The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-26

Washington,
Correspondence of the Herald

's@s-A WASHINGTON. Jan. "a, 1872
Nh. Clay and the C0nstltuti0n-B Bankrupt
BHl-Treasury Note Biil-New Point Of Or
der In the House.
| Mr.. Clay made his long promised speech to-day,
in support of his attack on the Constitution 1t had
| been announced with much flourish Of trumpets
and great effort was anticipated, but every body
seems to be disappointed. 1t was feeble and incon-
elusive as an argument, and although delivered in
his usual admirable and forcbe manner, produced
no great effect any Of his hearers. No man ever
made more injudcious movement, and few have
ever experienced more signal defeat, than this is
destined to receive. Notwithstanding all Mr. Cay's
protestatlons to the contrary, the people cannot be
convinced that this attempt to emasculate the Con-
sttuton, to cut off the power of the Executive, and
to deprive them of the protection afforded By the
veto against the passionate inconsiderate egisa-
ton of mere majority in Congress, had not it's
origin in pi1ue at the defeat of his scheme to force
a great bank on the country. The exercise of the
veto, power in itself emlnenly popular,
tive and tribunitan, to avert such a calamity, is
hardly calculated to induce the people to look with
favorable eye on attempt to subvert the Consiitu-
ton
The consideration of the resolutions is deferred
Tor week There will then bsa long debate, after
which they will probably be killed in the Senate,
and il will be long time before another man will
be found TO attempt to lay violent hands on the
Constitution.
The report OF the committee on the Bankrupt
Bill, is expected TO be disposed of in the Senate
morrow. The prevailing impression is, that the
bill will be rejected. Mr.. Bagbee of Alabama, who
is in favor of the repeal, and Messrs. Dixon and
Simmons, Of Rhode Island, who are opposed to it,
have been detained their rooms by indisposition
If they not able to be present when this bill is
acted on, the vote is expected TO stand q to %.
The Treasury note bill will probably come,up in the
house tomorrow. The bill may possibly be saved
ii the House refuse to concur in the amendment Of
the Senate, and committee of conference shall be
appointed. But If motion is made to lay the bill
on the table, II will, no doubt, prevail by majo-
riiy Of from fifteen to twenty-five. The democrats
cannot consistently go forit in its present shape
and many Ell the wings bound TO oppose it under
any circumstances. There now pressing, i'm.
minen demands upon the treasury, to the amount
of more than million and half of dollars without
a shilling TO meet them with. 1t the representa-
tves of the people permit the government to be dis
honored in squabble about question of mere
form, or from fabulous opposition to patriotic ad
minstratlon they must prepare themselves to breast
storm of popular Indignation, such as rarely has
been visited upon recussnt legislature.
The probability of a reunion If the wings, in
support of the administration, seems TO be daily in
creasing 1t is impossible to predict the precise pro-
portion of the party which will be embraced in the
arrangement, but it is expected to comprise enough
to constitute majority of the House, and probably
of the Senate also. The mode and manner in
which this result, desirable in every point of
view, and the consequences to result from it, must
be the subject OF future communication.
Amidst the confusion and uprosr of the House Of
Representatives on Saturday, several exciting Incl
dents occurred, some Of which are too good to be
lost. One, ga point of ORDER" made upon Mr.. Ar
mold, of Tennes see, by Gen. Dawson, of LOUISIANA,
has been the topic Of general conversation since it
took place In order TO make the reader to appreci
ale the anecdote, it is necessary to state that Mr. Ar
mold is stout burly man, who has been in all sons
ofbraws and fights in Tennessee, and acquired such
recklessness and daring, that his friends supposed
he would eat up an ordinary antagonist without
making wry face or staying his appetite. Gen.
Dawson Is tall and thin, but muscular, and one OF
the most graceful and gentlemenly men in Congress
No man Is uniformly more courteous, better bred
or more obseIvau of the rules of the House.
MIR. Rayner, from North Carolina, was calling
MrtAdams to order in the midst of his scaAdalous
vllliflcatlons OF the South, when Mr.. Arnold rose.
and in the most insulting tone towards Mr. r. cried
out,
"Order order! take your seat! command Won
to take your atr'
General Dawson then advanced across the hall
and taking seat close to Arnold addressed him in
tone as mild and polite if he had been address
ing lady or dame.
Sir, YOU are a coward-a clustering fellow. ,ba,
makes great noise, but without particle of COIL
rage"
Mr. Arnold asked him if he had tax en- that seat
In order to insult and quarrel with him {,
General Dawson replied
Yes, SIR have come here expressly to insult,
and provoke you to a fight, if possible but don
believe there is any fight in you.''
General Dewson, who is one of the bravest of
men. was all this time perfectly cool, and apparent,
under no excitement whatever. The conversation
was held in rather an under tone, in the presence
and hearing Of several members, amongst whom
wore Mr.Botls and Mr.. Stanley. Mr.. Arnold made
no answer, and showed no resen tment but ouietlv
put the insult into his posket ike good Christian
This version of the circumstance is the one in
eneral circulation /; but it is understood that Mr.
Arnold and his friends declare il TO BE- incorrec, -
some of the particulars.
TwENTY-sEvENTH CONGRESS-
Second Session.
Sonata