The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-29

The MORALS OF OFFICE DEuoIN0-OoLONM
WRBB AS A CHRISTIAN AND LOVER. Our friend and
yellow laborer Webb, who Is still IN the gall of
bitterness at the city of Washington, has been en-
deavoring to relieve the tedIum OF his sojourn
there by writing very amusing and. characteristic
account of the interview between the President
and General Scott We give this ,norceau place
the first page Of our journal day. together with
another account Of the same exciting occurrence
by another pefsonage, rasueiy enough described
by the Courier, In contradistncton to Colonel
Webb, as being "penecty reliable and respon-
sibe person."
1t will be perceived that these two narratives dlf-
ter considerably land fact quite contradictory.
The public, however, have had abundant opportu-
mites of obtaining that knowledge which will
qualify them to decide on the relative degree of
credit which should be gwen to Colonel Webb and
any "perfecdy responsible and reliable person."
Whatever may be the veracity of the perfectly
responsible and reliable person." there can be NO
doubt at all that in point of graphic power and
dramatic effect, the narrative Of Colonel Webb
Is infinitely super or. Webb is emphatic, piquaat,
eloquent, pathetic. The "perfechy responsible
and reliable person" Is dry, circumstantial,
curt, peevish. Webb brings up the whole scene
wildly before us, and describes it with touch
of classic enthusiasm. In sooth, he wakes poetI-
cal. He almost equals old Homer in that
famous account of the quarrel between Achilles
and Agamemnon. Very dull and tame, in COM
parlson is the prosaic account given by the "per.
ectly.respOnsible and reliable person." Besides,
our interest in Colonel Webb's narrative Is height
ened by the fact that devout friend was himself
at church on this memorable occasion! There is
something extremely affecting In this spectacle Of
pious Office beggars recltng in unison the solemn
ritual of the church! How delightful, after the
anxious labors of the week. thus to meet together,
and breathe the pure atmosphere of the house Of
prayer What an edifying scene! We almost
fancy we hear the deep, sonorous voice of the de-
vout Colonel, as he makes his responses; while at
little distance the stalworth form Of General Scott
is meekly bent IN humble alteration. Beggars, of
every rank and degree Of voraclty, stand around;
and, with one eye fixed ON the book and the
other on Zachary Taylor, all sing out " Amen"
"Amen!'
While extremely gratifed by this discovery Of
the pous habits of our ancient FRIEND the Colonel,
we must say, that we have been somewhat sur
prlsed and grieved. to find him manifest spirit SO
evidently unkind and hostile towards the dlstin-
gushed man. for whom he formerly expressed the
slncerest admiration and esteem. 1t is well known
that General Scott was, not very long since, the
great political idol of the redoubtabe Colonel
Webb. We all recollect with what zeal and
warmth lthe Colonel was accustomed to press the
claims of Winfield Scott to the highest political
station in the country. change, however, has
come over the spirit Of the devout Coloners dream,
Hslo has waxed cold, and with all the ialthless.
ness of an lncOnstant village swain, he abuses
where he formerly adored. But the Colonel Is too
susceptible and too tender to be without an object
| for his fond hearts affection. His signs are now
waited In another directIon; and ardent Is this
new flame, that our enamoured Colonel finds him
self even at the holy altar, the victim of struggle,
almost fierce that which rent the heart of the
sainted EloIse. Even IN the temple, Colonel
Webb cannot repress his love for General Taylor;
and hurrles from Its sacred portals to offer upfresh
incense to his earthly shrine Can such enthus-
astc and consuming devotion 60 unrewarded
Vino NEWSPAPERS AT WASHING roN.-A despe-
rate and quite amusing struggle has of course
taken place at Washington, among the wing
printers and EDITORS In order to secure the organ
ship. Thus far, the National Intsligencsr appears
TO be successful In this scramble for provender.
lis years and necessities certainly presented a
strong case for the exercise of executive charity.
Gales and Seaton have probably received, from
first to last, one million and half of dollars in the
shape of profits out Of the public printing and the
Other "picklngs and stealiAgs" which fall to the
lot of Washington "Organs" Yet, somehow or
other, these dollars have taken unto themselves
wings; and now, In the autumn of life, the vene-
rable editors have been obliged once more to ap-
Al L. e e.
executive bounty. They deserve it. The wings in
Congress owe them a heavy debt of gratitude
that Is, If excellent suppers and tolerable wines
Justify benevolent human emotions. Gales and
Seaton have been casting their canvass back ducks
and devied turkey on the waters, for several years
past and 1t would be devlish hard if they did not
now realize the practical fruits OF their faith,
hope, and charity. Last session they made 4
lood many desirable thousands by publishing the
Gull speeches of Senators at the rate Of " fifteen
dollars a column" and by resolution passed near
the adjournment, they will be able to clear at least
one hundred thousand dollars. Who wouldn't
give suppers to members Of Congress Thus
graciously doth grateful whiggery gid the de-
cinlng years of Its ancient friends Of the Intsns-
gencer-so wagglshly entitled, as if to render still
more marked the Jolly Of looking for any news In
its heavy columns Of dulness and decency.
Another newsp, per candidate for the drippngs
of executive favor, Is about to make Its appearance
from the press of Mr.. Gideon, an old job printer
at Washington, who, after much prayerful coglta-
ton and anxious inquiries, has at length deter
mined to put In his oar, and trust to Providence
and General Taylor. A York lawyer, named Sar-
gent, and Mr. Bullitt, late OF New Orleans, are to
be the editors of this new sheet. Mr. Gideon has
secured share of the government advertising, and
hopes by strict economy and the most tractabIe
disposition, to merit due share Of patronage We
fear, however, that his ancient rivals OF the Intel
hgexeer, from their superior knowledge of Con-
gressmen and cooking, will reduce HIM to the