The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-03


siderations have not been recently observed with /
any rigidity.
In the House, pro,racled struggle in the organ
zation Is to be expected from the state Of parties,
and the nature Of the questions which separate
them. Neither Of the two grand parties has an as
sduied majority. Portions Of both have been COM
nitted by pledges, and the organizations which
elected them, to single idea-the exclusion Of sla
very from the territories, irrespective Of all other
political questions. On general principles, there
1il be a small democratic majority. The vacancy
in Massachusetts, and the abseace Of Mr.. King, Of
Georgia, reduces the whole number likely to be
present to 229, Of whom IS is a majority. The
two deficient seats are taken fFom the estimated
wing strength, leaving the fullest house that can be
Iexpected-l13 wings and free soil yshigs, and1l6
democrats and free soil democrats. Counting the
free soil votes as distinct division, the vote stands
III democrats, 105 wings, and ID free sellers. In
this only those are counted free sellers who were
elected on distinetoFganizat The free soil Ell
enent is very large one in both parties, and may
finally dictate the decision Of the question: but the
political exclusive free sellers do not exceed the
number named, and on their action, as a separate
party the choice Of speaker and the Organization of
the House, will in all probability be protraeted IN
Hess both Of the large parties are dsorganzed and
new combinations are formed.
We must not omit another element ofuncertain-
ty, which in 50 close division will not be unm-
portant. The seats OF Nessrs. Robbins, Of Pa,
one of the Philadephia districts, and Mr. LETTER,
of Iowa, (both democrats) are contested, by oppo-
hsnts; and in. South Carolina there are several
members Of the anomalous description Of g Taylor
democrats" This unsetdes, again, the political
calculations of the democrats. The disputed mem-
bers will, of course, vote on tie speakership, and
may be unseated afterwards but the South Carol-
ma votes are thought to be extremely uncertain,
to any caucus nomination Of democrats. The may,
however, be set down as certain against any free
soler.
Out Of these discoTdant elements nothing but
strife can be expected at the opening of Congress.
We shall not be surprised if the conflict is proract
ed for several days and the issue, whatever itmay
be, will be followed by many heart bnrnings and
perhaps aggravated sectional comPlainings No
free soiler can be elected without southern votes if
taken up by another party, and If elected without
southern votes,it must be by a combination of po-
\ tical antagonisIps, combining only anti-slavery
grounds. This will be.the first swelling Of the
storm which is to agitate and distract the House the
moment it is engaged, in reference to tile absorbing
slave question. On this head, the materalsfor con
troversy are numerous, and thestrife unavoidable
The proposition to admit California as "a State, al
once, will be the first in ORDER but not the first in
magnitude. The collateral questions attached to il
transcend in importance the point formally at is
! sue California may be admitted, and the eoptro
sersy subsis in greater violence, as to the remain
ing territory California rejected, and the creation
Of new governments, for that as for the ether por
ton Of the territory, will renew the excitement.
The organization Of New Mexico win be anothe
field for controversy duplicating The slave qnesto
The right of Texas to the Santa Fe boundary viii
be disputed, less from any consideration for the rea
merit Of her title, and the real convenience of tn,
decision, than pure zeal to take away or add to ter
ritory5 over which the power ofCougress in forbid
ding slavery. may have scope for its action.
To these viii be added agitation on the abolition
of slavery in the District of Columbia, part o
which may be the proposition tore-cede the district
to Maryland--ihe proposition discussed at the last
session, for abolishng the internal traffic Of slaves
between the States, and, on the other hand, a de-
mand from the south for better guarantees by law
Tor the execution in their favor Of the constitutional
duty Of the nou-slavsloding States, restore fl-
gitive slaves to their masters.
sectional controversy andexcitemeht during tile next
session. Added to these, and consequent upon
them, will undoubtedly be an effort to embody the
southern members Of Congress, in both houses,
upon some selected and concerted plan OF action
among themselves, to'resist the passage of anti
slavery projects through Congress, andt prepare
plan of action for the south.
These are distraeting questions in prospect an,
n IL i n n L ~.
ed to bring them to peaceful solution. But,
are other grave subjects, upon which, in ordinar
times, there would be great diversity of sentiment
{ aud exciting debates, but which, amidst the NOR
momentous struggles Of this time, will be dealt wit
z as Of secondary Importance. The attempt win b
nadeto alter the tariff; the ad valorem duties wi
be assaledi under the plea Of providing for an il
7 crease Of revenue the protective system will
: again sought to be established and a scheme
y two 70 change The financial system of the Unit,
States, and re6stablish deposit system, or son
paper substitute OF hard money exchanges, win
urged upon Congress.
The session, with all these subjects for agitatio
will be prolonged and exciting
The Senate. win have its full share in the Inoy
ments. Indeed, from present indications, the Sc
ate viii be The theatre Of the greatest intere
There win be Of the master SPIRITS Clay, Calbou
Webster, Benton, Cas-, and others, whose word i
fences vast masses and whose conflicts with ca,
other will be the meeting Of giants. Then, too
is probable-that the most successful efforts as j
strongest will be finally made to settle the subje
in dispute, on some middle ground Of moderate
and compromise.
l. The executive function viii also bring befor
| them the subject Of appointments aud removal
The democratic majority will doubtless scrutihiz
closely, and severely, the claims of all the new IN
eunlbents appointed onpolilical grounds, IN plac
| ofdemocrats removed. We donpt believe there wi
be any settled rule Of reflections adopted or any poll
cy avowed Of thwartng the constitutional power
The President to make removals. But itisreasona
BILE to expect that close scrutiny win be Ihadeinto tn
character, qualifications, and morals of every ney
EaPpointee, and that every grouud Of alleged orim
piled misconduct, assigned as the caase Of re
! moyal, shall be most diligently and severely silted
siiled Nemay look IN addition, fof a strong de
bate uponhe whole theory and practice Of removals
3 violent onslaught upon The administration, and
vigorous. and spirited defence
By The Key case, the German steamer ease IN
Of Round Island affair, the French difficulty. the Mic
\ agagua controversy, will also be brongbt nm am
make the Presentsession of of stirrin
I'd interest and stormy controversy o.,
F The Presidents message will not be delivs,o
+, until the House is organized by the election. Of
ar speaker. The uncertainty Of that event leaves
+ doubtful whether the message Will be sent in durir