The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-01
rORRESP ONDENCE or THE C.aLEDO.
MAN.
A Day ait the Capitol.

with intense anxiety the deliberations of some
three hundred men who, in measure hold
the dcstnies of this powerful Republic in their
hands. And never in our country's history
has there been greater occasion for anxiety.-I
After longS' arduous struggle against the in
voders of our soil, we took our stand among
the nations of the earth ,S'each succeeding year
since, has Witnessed our unparalleled growth
&, prosperity Our country has ilourshed g. her
resources have been developed under the ge-
nialinluence of the principles ofpeace, which
were SO perfectly in accordance with the gent
us of our institutions; and under the same
peaceful influences, the future unfolded pros
pect of continued prosperity us brilliant and
glorious, as the most enthusiastic could con-
ceive,or the purcst patriot could hope for. But,
in an evil hour, our peaceful policy has been
changed. Not content with our own fair fields
and boundless possessions, we have grded on
our nrmor and invaded the territory Of weak
neighbor, waging bloody war of conquest
Life and treasure have been freely sacrificed
at the shrine ola false glory, and the base and
selfish passions of the nation have been in
voked and called into action, until multitudcs
are delighting in the lurid blaze of war, and
thirsting to wiring from the poverty of Mexico,
one half other territory TO add to our towering
greatness. The history ofothcr nations shad-
ows forth but too plainly the baneful results
The spirit of conquest once becoming predom-
inant never can be checked, Already do the
war party look with covetous eye upon Gu
ba Already is it limited that Canada must
come under our jurisdiction, and some have
even revealed in the anticipation of the day,
when our flag shall be unfurled on the towers
of London. A crisis has been reached in the
history of our country, and unless our govern
ment shall recede from the position it has
tuken-wnr and conquests are henceforth to
mark our policy, taxes and conscriptions must
be borne by our people, IL our free institutions
must yield to the iron rule of n military des-
potism. Years may elapse before the last yes
tige of popular rights shall be yielded up to the
insatiate demands of arbitrary power, but the
result will as surely follow the continuance of
our present policy, as night will follow day.
tits therefore not strange that the deliberations
of Congress are watched with intense anxiety,
and that every movement should be weighed
with reference to its bearing on the question of
peace war; and well may the lover of his
country tremble when he sees the character
of these men who are to exert so powerful an
Influence for veal or for woe on ther destiny.
The Senate is composed for the most part of
men of talent, and their deliberations are
marked with degree of decorum not always
exhibited in the other house; but many of the
Senators are ambitious asprants, and in decid-
ing their course ofucton in relation to the
war, they shrcwdy calculate what effect il will
have on their prospects for future favors from
the people, or for Executive promotion. In
the house there many talented men also,
but with the exception of some half dozen, it
would as whole rank far below the lower
House inthc Massachu legislature. A large
number of the members are mere demugogues,
ready to mount any hobby which will ride them
into favor with the people MIR Winthrop has
no cnviable position in presiding over the de-
alterations of body which manifest little
regard for order dccorum, but his impartial
ity and promptness render him well quail
fed for that station, probably, as any man in
the house. Any who has attended our
town meetings very well judge of the dis
cord which prevails. There is u little more
keeping Of seats, because many spend the ses-
sion in writing letters or doing uppublc docu-
ments for their constituents, but each
talks and laughs aloud and walks about, with
= out any regard to what is under consideration
unless it is something very exciting, and then
there is often equal confusion, sometimes a
dozen members springing to their feet and
speaking at once, sometimes addressing the
speaker, and sometimes another member on
y the floor. The confusion and noise so
great that very little of the proceedings can
'be understood in the gallery.
was present when Mr. Bolts introduced his
fourteen resolutions denouncing the war with
Mexico, and the whole policy of the admins
tration from beginning to end. He is stout,
thick-set man and his countenanoe indicates
the unyielding -petinaoity of his character
Neither fear nor favor will drive him from his
position when once assumed, and Mr. Polk
may expect from him sturdy opposition
He represents the Richmond district, and the
Richmond Enquirer (Mr Folks champion in
the Old Dominion) is out upon him in the
hardest manner. II says he has "drawn the
sword and thrown away the scabbard," and it
is even SO. Standing at the head of the mill
tary committee, Mr. Polk cannot regard his
opposition with indifference If all our Wings
were as Independent and straight forward, we
might expect some measure would be adopted,
by the house at least, to favor a speedy resto-
ration of peace
Inc resolution introduced by Long John
wentworth declaring that Congress has power
TO improve our nayigable waters for the pro-
lection nnrt