The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-26
NEW ORLEANS
WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECRMBER 26.


Correspondents Of the Charleston Council
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 15 - This day closes the
second week Of the session, and it leaves the House
farther of from the election Of Speaker than it
was the first Monday in December
AT the outset, the struggle was between the old
party organizations, but now it is verging towards
a sectional conflict. Mr.. Meade and Mr. Duer
have settled their personal difficulty and the
speeches Of some Of the Southern and Northern
members are softened down-but still there is deep
leellng among the members-and it is spreading,
far and wide in the country.
Public attention is attracted to the positions taken
by Mr.. ToOmbs, Of Georgia, and find, as the con-
test wakes warmer, these extreme positions gain
advocates, both in and out Of Congress. Mr..
Ioombs opposes any Organization Of the House,
until the Sonth can be assured that the majority
will not press measures adverse TO Southern rights
The Northern men say that such doctrines will Kill
oil every Northern politician who dares to main
tain Southern rights, or even conservative posi-
ton and, the other hand it is urged that this is
the time to call the attention of the country 10 the
real question that divides the North and the South
and has so far, prevented the organization Of the
House. have, heretofore, taken il for granted
that the majority in Congress would be content
with the admission of the State of California and
with Constitution inhibiting slavery but it is
now said that the Northern members will insist
upon an additional restriction, made applicable to
all the new Territories, excluding slavery forever
lAFilg as IeTrlLOfleS or DtaleS--Or, other
WORDS that they will insist upon the WilmOt Pro-
viso, A very distinguished democratic Senator has
remarked that as sure there was a God in
Heaven, the Wilmot Proviso would pass at this
session, and that he believed it would greatly en-
danger the Union-and what is more this Sena-
tor though deprecating it, will be compelled to vote
for it. But to show how very unsettled every
thing is in regard to the action Of Congress, may
mention that some Northern wing Senator's who
are generally considered as extreme anti-slavery
men, have avowed very different course Of tactics
Ihey say they will oppose the admission of Cali
lorna as State, and propose Territorial Govern
ment for the whole territory acquired from Mexico
without restriction as to slavery. They say they
will not acknowledge the validity Of the provision
through which California is sought to be ushered
into the Union that the whole Territory was not
laid oil INTO districts, no rule for governing the from
tier no security for the fair expression Of the wishes
OF the inhabitants, no definition Of boundaries-in
hne, that the whole proceeding is illegal and void.
All this rs, by the way, very like the opinions that
have been attributed to Mr. Calhoun But these
gentlemen 90 further, and say that, under propai
regulations, by law of Congress, they will consent
to give Calltornia-that is, the whole territory ac-
qured from MexieD-the privilege Of forming a
State Constitution, and will recognize it without
any restriction as to STRENGTHENING that to the
direction of popular will, climate, commerce, or
whatever influences may govern it.
so there rs to be a test Of opinions on this subject
among the Northern Senators. The result is likely
to be that no Wilmot Provso will be passed at this
session, and that the State of California will not be
immediately admitted into the Union
No one believes that Congress can at this session
pass law abolshing slavery in the District. 1t
may be done at another appOrtionment Of Repre-
sentatives, but the time is not yet.
The state Of things in the House is such, that
an election of Speaker cannot be effected without
the adoption of the plurality rule. Neither of the
two old parties prepared for that. Should it be
adopted, it will result in the election of Mr. Cobb
or Mr., Winthrop.
The Senate will on Monday receive Executive
communications from the President, and proceed to
act upon them, with closed doors, of course