Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-02-16
Correspondence Of the Phila. Ledgerl
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1856

WAsHINGToN, Feb. II, 1850.
The arrival Of so sensible and experienced
man as DR.. Gwin, Senator elect from Cali.
fornia, cannot but be productive OF good at
the present crisis in the affairs Of our coun-
try. He is, as you are aware, a Mississip-
plan, has always been warm Calhoun man;
and ye, is so thoroughly impressed with the
moral and physical impossibilily of introduc-
ing slavery into any part of California, north
or south OF 80 deg. 80 min, that his opinion.
cannot fail TO exercise a commanding inhu-
ence on the deliberations Of Congress. Nei-
iher he, nor the delegation, (Messrs. Wright
and Gilbert: are over anxious for the adms-
sion of California during The present session,
provided that, by waiting, the excitement on
the slavery question can be allayed, and
peace established between the Southern and
Northern sections of the Union Now, il the
Members and Senators elect Of that State are
willing TO bide their time, why should not the
fanatics of either section, who have only
distant prospective good or evil al stake, imi-
tate their example!
The Quaker petition, praying for a peace.
able dissolution of the Union, presented by
Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire was to day,
after much useless discussion on Friday last,
rejected by vote OF SO to 3---,he only Sena-
tors voting for lis admission being Seward
Chase and Hale, Among these three Hale is
believed the most honest msn,-all three,
however, have pretty nearly run their race
in the Senate. As TO Gov. Seward, his politi-
cal eptaph seems already 10 have been writ
ten. II run. thus
"It must soon be done for,
wonder what begun for ,"
II is rather hard case, for Presidential
candidate of these United States, 10 vote for
the admission of petitions praying for The dis
oluion OF the Union
Gen. Cass made mos, excellent, philo.
sophical and statesmanike speech OH the
subject of this peaeeab,e dissolution of the
Union, which is really most mischievous
and gross humbug He showed that disso.
luton and war are one and inseparable that
the borders OF the two sections into which
the Union would be divided would, in less
than year, brisile with hostile bayonets; /;
that every hill would have lis works of de-
fence, and that our Standing armies would
be devourng the substance of our people -
And he also showed that the right of petition,
in regard 10 which so much fuss is made, is
just nothing at all. In monarchy it is most
important that the subject should be heard ;
but in this country the people themselves are
sovereign, and the proper way 10 present Pc
titions is through the press and the ballot
boxes. Where every office in the country is
in the sifi Of the people-in a country where
elections never cease--where the people
have righ, TO demand and instruct and ex-
press their sentiments on all public occasions,
the right Of petition has no more meaning
than The clubbing of knishhood. Cen Cass
understands the difference between our co.
vernment and the snperanuated monarchical
forms OF Europe better than any statesman
here in Washington, and is always striking
and conclusive in his comparisons. These
are questions taking higher rank Than iha, of
the right Of petition, and among these are
assuredy those which relate 10 the perma.
nency of our institutions and of the Union.
Mr.. Berrien, to-day, commenced his speech
on the Slavery question, dissenting in toto
from Mr. Clay, and from the administration
! am sorry 10 say Mr.. Clay's Compromise
Resolutions will not receive more than five
or six votes, il indeed so many. Mr. CAL
houn will speak on Thursday or Friday.
In Executive Session, to-day, Gen. James
Watson Webb, ''as PREDICTED" was reject.
ed by an overwhelming vote. Out OF all the
Senators, bu, seven voted for his confirmation.
large number were absent, avoiding the
responsibility Of the Courier and Enquirer =
General Cass, Col. Benton and Harry Clay,
voted against him with mole or less feeling.
can imagine how Mr.. Clay's eyes sparkled
| when he saw that head cut of which had
been 80 active in procuring The nomination of