The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-29

The thing is perfectly absurd. Suppose an address
recommending dissolution were TO be adopted and
signed by every member Of Congress, what would
be the result The result would be, that not
man of them would ever return to Congress again.
And, If we mistake not, the comparatively innc-.
cuous address adopted, will have the effect of
sending moiety, at least, Of Its signers to the
shades of private life and public disapprObation.
The greatest disgrace that can attach to any
man IN this Union, is The disgrace of preaching
dissolution The people Of this Union would just as
soon think of ceding themselves back as colonies
OF Great Britain, as they would think OF splitting
the Union into two military despotsms
Tuesday, IN the Senate, was occupied by Mr.
FoOte In reply to the card OF Judge Mclean, VIM
dicatlng himself against certain charges OF the
Senator from Mississippi 10 the effect that the Judge
pressing bis opinions to the public, during the late
Presidential campaign, on the Mexican war and
the slavery question Mr.. Corwln made general
reply, in defence of the Judge. Mr.. Foote insisted
that has charges had not been answered, and that
the cenduct Of The Judge was unbecomlnga Judge
and patriot during the existence OF a foreign war.
And thus the matter was dropped.
There was an lrIshman, once upon time, al
Donnybrook fair, who, dragging his coat on the
ground through the crowd, exclaimed, len In
the morning, and no fight yet; VIII any Jlntieman
have the goodness to tread on my c0attail Inc
wings OF The Senate appear TO regard Mr.. Foote In
this light, and hence they are extremely cautious
OF treadlDg his coat tail; and hence, we sup
pose, Mr.. Corwln thought 1t most judlcious only
char ges against his Trend, the Judge, the most
prominent policy with the warlike gentleman
from Mississippi, who is really at heart one of the
most pleasant men In the world.
This matter being disposed OF, the Senate took
up the bill for reciprocity with Canada, in Tree
Int exchange between her and the United States OF
their mutual agricultural products. Mr.. Dix occu-
pied the residue OF the session. in an able satistl-
cal speech In support OF the measure, which was
listened to if the Senate were instructed by his
mastery exposition of the subject.
On Wednesday, MIR. Douglas called up the iCali-
fornia bill, and moved substitute for his original
project, which was rejected by the Judiciary Com.
mittee. Various anne ndments were offered; and
the whole OF them, with the substitute Tor the bill,
were, after debate, referred to select committee
OF seven, Mr.. Douglas, chairman, from whom we
expect report on Monday.
Some compromise may be yet adopted by the
Senate, this session, though we apprehend that
nothing short OF the provlso will answer for the
House and the prospect still exists, that the
slavery question will go over 10 Gen. Taylor, body
and breeches.
The Senate next took up the bill Tor cheap post
ages, and for an amendment allowing newspapers
to go free for 30 miles; Mr.. Allen made power.
ful speech In support of the notion and in decided
denunciaton of the ocean steam mail system, as
corrupt, extravagant, stock jobblng business of
speculation upon the treasury. Mr.. Niles briefly
replied, and thus ended the day.
Thursday and FRIDAY in the Senate were chiefly
devoted to private bills. Adjourned over to Mon
On Monday, the House were chiefly employed
upon the annual bill OF civil and diplomatic up.
preparations. On Tuesday, after a formal trial
and virtual judgment of Hon. Horace Greeley, In
the book BUSINESS, and after the rejection of the
mileage amendment, the ci vii and diplomatic bill
was passed Wednesday was employed In mis-
celaneous affairs, and the army bill. Thursday
was principally expended in the consideration of
the army bill. In the debate, Mr.. Thompson, of
Indiana, made strong concll iatory, conservative
speech on the slavery question, which afforded
much pleasure to the conservatives of the South
The army bill was passed
Friday was devoted by the House to private
billie; and to-day Saturday they have been en-
gagged in the consideration of the bill tor the esta.
blishment of board for the adjudication of pri-
vate claims against the government.
From this hasty review, it will be seen that the
two houses have been pretty industnously plying
the public business during the last week. The pr.
vate and miscellaneous calendars constitute a
heavy ITEM. Private claims alone take up nearly
one-thlrd OF the time of Congress and if a board
would be established for the settlement of private
claims, which could be kept rec from the mon
sIrous temptations to corruption which are some
times, we venture to say, potential in securing the
passage OF private claims, such board would be
deslderatum that has long been demanded.
The day is remark ably fine, and the fashions
are all abroad on the sunny side of Pennsylvania
avenue: The arrivals at Colemans and the other
hotels, indicate increased visitation of stran-
gers to the city within the last few days. w.