The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-11
Things at Washington.
From the correspondent ofthe Atlas.

WASHINGTON, April l, 1876.
Four months ago this session of Congress
opened, with almost unprecedented MAORI
ties in both Houses. Locofocoism was pre-
dominant in every department ofthe Govern
ment. The President had only to deal can
didly with his party, and to recommend his
measures firmly and fairly in order to secure
their support and adoption Not many weeks
had elapsed before il became evident that he
was playing for reelection. He deceived
those who most trusted i'll him; and the con-
sequence was, all irreconciliable division up
on all the public policy of his party, as was
reasonably to be expected, from the discord-
ant elements which framed its homogeneous
and il-assorted proclamation from Baltimore.
Finding that an artificial fever had been ex-
cited i'll the West, upon Oregon, he first at
tempted that card, in order to lead the cry
Subsequently, discovering that the intelli-
gence honor and wisdom of the country re-
VOTED from such uluaism, he tried TO recede,
by practising movements behind the screen,
for surrendering the tariff. All the while,
however,he was daily pledging himselrto the
leaders of6oM factions. While, in secret he
was conniving against each, and playing for
himself aloneeaving the country to tax ecare
of itself, amidst the distractions ofparty,a and
the threatenings of war. ..
He has gone on, until he has forfeited the
confidence ofhis political associates,and sac
rificed the respect of his opponents; and
strange to tell, leaving out the unrewarded of
fice-seekers, there are not five Polk men in
both branches ofCongress, MIR Haywood, of
North Carolina,s standing, SOLITARY and alone"
in the Senate, where he is destined to remain,
however, only as long as power continues
where it is. Such is one effect of electing
"smallmen TO large Offices" as the Rip Van
Wrinkle oracle would say--such is the result
of elevating humanity above its level, like a
weak head upon aprecipice,it falters and falls.
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1876.
The proceedings of the last two days, in
the Senate, have done much torectify opinion
here, and will do more to correct 1t through
the country, when the arguments have been
fully canvassed by the people. The false
premises taken by the war faction have been
utterly demolished by the ablest man of the
Loco Foco party-and the real purposes OF
the sschemers, who Matched this element of
excitement to promote the prospects of Gen.
Cass for the Presidency have been ivstly and
ably exposed. BY whatever motive Col. Ben
ton may have been moved by this summary
destruction ofvisionary pretensons 81 ambi-
tious projects, he has rendered n most essen
tial service to the country-and he is entitl-
ed TO every consideration ofrespect and graf
itude, for the fearless manner III winch he
discharged his duty, and for his conclusive
exposition of question much embarrassed
by the want of information and truth.
The tone of public feeling,even in the most
excited political quarters, is decidedly mod
Grated. Col Benton's speech has proved
damper to the ardency of the "a 40 division,
from which it is impossible for them TO recov-
err. With the more ultra set, in the House
who rely upon these tricks
of expedency to raise n tadpole "cry" with