The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-08
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
PunApElrnuA, May 6, 1916.

PHILApELpHIA, May 6, ls45.
! There is little news here The business season
is nearly over, and in few weeks all classes ofcit
zens, who can afford the luxury, will HE to the
green and healthy country, or TO the enjoyment Of
| the refreshing breezes of old The business
man will require relaxation after the late extraordi-
nary and unprecedented business season! Not the
least gratifying of the many results Of the late polit-
cal contest, is the explosion of the wing prediction
that ruin would follow the election of Col. Polk.
Even our most prominent Clay merchants here have
/ been obliged to confess themselves disappointed in
their expectations of such result. They have had
no time to croak. They have been so busy wear
ing smiles upon their faces for the sake Of their
toners, that they have quite forgotten the frowns
that settled upon their brows after the presidential
election. The rush Of business---the daily and
nightly application---all this has seemed 10 the
merchant like dream than any thing else; and
he is only convinced of its reality by increased
turns from his labor and his capita by the prosra-
ton fhs physical powers and by the necessity of
repose after close and aborious attention to his
4 business duties. Ii was most cheering spectacle,
the hustle, day and night prevailing in all the great
thoroughfares of this city. have been assured by
intelligent merchants, that the sales of the
now closing have never been eqdalled heretofore,
and that the purchasers have come better provided
with money than has been the case in many years
II is fact well-estabshed, that the number OF ves
sells arriving this port since January last has been
is not only gratifying TO all lovers of their country
but II must be Of high pride and pleasure to
4 all those who contributed to the elevation of the
present young President of the United States
/ The most popular argument used just now
against sustaining the rights Of the country at all
hazards, is that which predicts the destruction of
Atlantic Cities as one Of the first results Of war
with England Those who this argument do
deny that fever the foe should attempt inva-
sion if ever they dared to stand upon American SOIL
la cd hxyt nfo
people; but they mourn lest Philadelphia and New
| York should first be greatly injured by a descent
of fleet of British steam vessels. A very intelli-
gent genteman--a man of much experience in these
matters, Col, Jno HI. Sherburne, of this city--has
devoted his attention to this subject, and originated
a plan of harbor defence which, am assured, has
met with high favor among officers Of the navy, and
others most competent TO decide upon its merits.
| He laughs at the idea of foreign steamers taking
possession of inuring Philadelphia as feared by
those who apprehend great losses in the first month
4 or two of war. He says, in a note TO me, "to
1 prevent an enemy from coming mp the Delaware,
4 would place, at the entrance of the breakwaters
ship OF the line, and the ce-breakeu where
they could ride in smooth WATER and, on the enemy
approaching could, Gas they would be under steam
power,) run into the channel and take their places
i in a raking position. The next important point
/ to prevent an enemy's progress would he from
| Bombay Hook to Reedy lsland--a distance Of six
| teen miles from Philadelphia; two frigates to be-
placed in this vicinity, on the plan above proposed,
i would be able to do great execution. The next
| place would be the Pea Patch Island, off New Cas-
/ tie. There, the enemy would be compelled to run
into the channel on the Jersey side, and
i to receive every shot from the Shore Should the
Pea Patch be fortified, however, that alone could
| keep of any force the enemy would have to
approach head on, and receive rakng shots, well
/ in advancing as in running by Two email ships
say sloops-of-war-could also be placed there UNI
der steam power to assist the FORT" &C., &c. The
occasion would not see us passively submitting to
1 the strong arm of our foes. The crisis would unite
in every mind, new expedicnts. Every projecting
rock, looking into the channels near our Atlantic
cities, would be converted into fort and the valor
which, for long time, repulsed an enemy's
j fleet from the Chesapeake with only single
| gun, would be most potent means of defence,
and would, at least, show to foreign friends that
4 we well appointed TO receive them if they
had been formally and deliberately invited by years
of preparation, and the expenditure of millions Of
| money, and at least anxious to show them our
4 spirit as were thirty-thrce years ago II may
be urged that since then, the means of war, and tho
i instruments Of death, have increased in wonderful
degree; but il is not to be supposed that these faci
ties have been secured only Great Britain, or that
they have been denied to those who will be called
upon merely to repel foreign foe at first, and, fail
ing in that to meet him among their own hills, and
in the midst of places whose very familiarity will
be adding nearly one-ha to the successful inventions
1 of the art of war.
/ Our appointments were announced here to-day.
They are received with great satisfaction, by the
democracy generally. The best proof of the
healthy condition of the party is the manner in
which these appointments have been greeted You
hear little said by the disappointed applicants or
their friends. The high character and the numer-
Gus public services Of the gentlemen selected, are in
themselves, apparent that even our wing fellow
citizens cannot deny to them the merit Of beng
i most fortunate appointments. Mr.. Horn, the new
| collector is an old and incorporating democrat,
and an honest upright man. preferred another gen.
teman; but am satisfied that he will make fear
| less as well an upright officer DR.. Lehman, the
| new postmaster, is also gentleman Of unbemished
character, and consistent, straightforward demo-
crat, Henry Welsh, esq., the naval officer, is now
| a citizen of York county, and was in old times, the
editor Of the Harrisburg Reporter. He is also un.
i exceptionable and competent. The new district
attorney, Hon. Thomas M. Petit, was one of the
1 late Judges Of our district court and has always
| occupied position Of the most enyiabe character
i in this community. 1.-THE President is equally sue
cessful in regard to all his appointments his ad-
rnnistration cannot fail to be one of the most har-
4 monious and efficient character
4 To-day--beng the anniversary of the Southwark
/ riots-the Native American papers are hung IN
black - in token of respect to those who fell on that
memorable and melancholy occasion grand eel
ebration was also to commemorate the virtues Oh
the departed. These are after all, the mere efforts
of the demagogues to keep alive the dying enhusl-
J asm of the rank and file BY abiding to the bloody
scenes and the turbulence and riot That last year us
graced this fair and beautiful city, they nope 70
excite anew the unfortunate prejudices OF thelr io
lowers. and thus secure for themselves longer
lease upon the offices Of the people much mis-
take the intelligence and the good sense OF the mass
of what once was the Native American .party,,n
these disgusting appeals do not so sicken the pubic
r mind. as to cause such a revusion of sentiment as
will sweep these miserable political empires back
into their original obscurity. ] shall endeavor IN
future number of these hurried letters, to give
candid opinion as to the chances in regard 10 tne
success OF the democratic. party OF tins Guy anu
: county at the October elections
The Indictment against Mr.. Dunn, brother oil
!. the reverend gentleman Of that name for placing
arms in the church Of st. Philip Neri last July, was
ouashed on yesterday in the supreme court, on mo-
!, ton Of Mr. Kane, our attorney general The oPin.
ion of Judge Rogers, in sustaining the motion o. u,'
officer of the law, was bold and important one
He said that the Indictment charged no crime ana