Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-12-28

try at large, beg in conclusion, to wish each and
every one of our readers happy, most happy, New
Year.
Father Matthew-Dcbnte in the Senate.
An animated debate occurred in the United States
Senate on the Goth instant upon resolution intro
duced by Mr. WALKER, of Wisconsin, to the follow
ing effect:
Resolved, That the Rev. THEoBALD MATTHEW be permit
ted to sit within the bar of the Senate during the period of
his sojourn in Washington.
The question being upon the resolution, its adop-
ton was opposed by Mr.. CLEMENS of Alabama, on
the ground that Mr.. MATTHEW had at some former
period avowed opinions inimical to the institution
of slavery. Mr.. CLAY made some observations, in
which he deprecated, justly, think, the pushing
of slavery in its collateral and remote branches up
on all possible occasions that might arise Mr. Sew
ARD of New York. advocated the passage of the res
olution because Mr.. MATTHEW had expressed opin-
ions at variance with those of the South, upon the
slavery question This drew bitter and merited re-
Dukes from Mr.. FooTE and Col. JEFFERSON DAVIS, of
Mississippi and other gentlemen from the South
Gen. CAss made some remarks OF conclliatory cha
racter urging that the resolution was simply token
of respect, rendered to great and good man, and
having no bearing way or the other upon the
slavery question, which he said was too grave and
solemn question to be pertinaciously lugged into
every trfing discussion, with which it could only
have remote connection Mr.. CALHOUN, Mr.. BAD
GER and Others opposed the adoption of the resolu
tion as it was without precedent, and might tend
to confusion and difficulty in future, when the same
privilege would be claimed for others. After con-
siderable discussion the resolution was adopted by
vote of 33 yeas to Is nays.
1t would seem that the better plan in this case
would have been for the presiding officer to have in
troduced Mr.. MATTHEW, without any vote or resolu-
ton upon the subject, in which case no objection
would have been made. Those gentlemen who vo-
ted against the resolution for admitting Father
MATTHEW stated that their course was not dictated
by any lack of respect to that gentleman personally
nor any indspostion to testify their appreciation Of
his services in the of temperance, but either
because they feared to establish precedent, or were
unwilling to lend the apparent sanction of their votes
to his principles upon the slavery question.
This discussion is deeply to be regretted not be-
the subject matter possesses any intrinsic i'm
porance whatever, but because it discloses DISPOSE
ton among the ultra members from both sections Of
the Union to view every matter through the medium
of their feelings upon particular question. L
is impossible to see how vote of courtesy to any
man can be tortured into an endorsement of all hi
views. 1t would hardly be supposed that the pas
sage of the resolution for admitting Father MATTHEW
to the floor of the Senate would be any endorsement
on the part of that body of the Catholic religion,
the institution of monarchy, and yet everybody know
that he is Catholic Priest, and subject of Grea
Britain. Altogether too much Importance has, w
think, been given to this matter which intended
simply as mark of esteem, and as such the invita-
ton should have been unanimous or not at all Up
any opposition being evinced by Senators, motive
of delcacy should have induced the mover to with
!, draw it.
THREATENED INUNDATIoN.-Late New Orleans pa
pers speak of great rise in the Mississippi river
and express strong fears of another overflow TIL
river is with its banks at many points wher
the overflow of last summer occurred
THE PANoRAMA.-We regret that we have not e
y1joyed the pleasure of seeing Mr.. PARTS Panoram
of the Hudson River, and of scenes in Virginia tn
more so as it has been very highly spoken of by th
press where it has been exhibited, both in our ow
State, AMI at the North Mr.. PRATT himself come
very highly recommended from Raleigh, where tn
painting has been on exhibition, and was visited by
). large majority of the citizens.
nds~ Christmas in this place. was observed with til
usual spirit. Divine service was celebrated in th
Episcopalian and Catholic Churches; and the Ten
perance Societies had celebration at the Baptis
Church, where several excellent addresses were d,
livered. The exercises were highly impressive an
credtable to all concerned
RAIL Road CONVENTION to the a,
: pointment OF the Central Committee, Convention
the friends of the Central Rail Road will be held
. this place on Saturday week, the fifth of January
It is expected that Gen SAUNDERS and other dist,
e gnished gentlemen will be present.
of B6EnThe English steamer Hecate, having Z
: board the new British Minister, Sir Henry LYrTe
EBuLwER, arrived off the Washington Arsenal on Fl
y cay evening, the 21st instant
JAN BURNr-We learn that the Brunswick cou
Ety Jail. at Smithville was destroyed by fire on su
in day night last. Suspicion attaches to negro vi
q was confined in it, and who made bis escape Ifw
wooden building.