The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-06
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
THE GREAT WAR DEB,TE In THE SENATE
YESTERDAY.
Mr.. Crittenden for the War.

Inc debate In the Senate yesterday was deep
ly interesting. A full telegraphic report will be
found in our columns to-day. Mr.. Crittenden.
the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, pro-
posed substitute for Mr.. Cass's bill, for raising
an army OF thirty thousand volunteers, instead of
an increase in the regular army, as Mr.. Casss
bill did. After an interesting debate, fully re-
ported to-day, il rejected, by a vote of rs to
10, thus showing that the prosecution of the war
+, in Mexico will yet be warmly supported in the
Senate, and in the House salso, when the voting
| approaches. There appears TO be vast defec-
ton among the wings of both houses-and, in
fact, breaking up of the organization of the two
old parties into their original elements Mr..
Crittenden leads the way in the Senate, and he
| will be followed and supported by sufficient
number of the wings to render the balance of
power, heretofore supposed to be held by Mr..
Calhoun, perfectly nugatory. Mr.. Calhoun is
thus thrown into the same ranks as Mr.. Webster
in Congress, or Mr.. Clay out Of doors
We understand that great excitement is begin
ming to rage at Washington in both houses, on
the subject Of the war, and new organization
or revolution among the old parties, into which
Congress and the country are divided. BY avote
in the House, on an abstract proposition, last
week, it appears there were only forty-one dec-
ded and thorough-going peace men, or such as
are favorable to the policy of MIR. Clay, In the
House OF Representatives, although a majority
differed in their opinions as to the character and
commencement of the war. The debate in the
Senate, will excite intense interest in the House,
aud throughout the country. II involves an en-
tire revolution of parties, and remarkable and
curious construction Of new ones, out of the old
elements. Full reports of these debates, at any
expense, by telegraph, to the latest moment, may
be expected every morning in the Herald.
While this excitement on the subject OF the
war, and the speeches already delivered,
prevails at Washington, we must say that the
publication of Mr.. Calhoun's splendid speech
In this city yesterday, produced profound i'm
preston among all classes of this vast me-
tropois 1t fell like bomb shell in every
quarter-on change, in Broadway, at the clubs,
in the drinking houses, theatres, every
where where men most do congregate. 1t was
discussed side by side with the prices of cotton
in Europe, and commented upon with equal avn
dIty, in the same breath with Benedict and the
opera at the Astor Place theatre. Mr.. Calhoun's
speech is considered the grandest effort ever
made by that distinguished statesman, and the
and sublime effort in the cause of peace, yet
made by any public man, far surprising any
thing which has come from either Mr.. Clay or
Mr. Webster, on the question and policy Of the
Mexican war. Many of the supporters of Mr..
Clay, on reading Mr.. Calhoun's speech, declared
that they would as soon vote for him as MI. Clay,
after the promulgation of such sound and states
manlike views. The effect of this speech, which
was sent all over New York and New England
yesterday, will be prodigious in favor OF Mr..
Calhoun, and on the policy advocated by him.
We doubt, however, if even that sublime effort
of craftsmanship, and eloquence, and reason,
and sagaclty, and patriotism, can overcome the
intense war spirit which prevails among the great
mass of the people, and which is rising higher
and higher every moment. If any man can pro-
duce change or revolution on the public mind
in the North, it is now acknowledged that Mr..
Calhoun is that parsonage, and all admit that he
has taken the wind out of the sails OF Clay,
Webster, and all other orators of the day. We
should not at all be surprised to see mass meet
ing yet called in support of Mr.. Calhoun s views
In the meantime, the interest ofthe debates in
the Senate Is getting deeper and deeper, and the
excitement is rising higher and higher IN this
great metropolis. The politicians, orators and
statesmen at Washington, should, by all means,
whenever they speak, follow the admirable ex-
ample OF Mr.. Calhoun, and condense what they
have to say, instead of diffusing and weakening
their ideas. Short speeches, pointed and pithy,
will tell thousand times more on the public
mind, in the present electric age of the world,
than any other mode or system of speaking
We are going back to the time of Demosthenes.
The Herald and the electric telegraph are work
Ing revolution, and God knows what to-mor-
row will bring forth.