The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-21
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MAILS.
Our Washlngton Correspendence.


WASHINGTON, January 10, 1850.
The Ssrenth TYesk Of the Session.
Seven weeks of the session have expired. They
have been FILTERED away in the Ssna~ upon mere
performances, and in the House upon an organiza-
ton which is net yet complete After electing two
or three doorkeepers, and reversing the decision
IN each case, the wise men of the lower branch
wisely resolved to-day to give up the struggle in
disgust and motion made postponing the
election of doorkeeper and postmaster till the 4th
day of March, 1851 On Monday, however, it is
Just as likely anything else that this decision
VIII be reversed and that several days more will be
devoted TO the doorkeeper and postmaster. How
the Union is to stand together through the session
without the election OF doorkeeper, it is impossi-
BILE to find out. ''Mastery inactivity" the course
OF the President on the slavery question, though
resolved upon with respect 10 the doorkeeper, IS
not satisfactory The democrats desire a new
doorke eper and the wings want a new postmaster,
and these can only be had by perseverng in an
election But seriously, tor once, 1t is TO be hoped
that the resolution adopted will stand, and that the
House Will go T. business.
Seven weeks of the session have been expended,
and one bill passed granting the franking privilege
10 the w,ow OF the late President Polk. But this
very hesitation in the legislative business, that
must he performed, only tore shadows the more
strongly The dangers OF the crisis The ghost of
Samuel, the prophet, is called up, and he must be
heard.
We believe that there are some symptoms of
alarm among Northern men, at the determined po-
sltion assumed by the South. There appears,
also, sCme disposition 10 compromise OF some
sort with Texas and New Mexico; but the only
thing Inch Is likely TO be- done with California Is
10 admit her into the Union. IL is probable that
the next steamer will brng MS the members and
Stnalorssirom III DOrsdo, and their constitution, for
the eCuon ot CsDgftss. i Is probable that, after
fierce struggle, the oil OF admission, proylso and
all, viii pa-s, aud that il Will be signed, and that
then there VIII follow some scenes akin 10 revolu-
ton, and arrests for treason; for be 1t understood
that General Taylor has declared that he has
raj plans Tor preyehtng d sunion, and some OF his
friends suppose that he Will not give the seeding
members 81 G. ngress, it they do secede on his
signing the California bill, sufficient time 10 get
out OF Washington
But, on the other hand, the adhereHis of the
Union rest upon the chances for a compromise,
either according TO the bill Of General Foote, or
the compromise line Of General Houston, run
through to the Pacific, which seems TO be the
simplest and readlest form of all. Failing IN a
compromise, we have the prospects of "non-inter-
venuon, " mastery inactivity 10 tall back upon,
such they are. California may be postponed,
and mere temporary regulations for the territories
may sIsweT ill the mex SESSION.
But viewed IN any light, and from any point
whatever, the administration stands in a most re-
sponslb.e and critical rosition, and the Union IL
self ia already seriously weakened In the sympa-
tbles destroyed between the two sections.
We douot not, that during the coming week,
we shall have some most important devel ope-
ments on this all mi ortant question OF slavery.