The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-28 00:00:00

elected a senator, from kentucky, in the p
`Mr. Crittenden, will be found to be a strong man.
The following extract from a Pittsburg journal
A letter from New York, dated Dec, 13, says :
explains the present legal position of the Pittsburg
Congress has been in session more than a week with- Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad, of which the
out any choice of a Speaker. The house has been bondholders made a badly managed attempt to get
entirely occupied, during the hours of public
.ses- the exclusive possession, through the action of ee
ion with the discussion of the slavery question.
s , Federal Courts :
During the recess each party has been trying to "On Tuesday of this week Messrs. Moran and
devise means to attract to itself the outside support Von Hoffman, of New York, representing coatain
ons holding bonds issued by the Ohio and 'enn-
necessagy to secure a majority for its candidate for p
a Railroad Company, made application to the
Speaker. There are five distinct parties in the
United States' District Court for the Norther] Dis•
Svele'eeni
house—the Republicans, who only need six votes
tact of Ohio for an injunction and receiver for the
to give them a majority ; the Democrats•, the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad. On
this ex pane application the Court on Wednesday.
Southern Know-nothings, whose sympathies are
anti-Democratic, and who consequently sympathise granted the injunction and named Mr. J. K. Ed-
gert on, of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the vie e-p resi-
with the Republicans ; the Northern Know-
dent of the company receiver. As these proceedings
nothings, who sympathise with the democracy ;
were without notice to the company, and of course
and the Anti•Lecompton Democrats, whose gene-
no counsel was present to represent them, tie Court
ral sympathies are with the democracy, but whose
made a preliminary decree, with leave upon the part
of the company to move for the vacation of the
feelings and views on the slave question are with
the Republicans. Out of all this mass the Repub- present receiver and the modification of the decree,
licans have to gain but six votes to secure the the whole proceedings being without prejudice to
the rights of the company. Domestic creditors
Spenkership ;the Democrats, on the contrary, have
here, having judgments against the company, hear-
to gain over 30. Not only are the numerical chances
ing of the above proceedings. and being apprehen-
sive that their rights might be sacrificed, yesterday
with the Republicans, but so, also, I suspect are the
political combinations. Unless there should be applied to the District Court for a sequestrator.
some speedy change in the count, the election of The
' RV!ication was made by Messrs. Park, M'Curdy
and Co., and others, and granted by the Court, ap-
a Republican Speaker is quite probable before the
pointing Mr. T. Haskins Du Puy sequestrator. This
next packet leaves. The slavery question and prompt movement on the part of Park, M'Curdy and
the John Brown affair have been warmly discussed Co., and others will prevent the bondholders seizing
in Congress. Members have thus had a chance to upon the road, to their prejudice and to the preju-
ventilate themselves, and as soon as the voting in diee of ttes' District Court in Ohhis city. If the receiver apo
ointed b
should uny
der-
the
earnest begins they will probably proceed to the U dSt
tan 'tkleeto obtaina possession of the road in this State
work, and elect a Republican without any further
we presume our State Courts would resist to the
noise or difficulty. The debate, however, has not last extent of their authority. We understand that
been without decided and important preliminary re- the officers of the company here, not being advised
sults. It began with the Republicans cowed, not- of the disposition of the earnings of the road by the
withstandingtheirnumbers. Theygatheredstrength decree. of the Ohio Couirt, did not fee
ditors, al warranted in
they might
as it went on, and now they may be said to have re- thereby do great injustice."
osine the domestic cres
gained all the position which they lost, and I believe opposing
This line unfortunately runs through several States,
that they have the choice of Speaker in their own
the Courts in which do not seem disposed to pay the
hands. It may be delayed a few days, but in the
same regard to the Courts of their neighbours that
end it will probably take place. The Democratic
was paid in the case of the Erie receivership.
policy is delay, in the hope either of gaining the
The affairs of the Chicago, Alton, and St. Louis
South Americans, or of forcing the Anti-Lecomp- Railroad are in a fair way of adjustment: Mr.
ton Democrats to an open alliance with the Repub-
James Robb (formerly of New Orleans) and Mr.
licans. The debate has been, on the whole, more
Charles Congdor, of New York, have been appointed
raod rate in its tone than might have been expected.
by the Federal Court receivers, under an agree-
The Republicans have generally kept quiet. The
ment with the bondholders, by which certain claims
Democrats alsohave left their talking to the second-
are recognised as entitled to immediate payment
rate men. The time of the House has been mainly
out of the earnings ; and there is now every reason
taken up by the middle men in defining their posi-
tion. The debate had risen to the level of a general to hope that the earnings may soon be made appli-
cable to the bonds, unless the hostility of some
interest but one day—Saturday last—and the New
leading New York creditors, who have up to this
York journals have repaid the speakers by giving
time succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the mort-
them a leader. Mr. Clark, of New York—an anti-
gage creditors, shall continue to prevail. I can
Lecompton Democrat, whose words carry weight,
scarcely think that such will be the case.
as well from the personal character and social stand-
There has been a brisk discussion about Erie
ing of the gentleman himself as from the constitu-
affairs within the week. The second mortgage
ency which he represents—on that day seceded
trustees, notwithstanding thg expression of a wish
openly from the Democratic organisation, and de-
by the majority of the bondholders that no suit
Glared that he would not act with "those who, in
should be begun, have commenced proceedings to
the event of certain men being elected President,
foreclose that mortgage. had they remained quiet
however obnoxious they might be, without waiting
the mortgage would undoubtedly have been paid off
for some overt act or violation of constitutional right,
by the company. Their action, however, may
would deem it a sufficient ground for a dissolution
render it necessary to make the payment through
of the Union." Mr. Smith, of Yirginia; assumed to
them. I cannot see that it will make any other
speak for the democracy. He argued that "there
difference. At any rate, it results that it is abso-
was an absolute necessity that the South should
lately necessary to make immediate provision for
present itself as a unit, not as a means of preserving
their payment. There is a scheme maturing in the
the Union, but as a means of preserving itself."
street, which will probably soon be brought before
The leading speech on that side of the question was
the board of directors, to authorise the opening of
made by Mr. Curry, of Alabama. He argued that
a subscription by holders of Erie stock and sccu-
the real cause of the agitation was because it was
rities, to pay off that debt. The whole debt is
held at the North " that property in man is a crime,
4,000,000 dols. The proposition will be to take
that the African is the equal of the white man, that
third mortgage bonds at SO to that amount, and
he is a citizen of the United States, and that he is
the balance in fourth mortgage bonds at par. If
entitled to the privileges and immunities of other
carried out, this frees the company of all debts
citizens." There are great differences between the
except the fourth mortgage bonds and the 75 bonds,
different classes of persons at the North holding
and the interest in arrear, and reduces the directors'
these opinions. Entire Abolitionists justify vie-
plan to a provision for these liabilities. The work
lence in severing the relations between the master
upon the Long Dock Tunnel is steadily progress-
and the slave, but the Republican party proper is ing. The means provided by the contract with
not responsible for such excesses. But whether
Mr. Stevens will, it is estimated, enable the com-
resisting slavery by violence, or moderately and
piny to complete the tunnel by the Ist of April.
constitutionally, persons holding such opinions are
1,000,000 dollars judiciously spent between now
equally hostile to the South. "If slavery be a
and then upon the piers and sheds and in the pre-
crime against God: and against humanity—if it be a
paration of a road bed and track to either end of
curse of society—if it contains the fruitful source of
the tunnel will, in that case, enable the receiver
irremediable woes, it is as vain to talk of moderation, by the 15th :of April to run his cars to the end of
and the constitution, and non-interference with the
the pier, and bring his freight, as well as Paxson
rights of the South, as it would be to propel a skiff
gore, directly to tide-water, opposite to the city o.
up the surging cataract of Niagara." The practical
New York.
result which the orator drew from this philosophic
reasoning was announced amid cheers from the De-
mocratic benches. "If the North elected Mr. Se-
ward, or Mr. Chase, or any other member of the
Repeblican party on a sectional platform, such an
election was to be resisted, to the destruction of
every tie which binds together the great confede-
racy." Such sort of speeches have, however, da-
maged the Democratic party. The third party men
are beginning to question whether gentlemen who
say that they will not submit to the results of a
pcpular election, but will go out of the Union if
their candidates are not elected, are either very good
Democrats or very good Union men. The friends of
the Union are holding large meetings in the princi-
pal towns, to assure the South of their detestation
of the murderous attempt of Brown. Mr. Everett
addresses the solid men of Boston, and Mr. Inger-
soll talks for Philadelphia. New York is also to
have a larger meeting than either town. But such
speeches damage the friendly movements of the
Northern merchants greatly. The counter-feeling
which it excites is dangerous and projuslicial.
Where, they ask, is the benefit of Republican insti-
tutions, if the minority will not submit to the ma-
jority ? Where the freedom of the North if they
must vote only in obedience to the South ? Ques-
tions like this, adroitly put, and persistently urged,
inflame the public mind, and drive it faster and
more obstinately forward in the directions which it
is quite ready to take without the help of such
stimulants.
The discussion yesterday took a more personal
form. Mr. Hickman, of Pennsylvania, and Mr.
Haskin, of New York, anti-Lecompton Democrats,
each spent an hour in defending his course in op-
pasing the Administration.• Some parts of Mr.
Hickman's speech were spicy. I give a short ex-
tract to show you the temper with which this dis-
cussion is conducted :
" Coming to the subject of dissolution, if dissolu-
tion means the dividing line of sentiment between
the North and South, and virtual non-intercourse,
why, we have reached that dissolution, for Northern
men cannot now travel in the South, and, as I un-
derstand it, any postmaster in any village of the
South, where the receipts of the office would not
amount to five dollars, can, It ZL lours Lciralus
frank goes into his hands, open it, examine it, and
burn it. We have reached that dividing line be-
tween the North and the South, But if dissolution
means that there is to be division of territory by
mason and Dixon's line, or by any other line, I say
No.' I express my conviction—whether false or true
the country can judge—that when I say ' No' the
ITorth will never tolerate a division of the territory.
(sensation and applause from the Republican
belches.)
Mr. Gartrell (Democrat), of Georgia, rising
anhl great sensation—l should like to know how
YoLare to prevent it.
“Ar. Hickman—l will tell you. lam neither a
Pro Pet nor the son of a prophet, but I express my
"nvltion that there is as much true courage in the
Nortf.
though it may not be known by the name of
chi val —(sensation)—as in the South. I do not
use th(Word contemptuously, for I admire chivalry
everywtere. There is, I say again, as nva'ch true
courage at the North as there is at the South. I
always 3clieved it, and I will therefore expiTss. it ;
and I believe that, with all the
oindustry,appliances of art to
assist, 15,000,000 men reared t
habits )f the right kind, will always be ablei with
habits
suceessklly with 8,000,000 men without these auxi-
liaries. (Sensation and applause and some hisses.)"
With all the talk and bluster about disunion, the
movements of the party managers on neither side
look as if the thought of it were entertained for a
moment. The Democratic party was never more
busy than now in rnanceuvres for a candidate. Mr.
Lane, a senator from Oregon, familiariy known as
Joe Lane, has; just now the inside track. He was
originally a wood chopper, then became a fiat boat-
man, then a hero at the battle of Buenovista, then
the founder of a State on the Pacific. The popu-
larity acquired from such a life is supposed to be
greater with the masses than the more solid reputa-
tion of statesmen . Mr. Cobb, the present Secretary
of the Treasury also has many friends ; and I sus-,
pect that when the day of nomination comes it will
ha found that 7Ar. Breckenridge, who has just been

Lace of

TILE UNITED STATES.

THE AUSTRIANS IN HUNGARY.

The following letter, dated Pesth, December 18,
says :—" The agitation caused by the savage at-
tack of the Austrian police and soldiery on a
peaceable crowd the other day is far from having
subsided; but it has not given rise to any new de-
monstration on the part of the people. It had
been expected that the Austrian authorities would
liave followed up their outrage by adopting mea-
sures of rigourngainst the population ; but the only
thing they have done thus far is to stick up a pla-
card in the University, warning the students that
'if they take part in any popular demonstration
they will be punished with all the rigour the
University regulations allow. Nay, more, the
authorities have actually set at liberty the
persons they arrested in the recent affair.
From these facts it would appear that they are
At Pesth also the Government has contrived,
partly by prayers, and partly also by threats, lo
cause a number of " men of confidence" to meet, as
it is said, to " take into consideration" the aforesaid
law. But they have shown a spirit which must,
One would think, fill it with despair. Two mortal
days have passed in discussing, not the law, but the
question wk then or not they had any legal right
to discuss it. Almost everybody was of opinion
that they had no such right, but, by way of com-
promise, the meeting consented to collect materials
far a communal law to be submitted to the Diet
hereafter—the Diet alone having the declared right
of passing laws.
too much afraid of the people to attempt to adopt
a regime of terror.
The Austrian authorities, in obedience to orders
from Vienna, are moving heaven and earth to in-
duce men of wealth and station to act as " men of
confidence" in the examination of the famous com-
munal law, but they meet with the most humiliat-
ing rebuffs. At Presburg, after supplications in-
numerable from the authorities, a certain number of
noblemen and gentlemen consented three days ago
to meet, but, like the recent meeting in Transyl-
vania, they, instead of deliberating on the projected
law, passed a resolution declaring that the Govern-
ment had no right to impose laws on the people,
and that the Diet alone could pass a law. Among
the noblemen who took this resolution were Count
Konigsegg and Count Miggazi, two influential per-
sonages,.ll. Edel and M. Stanzelets, eminent mer-
chants, and M. Kampfuller, the burgomaster. The
manifestation is the more important, from the fact
that these, and most of the other persons who took
part in it, are acreages. and also from the fact that
Presburg being, within a few
mike of Vienna, is
more under the influence of the Viennese Govern-
ment than any other town in Hungary.
The Viennese journals publish erroneous statis-
tics as to the manner in which the Protestants have
pronounced on the Imperial patent. I have before
me official returns, the correctness of which cannot
bo questioned, and which are made up to the 16th,
the latest date, which show that 2,883,468 have,
either personally or through their representatives,
declaled against the patent, only 122,989 for it,
and that 42,083 have not yet given their decision.
The majority against is, it will be seen, perfectly
overwhelming ; and the minority for has only
been obtained by the exercise of direct intimida-
tion in out-of-the-way places. As a specimen of the
intimidation employed, I may mention that a cer-
tain M. Torkos, Austrian Prefect of the county of
Bekas, issued a circular to sundry Protestant cler-
gymen, who, he had learnt, contemplated going to
Pesth to assist in opposing the patent, threatening
them with the wrath of the Government if they
realised their intention— and even menacing them
with arrest the moment they should set foot in the
capital.

Although the preceding figures prove clearly
the intimidation of the Government has produced
little effect, it may be mentioned that such indig-
nation has been excited by that intimidation that
several Protestant clergyinen have denounced it
from the pulpit. Two, the Rev. Mr. Hodsza, of
some place in the ct-iunty of Lipto, and the Rev. Mr
Szibcrenyi, of the town of Chemaitz, have actually
menaced with excommunication all the lukewarm
Protestants who shall manifest such fear of the
Austrian Government as to accept its patent.

A FAIR ISLE TRAGEDY.—A rumour' has been
circulated through the islands during the last week that
Mr. Cheyne, schoolmaster in Fair Isle, has been thrown by
some of his scholars over a precipiece and killed, or nearly
so. How far this is correct it is difficult to say ; there is
probably, however, some foundation for the story ; but
until the weather gets more moderate, so that a boat can
reach the isle, the mystery will not be cleared up.—John-o'-
Ova Journal.