The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-02-19
Congress.

As The END OF Tie sesslon VI hS fa"9ehs cutiVuo
Congress approaches, the proceedings begin TO
assume a new degree of interest. And not only
the proceedings of Congress-, but the contemplated
movements of the President, in reference 10 ap-
pointments vetoes, measures, policy and politics,
all OF which are uncertain as the wind.
The singular bankrupt aw--the new post Office
tax on literature and knowiedge-the occupation OF
the Oregon-the reduction of salaries in the civil,
military and naval service-the tariff aws--the tax
on tea and cohee-the finances of the government
the reduction Of the N. York Custom House besides
various other public and private measures, are all
unsettled and open for discussion.
Some OF these measures are good-some bad
come indifierent--and some utterly sbominable.
A modification Of the bankrupt law, to include cor
poraions and TO prevent rascality, would be good
| measure. So is retrenchment in every shape. One
Of the worst bills is the post office law This is
nothing es than an attempt TO lnflict direct tax
on the circulation Of literature and knowledge
through the republic, of the most infamous and afro
cious character. among free people. The manu-
features Of ruin, brandy, and spurious liquors,
absolutely protected by the laws Of Congress-but
literature and knowledge are to be put under the
ban. This is legislative wisdom, too!
Every days proceedings of Congress will now be
interesting because it is doubtful what they will do.
The movements of the Executive will even be more
interesting. for after he makes his movements, we
can hardly tell what they are
The NAVAL COURT MARrIAL.-The proceedings
IN the case Of Captain Mckenzie, are eminently
worthy Of public attention, and it is be hoped that
our readers will not be prevented from carefully Pc
rusing the report of them, from the unfounded ap-
ahac
was developed before the Court of Enquiry. No
thoughtful reader of the evidence elected in the
cross-examination Of the witnesses, can fail, we
think, to be struck with the able and impartial man
ner in which the talented Judge Advocate is dis
charging his responsible duties With the most
pains-taing assiduity he is endeavoring to elicit the
whole trath, and his unfiinching devotion to this
task is eqialled by his fairness and nice sense OF
what is Justly due to all parties concerned in this
most melancholy afair-to the character of the
dead-the rights and feelings Of mourning relatives
and the conduct and reputation of the individual
on trial
The testimony OF Messrs Gansevoort and Perry,
when under cross-examination, has exhibited in
great and glazing characters, the panic struck preci-
ptancy-the bewildering alarm-the binding suspi
cion-which tortured the most trivial circumstances
might most naturally have explained,) into" con.
firmatlon strong proof of holy writ, of thorough
ly organized and threatening raplne and blood; and
which. alas doomed to sudden death, three men,
without the semblance of tIial-without a single
form Of legal authorty-wi;hout hour, scarcey,to
breathe PRAYER for themselves, or the absent one
dearer even than themselves-wihout being allow
ed for single moment to meet their accusers face
to face or to make an explanation, utter one pro-
test against the harsh decree which hurried them
into eternity.
Thi. almost incredible fact, that the prisoners
were not permitted to be present at the council Of
officers, and enabled TO confront their aecusers
and judges, appears to to cast shade Of deepest
gloom over the whole dark transaction. It.boribly
offends our feelings as treemen, and awakens the
keenest sympathy for the despsed and helpless VIC
Tins. Contrast the conduc. of the Christian and
pious Mckenzie, nurtured in The lap Of republican
liberty and enlightenment, with that Of the heather
Agrppa, and despot king iof dark age, when Paul
was arraigned before his tribunal "Pall," said
the noble Pagan, "thou art permitted to speak for
myself" But no such accents of justice who is
always mercul when really ust-fell on the eare of
the young, thoughtless, and erring Spencer, or his
hapless associates in death. They layin manacles
the open deck, not one kindly brothers. voice to
cheer, not plying eye to tell of human sympa-
thy, whilst that solemn farce went on, and their
tate was sealed. Captain McKenzie's heart must
be hard the neither milst one if it has not long
since risen up in judgment against him
1t is very Difficult. to avoid the conclusion that
Mr. Spencer, if even guilty of the most aggravated
crime, had fallen into the hands judges altogether
untitled TO investigate the nature and extent of his
of fbotr op matte. md
ty which are absolutely necessary in the formation
OF correct opinion. in any case submitted to mems
investigation To be tried and judged by officers
who labored under the effects of terror and alarm,
was bad enough for poor Spencer; but to be tried
and Judged by officers, who, as Mr. Perry has
sworn, were, at the commencement Of the cruise,
cautioned against forming any intimacy 10Th
him." and tried, and judged too, without his being
present, aware Of the precise nature Of the charges
against him, or the names or testimony Of the wit
nesses, is indeed shocking to our every sense of
justice. What! can thio be called trial? or is it
not an impIous mockery Of justice And the pri-
soners all the time under the mpre sson that they
were to be taken to the United States, and remain
ing undeceived till tAe last hour!
But we have not space to analyze and COM
ment on all this startling evidence 1t mat,enlit.
tie what the result of the trial will be. The YER
dict has already been pronounced, 1t only remains
| to point out and reflect upon the solemn lessons
which this tragedy have SO painfully taught. May
they sink deep into the minde of alli
| SCOTTISH SoNG.-Mr Clirehugh, 30 highly es-
teemed among us as private vocalist has been
prevailed upon by many of his friends and members
of the ST. Andrew Society, Of New York, TO give
series OF entertainments in Scottish song. There are
few who have mixed much among the elite Of this
city who have not listened with admiration to the
| spirit-srring melody of his voice. To give add.
onal brilliancy to these entertainments, Mr. G. in
tends to introduce two new stars in Scottish song
we allude to the Misses Cumming, just arrived
| amongst us. These young ladies have won the adj
of all who have heaxd thexa In their