The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-01-14
From washingtone
WAsHINoToN CITY, Jan. 8, lS4S.

Editor Ohio Siafesman:
Reverdy Johnson's speech at the Qnit
man and Shields dinner, has caused M
little wonder in political circles, and CIV
I, en- rise to various speculations upon tb'
coalition Of Harmonious wbiggery. Hat
a whig less frank and independent, and a
the same time equally as shrewd as MIR
Johns on, taken his position 18th reference
to the war, the public would simply have
i attributed the indiscretion to the patri'
otic influences of generous wine. bu'
with all the ultraism of his tbeore,ic fed
eralism, which make him well nigh mon
archist in abstract opinions, his Iiberality
when coming to decide upon measures
and 10 measuring the motives Of his op
pooenis, induces the public to witness an
ii fed raj demonstrations from him with
out astonishment, which from any Other
whig Of half his standing, would bring up.
on his head, forthwith, the anathemas o
the federal press.
i l fear, in this Instance, Mr.. johnson
will catch it, however. In his speeci
he propounced the war just, necessary
righteous, and national in the broadcast
sense Of the term, and declared his inten'
ton to maintain til is view from his seat
in the Senate. This sentiment was re-
ceived with vociferous plaudits from the
dem ocrats around the board Had il
ia lien from the lips Of one of them, il
would perhaps ,have given offence to some
Of the federalists present, many of whom
profess to regard the war as it is looked
on by Giddings et al.
The popular impression is, that Mr.
Johnson was but foreshadowl the posi-.
tions the Taylor wings have determined
to take. In this, by no means coincidej
for il admitted the whole democratic doc
,rine in this connection, and to do so in
the non slaveholding states, will be to in
sure the defeat of any ,Ohig, [standing on
his grouud.] Ten to one, MIR. Senator
Johnson spoke but for himself.
The scene at the White House on the
first, was very similar to that Of the day,
one year before, which, i'll am not mis-
taken, l described TO your readers al
length. The crowd was, however, not 50
great, the day being lowering, and other.
wise very disagreeable. There were more
wings in public life present. and fewer
ped estrians. This is the first occasion OF
the kind on which something oulre has
failed to happento cause dismay to the
mawkis guests, and unadulterated fun TO
others. The heads Of the departments,
Mrs Madison, Mr. J. @. Adams, and many
persons of ealth distinction and notere
ty seeking, or convivial taste, kept open
house, dispensing apple toddy, egg nogg
chicken salads, aud broiled oyesters,
which, on such occasions, are indispensi.
BILE everywhere out Of the White House.
To feed and wet the crowd of from Eve ~
ten thousand people who always go there
on New Years day, would cost the Presl
dent half his annual salary; SO it is not at
tempted; as to do it with any other than
LAVISH hand, would be far worse that not
to attempt it at all.
The thirty third anniversary of the
Columbia Typographical Society was duI,
celebrated on Saturday night, with the
usual supper. Some two hundred persons
connected in various ways with the press,
and score beside, were present.
Though member Of the press. gang, !
must be permitted to say that we have no
entertainments 10 Washington at all to
compare with this annual feast, at which
wI,, or, should write, mind aud soul flow
freely ln The course Of his speech Joseph
Gales, Esq. of the National lntelligencer,
remarked that ofaIl the journeymen en-
gagged Oh the National Iulrllig there
are none not as well qualified TO take
charge Of its editorial chair, as he as, ou
resigning the composing stick 10 take up
the quill.
Asyou will perceive, the war in Con.
gress over the war in Mexico has fairl,
commenced. In the Senate, however, the
. reliable democratic majority are appar
emily bent on securing the enactment o
the necessary supply bills before permit,
ting the opposition TO devo,e the time o
the Senate to the work Of stleng iheniDl
the chances of this or that aspirant for til,
I Presidency, to which months are entirel
to be dedicated, Notwithstanding tn
> pressing necessities Of the public bust
! ness.
The proceedings of beth Houses, to.day
we're too important TO be disposed OF in
paragraph at the tail of this letter, SO
shall write you at length upon them tG
morrow. Their details will reach you
: telegraph, through the Pillsburgh paper
i 50 long before this letter can get 70 Co
Umbus that TO repeat them here would