Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-28
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. "a, ls

WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. "a, 1850.
The two Houses adjourned over, to-day, until Mon
day, the Senate according usage of that very deli
beratue body the House of Representatives probably,
from disposition, the part OF majority OF the
members to talk in private the different aspects oil
the -engrossing sectional topic Nothing OF any con-
sequence was done in the House The session OF the
Senate was mark ed by short speech from Mr.. Clay
on his motion to purchase the original manuscript Of
Washngton's Farewell Address, which is described by
those who had the good fortune to hear it, being in
his highest style OF eloquence.
Mr. Clay seems to be universally looked to as the
man, above all Others who possesses the personal inu
ence perform signal service to the country in its pre-
sent alarming emergency. A slight retrospect OF the
past and glance at the present attitude of sectional
parties, will exhibit in convincing view the Importance
OF his position. Soon after the with Mexico be-
gan, the question of acquiring Mexican territory was
raised in Congress. The Northern Democrats came
forward and said that they in favor OF acquisition,
but they gave warning that they would insist upon the
exclusion of slavery from the territory that should be
acquired The Northern Wings took ground against
all acquisition, and likewise gave warning that if an
nexaton forced upon them they would insist upon
The exclusion OF slavery. With this foreknowedge Of
what the action Of the North would be the Democratic
party, having the administration and majority in Con-
gress carried the fatal policy OF acquisition The Con-
gress which made the purchase expired and this winter
new one assembled in Washington. At the outset, it be-
manifest that the almost united purpose of the
Northern majority to fulfil their promise The organ
1aton OF the House Immediately to be followed by
The passage ofthe Wilmot Provso and abolition in the
District Hence the OF few Southern Whips
in contributing to arrest the organization tor nearly
whole month That delay was intended to have the
effect OF mpressng upon Northern members the certainty
that it they persisted in their purposes the Union would
be in critical danger How tar they have been shaken
the resolution with which they together is yet to
be tested. believe many OF them would now be glad
avoid the measures, which, the LIST OF December
they fully determined to carry; but they have be-
hind them pressure Of public sentiment which they
fear 10 oppose The language OF the conservative
s would be glad to escape from these questions but
if they presented obliged vote as our peo-
pie wish u.s. In short, they want sufficient excuse to
their constituents. The South give them ustlt-
cation which no patriotic constituency mpeach-
1t tell them. with united voice. that what they
propose do will unquestonably meet with resistance
Convince them of this and they will be able to put the
Union between themselves and their constituents Ii
hard thing, however, for retreat from posi-
tion which they have undertaken to maintain If Mr.
Clay. therefore, Southern statesman, with all his
Northern popularity, will step forward to propose set
element OF the dispute satisfactory terms to both
parties, he may accomplish inestimable good l am
confident, he is meditatng such mediation and if it
shall be crowned with success, his name as the Preser
OF the Republic, will deserve and receive reyer-
ence, all ages come only exceeded by that which
is felt for its Founder
In this whole unhappy contest the South has assumed
ground which it is her obvious policy to hold consis
tenty She has always professed her readiness to as
sent any fair compromise of the Territorial question
In that position she clothes herself with panopy OF
justice, which gives her the utmost moral strength Let
er steadily maintain it, with resoute purpose to yield
nothing farther, and all will be we'll II otherwise it
will be the North and the South, who will have
Calculated the value Of the Union"
find that very variant views prevail amongst South
members of Congress the course which it is
pedent for them to pursue 1t much TO be desired
that some concert OF sentiment could be attained
amongst them. Different modes OF meeting the anti
slavery propositions introduced in the House are se-
gested One by the process OF legislative delays
with the yeas and nays, prevent the passage OF any
the obnoxious measures during the present Congress
Another is for Southern members to remain in their
ats, and refuse to vote but this accompshes
suit 1t is also under consideration to hold a confer
ence, and agree upon some scheme of compromise, to
be presented as the utmost that will be accepted
The policy OF The Northern members will probably
be press bill for the admission of Calitor-
MIA State, and then some of them may be content
lay the Wilmot Provso the table for the present
session Whilst majority of Southern would
doubt be given against the admission OF California
nnder these circumstances, few would be prepared
say that the passage Of the bill would be ground Of re-
sstance The inherent right OF the people to form
government for themselves, and the conceded power o
Congress admit new State, make the question
very different from that involved in the Proviso
Mr. Butler, of South Carolina, delivered very
strong and stirring Speech to-day, in the Senate in sup
port OF the bill to enforce the provision of the
lion fugitive slaves.
The readers OF the Times must pardon me for deyo-
ling my letters to the only subject that is thought OF
talked of here
see the Enquirer does understand the statemen,
in my despatch, that the drift of Cen Casss first days
instalmen was hard 10 get at il was unquestionaby
TO me, for l met with who could tell me
what the purpor OF his argument and during the
lime that heard him, under very untavorabe circum-
stances true could catch one distinct proposition
ofhis He was mostly engaged in reading variety
OF extracts, with scarcely any commentary between-
The speech was doubtless in print whilst he was speak
ng and he evidently designed it TO be read rather than
heard admit, he is very Ineligible, he appears in
the papers, both against the Wilmot Proviso, and in
favor of the other doctrine, which was equally pro.
scribed by the Virginia Democrats. w c, c.
SENATORIAL COMPLIMENTS.
The Union, of Wednesday, after stating that
MIR. Calhoun had been seriously indisposed with
peripneumony, but was then convalescent, re-
marks:
General Cass, referring to his absence paid him a
beautiful compliment, in the of his yesterdays
speech"
Looking over the speech of Gen. Cass, we find
the following alusion to Mr.. Calhoun:
And distinguished Senator from S. Carolina goes
yet further in the denunciaton of this recognition OF hu
rights, and says that of all the positions ever taken
hold that which claims the power Tor them Che power
of legislation tor the Tertores) be the most absurd
And why2 l give the true point OF the objection Be-
cause the United States the sovereign And how
can sovereignty the ultimate and supreme mower ri u