Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-21

rom the inevitable ruin that but yesterday SEEM
ID to threaten it. Probably all the readers OF
he Atlas have heard of Mr. Marshall, the gifted
member from Kentucky. A near relative of
he late Chief Justice Marshall, nephew, l
believe, and himself possessed Of mind OF al
most unsurpassed powers, and eloquence almost
winning beauty and rahos, ming
ling with occasional wit and pleasantly. of no
ordinary point and vigor in his ora,ory I; he was
every way qualified to make one Of the most
shining and brilliant lights in Congress, but for
whole of the richtreasures of intellect withwhch
nature had most literally endowed him, and
threatened soon to bring to dishoncrable close
a career, which otherwise would have been so
bright. That falling, once SO common, so almost
from men of genius and splendid in
tclec, but most happily no longer SO, DISPOSE
ton too yielding to the fatal fascination Of the
maddening bowl, was sapping with fearful ra-
pidi'y both his powers of mind and of body.
This failing, the unsparing and slanderous
pens Of political enemies and hlreling defamers,
had already more than whispered about. They
had, in many instances, msrepresented and
exaggerated to a shameful degree, the extent
of MIR Marshall's excuses. In his recent speech
on the tariff, he himself referred to the relentless
luminosity with which he was pursued, and in a
very touching and affecting manner, remonstra-
ted against the cruel Injustice that had been
done him. Fer himself he cared not. lie was
too hardened to fear thti' Stat Is, envenomed as
they were But when he saw their arrows qui.
verlng in the bosom of his poor old mother and
Of his sister, il was more than lie could bear
unmoved.
Poor Marshall there was not ore who heard
him, while yet they could not help seeing too,
that it was in great part his own fault that it
was so. How few there were Of those howev-
er, who imagined that within a few weeks,
that man was destined toundergo an entire
change. Yet go it is. The attacks and ISLANDERS
Of the Locofoco letter writers, although written
in malice, have had the good effect Of awakening
him to the degradation and wretchedness to
which he was fast hurrying. Yesterday he
was induced to ponder upon his condition, and
his prospects, and he formed the determination
10 give up at once and entirely the fatal indul.
gence. so fast sappins his constitution and in
telcct.
lie applied to Mr. George N. Briggs, the
member from the Berkshire district in cur owr
State who has Interested himself in the cause
of temperance to very great extent, for nilor.
nation as to the best manner in which he should
join the Washingtonians. lie wished to sign
the total abstinence pledge on the spot. Mr. b
MIR NJ signed upon The spot in the hall of the
House OF Representatives. The moment his
signature was affixed, Mr. NJ. exclaimed, | an
now happy man. load is removed from my
heart. And it was very evident that he spoke
the truth. Last evening he attended, with MI
Briggs, temperance meeting, and came for.
ward and signed the pledge sublicly. Whef
his name was annexed, it was greeted will
marks OF appreciation, mingled with not a little
surprise.
He afterwards favored the meeting with one
of the most beautiful and touching addresses
ever listened to Oh the subject
For his own sake, and for the sake of tn,
country to which he is destined TO be so brgh
an ornament, if he continues in his present res
olution, it is TO be most earnestly hoped tina
Mr. Marshall may have the fortitude to adhere
10 his present determination. r. NJ. b.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10
| A crowded asscmbladge ,hronged the gal
eries of the Senate at an early hour to-day, ex
pcctug to hear Mr. Gays anXlousy looked 10
speech on the propo. ed amendments OF the Con
stltuton. But. as might readily have bee
| ioretold, they we're disappointed Although tn
| subject, referred to was made the special orde
for this day, the discussion of the Excheque
project not beng finished, il will not be take
up until that matter, on the question Of refel
ence is disposed OF.
Daring the morning hour Mr.. Calhoun pre-
scented some petitions for The repeal OF the Banl
rupt Law, aud took advantage of the occasiu
10 make violent assault Oh that admirable STA
ute. lie was answered by Mr.. Berren, VIII
made an excellent speech, the argument {
which, in defence of the law, has hardly bee
surpassed hy any who have spoken on this in
portant subject Ii is admitted by all that he Ell
tirey demolished The tllmsy fabric Of sophis,l
erected by his adversary, and placed the in
portance OF the Bankrupt Act in new al
, most advantageous light.
| Mr.. Merrick spoke on the Eychequer probe
to-day, and expressed himself in favor of ado
ting the measure under proper RESTRICTIONS
Similar sentiments were yesterday avowed
Mr.. Walker, of Mss ssippi, who in addition u
, cred a violen. nyective against banking i
sli,utlons-
! A very weak and foolish speech was ma,
yesterday in the House by one Ezra Dean,
obscure member from Ohio. To-day, durir
y the discussion Of the Treasury Noe Bill,
e Committee Of the whole, Mr.. Arnold of lie
n nessee, replied in strain OF sarcasm and h
e mour, which kept the House in tumult
+ merrlnent, and caused the member from OIL
g to sit very uneasy in his chair.
nc late VI lne DtnhTupt DiIi III inc CcH''
+ is still very uncertain. The probability is II
n the Legislature OF Kentucky will instruct Il
II Senators to vote for the repeal. In that ca
h Mr. Clay will not yield, but his colleague "
h undoubtedly obey The instructions. One W
n in favor OF the Bill will thus be lost. At the i
!, session Of Congress it was carried in the Sc
- - ate by a majority of only three. New fc
" must not relax her exertIons on this subject
The reception of the petitions already 81
s. from your city in favor of the law, has exerte
l. beneficial influence by showing that You ;
IL stll alive to its necessity. Let these pc ltions
N sent in constantly, and s gned by all IN favor
in the aw.-N Y. Cour. and Enquirer.
m Correspondence Of the Atlas.
rs WASHINGTON, Jan. Is. lSi.
vn In the House Of Representatives yesterday,
la whole time occupied ON the cons Iteration Of
m bill for the issue OF treasury notes.
W. Mr.. Fillmore submitted a resolution to take
bill out of Committee today, and made motion
suspend the rules for that purpose. This mot
however, did not succeed as IL required a vote
two thirds of the lioase in its favor. 1t stood A
ir 49, Noes 6,.
,'' lie then moved that the House go into commit
~. The yeas and nays having been demanded, II