Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-02-18
DeGorred ARTICLES

DEBATES IN CoSGREss.-Lhe elements
composing the political majority in Congress
are falling INTO great confusion. The President
can hardly know who are the supporters Of
his Administration and this uncertainty has
followed, in part, from his not seeming tc
know himself the debate purposes Of his own
policy.
In the debate On the Civil Appropriation
Bill some days ago, in the House Of Represen-
tatives, a motion was made by Mr.. WENT
WORTH, OF Illinois, to strike out the clause APP
propriating the annual compensation Of the
President of the United States. A motion
SO unusual was calculated TO excite some SEN
salon; and coming from a member Of the
Presidents party it was the more remarkable
Mr.. WENTwoRTH's speech on the proposed
amendment was not Of concilatory kind
as may be supposed. We quote from the In
telligencer's report:
"Mr. w. denied that his course was actua-
ted by resentment tor the Executive veto Of
the River and Harbour bib. He had been &C
cused by some Democrats OF going over TO the
Wings because he could not go for the tea and
coffee tar. But when he lost one OF the points
of the Democratic creed, he did but cling the
more closely TO those which were left. Those
who made the charge knew it TO be false
Let him that was without spot in opposing
Democratic measures cast the first stone
How many had gone for $40 40 supposing il
to be democratic; yet they found that the
true Democracy was 49o. Roars from the
Whigs.l Let them hold their peace. Let the
whole delegation from Pennsylvania be quiet,
for they had all gone against the Tariff Of
1916. Let those who had voted for the French
spoliation bill hold their peace IN like manner
so must all who voted against the lieuten-
ant general--all who voted for volunteers in
preference to regulars. Let those men show
they were without spot before they assumed
to read him out of the Democratic party
That house and the people whom it represen-
ted had as good right and better TO dictate
what should be the Democratic creed than the
President or the Senate, for the people made
the President"
Another topic was started inthe course OF
the debate-a topic which cannot be discussed
in Congress without excitement. The Viii
mot proviso is the topic referred TO. From the
York, we believe, the following is taken as a
specimen Of the excited language which this
subject calls forth:
"He next proceeded to discuss the object Of
the war. which he aigued to be the acquisition
Of Mexican territory. under which head of his
speech he examined the orders Com. STooK-
TON, &C.; and thence he passed TO the conse-
quences of the war, IFS evil example TO sue
ceeding Presidents, its effect in cultivating a
national thirst for territory and, lastly, its dl-
viding the Union on the character and condi-
ton of the conquered territory, when admit
ted into the Union. Here Mr.. ID. became
much excited on the topic of the proviso
H.. - IL Il. L.. 4
out of which there would be no resurrection,
TO the Northern men who should vote against
it. He greatly feared there was no homes,
purpose to carry it.
"He lauded the consistency and resolution
Of Southern representatives, and called on
those from the North to initiate the example
Yet, however the present representatives oil
the North might be induced TO act, their con-
stituents at home were fixed as the mmovable
mountains. He dared Southern men TO add
this territory if they did, the North would
surround them by a Gordon of free States, and
hight the fires Of liberty all around them till the
chains which bound their slaves should mel,
and fall asunder. Great sensation on the
Democratic side of the House.
"Mr ATKINSON called on Mr.. DELAso to
repeat his words.
"Mr. DELANo did so more strongly, but ex-
pressed his sorrow that such firebrand should
be introduced to threaten all we both held dear.
He loved this Union, but he would see IL shat
tered into ten thousand pieces before slavery
should be extended one foot by his instrumen-
tality. SC. He concluded by maintaining
that, although this was continued professedy
for glory. there was no glory in it. Be it his
glory to do all he could to arrest its progress,
and prevent the plains of Mexico from being
strewed with the bones Of our best cltiZens.-
Ii FOR this his patriotism must be doubted he
could not help it,"
The Wilmot provlso was attached as an
amendment TO the bill Of the last session APP
propriating two millions Of dollars TO the Pres
iden's use for the purpose of negotiation with
Mexico. The bill of the present session, APP
propriating three millions for the same pur-
pose, will afford an occasion for the renewal OF
the amendment, of which there have been fire.
quent limitations. There are expectations in
some quarters that majority will be found
in the House sufficient to determine all ques-
tons relative TO the Mexican war and the ter
rtory TO be acquired without the embarrass
ment OF any conditions relative TO free or slave
States. The brief period which remains to
this Congress, which is rapidly approaching
the end of lis session, renders il important that
despatch, at any rate, should be used towards
questions ofsuch magnitude to decline
them or to ascertain that they cannot be yet
decided - Bali. Amer.
GENERAL TAYLoR's LErTERs.-From the
New York Express, in which the letter of
Gen. TAYLOR, so much commented on, first
appeared, we make the following extract:
THE few Wing presses which have spo-
ken of the publication Of the only letter of
Gen. TAYLOR now likely TO see the light, as
indiscreet, little know of the Vaccinations and
intrigues which have been going on in Wash
R,perIv found i necessary 10 draw The fire