The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-10
First Party Debate In Congress-Rec"s"nt
states.

The first real party debate has commenced IN
Congress, and presents thus far some singular TEA
lures, which are indications OF what we may ex-
pect during the remainder OF the session. II has
grown out of an attempt on the part OF the wing
party 10 express their opinions in relation 10 certain
States which have dsobeyed the recent law of
Congress, and elected their representatives on the
general system, instead of the district, as prescribed
II appears that Mr. Barnard, of New York, first
brought the matter up in the shape of protest. and
two or three days have been wasted in discussing
the admssibilty of the document on the second
instead of al once proceeding to the consideration
of the merits OF the question at issue itself
What particularly strikes us in this debate, COM
menced thus early in the session, is the extraordi
nary want of tact and Judgment exhibited by the
wings in this their first movement in the new Con-
gress. We think there can be no doubt in the
mind of any one who examines the constitution and
the contemporary opinions on those particular
clauses of it which have reference to this subject,
that the wing ground is the rational, sensible, and
really constitutional ground-that is, that Congress
under the constitution, has full power and authori
ty 10 prescribe the mode and manner in which
members of Congress are to be elected by the
different States, and that In their recent cleo
tons on the general ticket system, the States
of Georgia, New Hampshire, Missouri and
Mississippi have disobeyed the provisions of law
regularly and constitutionally enacted There can
be no question that those States have thus been
guilty of violation of the law and of the constr
tuition II is evident then, that the broad ground
the wings have the best side of the case. Yet
with that laundering system of tactics, and un-
der the leadership OF miserable, conceited, silly
pated politicians, with whom they are cursed, they
have at the very commencement of the session,
foolishly gone into debate mere techncalities,
instead of waiting for proper tme-having COM
mittee properly organized, and going into regular
and full discussion of the whole subject. AT the
very organization of the House some such an at
tempt was premeditated and failed, as all such
miserable and halfway attempts will fail The
representatives of the States who disregarded the
precise terms of the recent law, presented the only
authentic record they possessed of their election, and
We're entitled to take their seats until by solemn
decision ofthat Congress theirrght should be tested
and the question settled after full debate
In the early part of the session, therefore, it is
most astonishing to see the wings throw away all
the advantage of good position, drop their COM
mon sense, and starting on a wild goose chase,
commit their destinies to the leadership of men
who seem to have mere thimble-ful of brains,
not even 10 Hdli-ClNlllZeQ mon
key from the wilds of Africa. If this is to be
taken fair specimen of the wing tactics during
the session, heaven have mercy on gallant Harry
Clay and his cause. He. has been sacrificed by
these blockheads before, and they will sacrifice
him again before they have got through the half Of
the session.
On the other hand. look with what Skill and
promptitude, and decision, and wisdom worldly
wisdom-cent ner cent Wi sdntn-ss cnoils, u,isd
the democracy have managed their cause Going
to Washington, as was supposed by the whole
country, split into factions,
pulling this way and that way-crossing and re-
crossing each other at every point-and yet before
they are twenty-four hours the ground at Wash.
ngton, by the potent influence of good sense and
ordinary tact, they present solid united, unbro-
ken mass, going steadily as one man for their OBJ
ject!
Such are the views which have occurred to us
on an inspection of the proceedings of the first
week of the Congress The next week may
present something else very and very injurious
TO the wings still illustrative of their infatu-
ated policy and more prophetic of disaster TO
their prospects
POPULAR LEcrUREs.-These affairs, as we have
so often predicted, have gone the ''Tomb of all
the CapuIets." We do not know how it could have
been otherwise. Humbug may for season sue
coed, but sooner or later il is sent TO perditon
The amount oftrash-vanity-e OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
impudence, poured out on the community in the
shape Of these popular lectures has been meal
cuable. 1t was full time that an end should be put
TO the system And ii has this season been efiec
tually suppressed. The Mercantile Library mana
gers have been obliged to renquish the use of The
Tabernacle, and their own hall will soon be closed
also against the namby PANTY, trashy tribe of lee
turers.
Popular lectures as we have frequently repfe
scented, might be made most efficient and attrac
tive means of enightening, and insrucing, anc
amusing the people. But the individuals who hav,
,hrust themselves on the community in the shap,
of lecturers, have been generally altogether unite,
for the not very easy task. And, besides the choice
of subjects has been injudicious and unfortunate
Look, for instance at Mr. Greeley and his lecture
Fourrierlsm, or Nat. Willis and his discourse
on -" Ideal Dandyism;" of what earthly interest o
profit such things bel The best criticism w
have seen on Willis was that Of down east paper
which says g Nat write very well, but he can
preach" Willis and Greeley had better stick
their journals.
If individuals of a common order and degree
intellect, observation and experience, were to e
up and give in a lecture, a correct and methodlcf
account of their experiences in life, ii would prov
far more interesting and instructive than any
these: discourses could possibly be. If Nichola
Blddle for instance, were TO give his experience o
financial philosophy, it would be very profabl
work.. But we doubt whether he would do SC
John Duer, again, might have given great amour
of valuable matter on the subject, instead of hi
lectures on Marine Insurance Law
'FRONT.' POLICE DEsPATcH.--In the Court of Ses
slons on Thursday, the recognizances of Willial
Hlbbard, alias VIM. r. Hunt, charged with havin
committed two grand larcenies, were forfeited
the sum OF $500 for his non-appearance TO answe
for trial. Officers Stokelv and