Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-02-17
Affairs at Washington.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SENTINEL,

EXTRACT OF A LETTER,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SENTINEL,
Dated, Washington, Feb. l2, 1913.
DEAR SIR Mr.. HUNTER, Senator from
Virginia, made his speech on Monday, as no
,iced. had anticipated a somewhat differen,
speech than Mr.. H. delivered; but upon the
whole, when you consider how he is welded
to MIR. CALHOUN he did pretty well on some
points. He will vote supplies; that is right
and generally, he sustains the policy of the
war. But he finally spoiled good thing, by
falling back, 4or forward, he did not define
which, } on line, as ''indemnity for the past
could divest himself of his preference for Mr..
CALHOUN for the presidency, Virginia might
we'll be proud Of him as Senator 1t is po-
litical SIM to say the least Of him, in adhering
to Mr.. G.. and his political wndings South
Carolina could well afford to spare him from
her councils, for he has kept her in continual
brolls. and in wrong position, contrary to her
patriotism and her interest. for the last twenty
five years- knew Mr. CALHOUN, when he
was the most rabid internal improvement man
in the U. s., and so on, ad in1fnit,m; and Mr..
HUNTER's position surprises me the more, be-
my do HC IL, anu
provement, that he SHOULD follow such an oppo-
site light. admit Mr. c. is not SO aow; but it
may not be long before he is. Mr.. HUNTER
am satisfied for him to follow the bent of his
the good old days of JOHN TAYLOR of Caroline.
has not spark Of the patriotism Of the 'Jersey
IT, ho H. g..
souls" He spoke out boldly against the Gov
eminent. He goes FULLY for the interest of
Mexico. New jersey patriotism is degraded
in the person of her Senator. His patriotism
is of that school that had to hide in the pines
during the Revolutionary War
Mr.. NILES Of Conn. delivered his speech on
Wednesday. "1'he speech is calculated to
have an important bearing on the presidential
question. As friend of the present national
administration and a supporter of its war mea-
sures, his remarks were impolitc. tho curious.
He condemned both parties, as having acted
against the true interests of the country: First,
the wings, for their ex,ravagant denunciatons
of the war; and secondly, the democrats for
their ultra notions in regard to the acquisition
Of territory and indemnity for the expenses of
the war. He was in favor of the bill, if its
passage will promote peaceful negotiations
/, If not, he was then in favor of taking the Rio
Grande as boundary, and New Mexico.
California, &C., for indennify."- NILES
is strong, forcible speaker. and did full jus-
tice to his subject; yet dislike his position on
the war question. tr
Mr.. UNDERWOOD of KY spoke on Thurs
day. Ofcourse he went according to the opin-
IONS laid down on the Lexington PLATFORM
He has no opinions of his own, different from
those of Mr.. CLAY. He is excusabie, hovev-
er, being bound to GO against the interests OF
his country, and Kentucky in particulars
Mr.. CLAY has directed his friends in what they
must advocate and what denonnce.
Mr.. TCnNEY of Tenn. spoke yesterday; he
performs his duty at all times, both to his sub
ject and to his country. He went warmly fer
supplies and vigorous prosecution of the war.
Both houses adjourned over till Monday.
Not much has been done in the House this
week. There is so little decorum in that
branch of Congress. that cannot, with salts
faction, spend much Of my tire il the House.
A1d again, there is SO much abuse heaped up
on the Executive and the efforts made by the
Administration 70 close the war with Mexico,
such wiful perversion of facts, such almost
open embrace of the Mexican cause, that |
blush to look upon the members, to think how
degraded we shall become in history, as peo-
pie, if this course of conduct but continues a
little longer. ....--
The news from Europe shows that bread
stuffs and cotton have a downward tendency,
by the late arrivals. This cannot continue
long For, in relation to breadstuffs, the STAR
wing population of Ireland, England and Scot
land j. and some other sections of densely popu-
lated Europe, a reaction must take place, and
by course of International exchange of COM
modities, prices mast advance before the ensu-
ing midsummer, very considerably from the
present rates.
The ''peace propositions" from Mexico have
not yet been verified and from what you see
of the Presidents message to Congress ON that
subject, am fearful they will not soon be con-
frmed. Well, if peace is not made, the peo-
pie will have fearful account to settle with
the Wing leaders, in and out of Congress-
There is certain spirit here, that rules and
directs all the affairs of the opposition That
same spirit is ever active, untiring and uncom-
promising ia his opposition-hs friends equal
ly so with himself but the time is coming,
when the mover of this iniquious opposition 10
the interests of the country, will be visited with
the anathamas of an injured and a wro3ged
people. The patriotism Of our sires still cour-
SEES in the veins of the sons, and the united
Democracy of the country will yet triumph
antly uphold the Executive, in spite ofioreign
and domestic foes 5g
No news from the army this week, relative
to the movements of the troops. There are
some speculations ola probable battle between
Gen. Wool and the Mexicans, in the papers;
but the Mexicans, as the boys say, prefer
playing at ''long ta,c," than to come in contact
with Capt. BRAGG and CHS grape
No decision oftle Fremont trial as vet.
Yours, ZED.
.at.tstU4 N.-G -.s9Fu
LOOK TO IT.