was ras .
sed by Congress by a vote one hundred and 74,
yeas vo foitken nays, declaring that the war
was brought on BY THE ACT OF MEXICO,
.•imong tho yeas, ft was a source of gratification
to us, and no doubt to the people of Georgia, that
every representative from this State, gave his
vote ate to the bill. But what a sad picture
does the above vote now present to us. Two of
our members, THOMAS BUTLER KING and
ROBERT ‘TOOMBS, who voted in 1846, that
the war was brought on by the act of Mexico, in
18 >B, we find voting that the war was “unnec
ca-sanly and unconstitutionally begun bo the
President of the United States and voting
with them we find the name of ALEXANDER
HAMIL TON S IEPHEN S ! another represen
tatives from Georgia,/ Scripture teaches, us that
ho who is not for us is against us. Common
sense teaches us, that he who is not for his c< un
try is against it. Two of our representatives
have been for and against, and another is now
found in their company ! We will not placo
members, nor use the terms that
their change of position provokes, but leave that
for the people ot this State and Union to do.—
That their course on this question may not bo
forgotten by the present generation or posterity,
we place them, with the company they have se
lected, in opposite colums, and shall keep the
list in our paper until their names become a a
lomiliar as household words. Here they are;
184-6. 1848.
Whereas, by the act Be it Resolved, Thai
of the Republic of Mex- thanks he returned to
ieo, war exists between Gen. Taylor, &. “in
the United States, and a war unnecossarilly
that ftepublic, <Scc. and unconstitutionally
begun by the President
of the United.,’ Statee
Among the Yeas, Among the Yeas,
Barringer, Barringer,
Gockc, Cocke,
Urozier, Crozier,
Gentry, Gentry
Hampton, Hampton,
J. VV. Houston, J. W. Houston,
T. B. King, T. B. King,
Marsh, Marsh
Rumsey, liumspy,
J. A. Rockwell, J. A Rockwell,
Schenck, Schenck,
Truman Smith, Truman Smith,
Stewart, Stewart,
St. John, St. John,
I hibodeatx, Thibodeaux,
Robert Toombs, Robert Toombs,
Vinton, Vinton,
(not present) Alex. H. Stephens.
Ihe remaining W big member from Georgia,
Dr. Jones, did not vote on Ashmun's amend
ment. We presume he was absent.
Valne of Railroad Stocks, and their
Prospective Values in tlic U. 9.
The following statement in relation to tho
Massachusetts railroads, during the past year, is
highly gratifying to those engaged in the con
stuction of new lines, as well as to those interes
ted in the roads here named. The annual re
ports will show that the earnings of the numer
ous railroads, in (he country, will greatly exceed
that of the proceeding year; and many peoplo
who had articles ready for market in the fall of
1846, after the close of erwa/navigation, will du
ly appreciate the value of railroads to the farmer.
Another such demand, in winter, for the pro
ducts of the soil would be sure to bring millions
of capital from other investments in the construc
tion of railroads.
“ The following semi-annual dividends, for
the six months just ended or about to close, are
announced:
Boston and Maine railroad, five per cent.
Boston and Worcester railroad, live per
cent.
Fitchburg railroad, five per cent.
Western railroad, four per ceut.
Lowel railroad, four per cent.
Eastern railroad, four per cent
Boston and Providence railroad, four per
cent.
Old Colony railroad, three per cent.
Fall River railroad, three per cent.
The receipts of the W'estern Road for the fi
nancial year, ending on the Ist of December,
have been $1,318,000, showing an increase over
last year 0f5365,000 or SI,OOO per day, for every
day in the year, Sundays and holydays included.
This is $365,000 more than the estimate made
at the last annual meeting of the Corporation.
The increase last week was SII,OOO, and tho
business of the approaching season, after the
close of navigation, promises to be much greater
than ever before,”
Tuf. Army Difficulty. —The New Or
leans Delta of the 6th inst. contains an Editorial
giving what the Editors understand from' 1 good
authority” to be the true cause, ol the difficul
ty between Gens. Scott, Worth and Pillow,
from the conclusion of which we make the follow
ing extract:
“ The cause of Gen. Worth’s arrest was the
use of disrespectful and unofficer-like language,
in a letter written by him to the Commander-in
Chief. On the publication ot the order in regard
to letters written from the army, and the conse
quent arrest of Col. Duncan, Gen. Worth wrote
a letter to General Scott, inquiring, if he (Gen)
Worth) was referred to in these general orders.
General Scott replied that he would not respot and
to the inquiry. Thereupon Gen. Worth wrote
a letter, charging the Commander-in-Chief with
unofficer.like conduct, and requesting the charges
to be transmitted to the Secretary of War. For
sending this letter Gen. Worth was arrested
and will be tried by a court martial iu the city
of Mexico.
“ Gen. Pillow was arrested for appealing from
a decision of the General-in-Chief, and for send
ing on his appeal to the Secretary o 1 War, with
out the consent or knowh dge of General Scott.
To Makf. Fish Bitf..— ln a list for oth purpo
ses, the Newark Advertiser gives notice ot appli
cations to the Legislature of New Jersey for “ a
law to compel the fish in Rahway river to bite,
when unexceptionable bait is thrown them.
Playing cards are so much sought after m
Russia, that the Imperial Factory ofSt Pcleisburg
£rds sale for 14,400 packs which it product*
daily, 5,266,000 a year.