The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-15

zed. The latest telegiaphic dispatches bring no
more encouraging accounts Of the prospect for an
'arly election Of Speaker. The matter is becoming
lzeeedingly discreditable to all parties and must
nave a peFnicious effect on the course Of public
business Either Of the three parties could end it
At once, BY voting for moderate man Of either Of
the others. 1t is now evident that somebody must
yield and the sooner the less heavy viii be the
to fall upon those to whom public
opinion will allot the largest share of the fault of
thus obstructing the wheels of government
The right Of every member to the exercise of his
individual opinions, and to uphold them with his
vote, is not to be disputed But at dead lock like
this between three distinct parties when one must
yield for the sake of the public interest," the decis
ion Of the public will not be guided by the mere
question Of abstract right so much as by the pre-
ponderanee of numbers the responsibility being
increased in an inverse ratio to she number among
whom it is shared. As parties are at present con-
stituted, it is chiefly, though not altogether afew
men who impede, the public affairs and keep Con
gress from its proper business Of legislation. The
band of free-soilers on the one side, and two or
three very violent Southern men on. the other
appear to be the principal authors Of all the diff
men, especially the free-seiers intent on carrying
ont their extreme opinions at all hazardsand at any
cost, have commenced, with the very opening of
the session. system of agitation and controversy
which threatens the most serious and dangerous
consequences.
Previous to the meeting Of the members at Wash
ington it was anticipated that there might be some
difficulties in the way of organization, and it was
eonjectured that those questions which are destined
to perplex and embarrass the whole session. would
enter into the election Of the Speaker But it
hardly entered into the imagination of any one
that so much time would be consumed as had been
already spent when we received our last dispatches
Fhe spirit Of compromise appears to be extinct
among our Legislators and hours and days are
consumed in ballotings almost exactly similar in
their results.
Let us waive for while the matter of expense
let US forget that Congress, every day of its SEES
sion, costs the people-of the United States nearly
twenty-five hundred dollars. Let these gentlemen,
who are sent to Washington for the sake of ma
king laws forget, if that were possible, that they
are living in the capital at the peoples expense
yet how they justify their conduct for the last
ten or twelve days Have they taken it into their
heads that Congressman are elected merely to sit
all day in a large room, with table before Them
and to answer to consecutive ealings of the roll
with the name Of a nominated colleague Are
these free-soilers determined that if Congress will
not do what they wish, it shall do nothing Such
would seem to be conclusions at which they have
arrived
1t behoves men.of all parties--nen who under
stand that every law is the result Of compromise
and coneessiOn-that business cannot be transacted
with orotchets and abstractiOns-tO unite and put
down these clamorous brawlers who interfere with
the public peace and the public welfare. The
President cannot deliver his annual message to
Congress because, forsooth, the consciences Of "a
few heated enthusasts--or pretended enthusiast
prevent them from voting fora Speaker who comes
from particular part of the United States. The
business of all the Departments flags, because the
officers are expecting every day,to give in then
reports, and establish necessary relations between
the different bureaus and the several congressional
committees. The whole country is waiting on a
few men who regard provisO to law as a much
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