New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-15
BY THE MIDNIGHT SOUTHERN HAIL.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Affairs at Washisgton.

Arlington presents az this moment a most ain
gular appearance. 0utwkrdly it bears an aspect
Of deep and general mourning There is every.
where decent face of wee Politicians wear il.
citizens wear it, and strangers participate in it.
But beyond tina. and outside the circle OF the Pres.
idents family and personal friends there is 10 feel
ing or appearance Of bereavement His place is
already flled-adequatey filed say one party,
ably filed say all.
This mourning pageant presents one remarkable
festure-an men speak well Of the dead There
are very few living men in respect to whose char.
acter the voice Of public approval and public eulogy
would be SO loud, so general or so sincere. His
memory has already deepened into a conviction
canonized by that stesdfastness to principle for
which he was so distinguished, thsthe Wholesome
star in Heaven for the present and let Us hope more
than one future race. When such man passes
from being living example, seen and appreciated
only by few TO become historic light observa-
bic by country il is impossible there could be in
the public heart deep felt woe. Its grief is min
gled with pride and promise and hope.
And this is precisely, as far as | can judgelt, the
public sentiment. But while the warrior is receiv
ing such unanimous homage at the White House
where the people crowd TO take last farewell
and while the hustle Of preparation for the great
display OF TO morrow is everywhere visible there
Is scarcely tree In the public grounds or even
the streets under whose shade some small group
Is not seen anxiously discussing the chances and
hazards of the future.
Some men confidently predict the speedy triumph
OF the Compromise bull and In view OF their hope
they say the whole Cabinet goes out and that the
counsels of Henry CLAY will rule their successors
until after the ofhis bill when he viii be able
70 assume the direction OF affairs. l cannot voach
for the correctness Of this rumOr by any reliable
tholity. 1t is 70 great extent the conviction or
at least the hope of the Loco Foco party, who see
in the settlement Of the Slavery question an in
aispensabe preliminary to their own success
Others there are, and not few, and believe men
of ell shades of politics who foresee the worst evils
from the settlement Of the Slavery quarrel while
mems minds are in angry and heated transition
Ther argument s, that the South will be dissatis-
fed, and that disappointment and wounded jeal.
Ousy will accelerate rapture, the result Of which
must be calamtous. They say, "leaye things as
they are and let time and reason, and calm reAec.
ton sway the counses and the feelings of indiYdu
ais and Of States.
For myself think differently. The question is
an irritating and a dangerous one. IL has been
long enough God knows, discussed. 1t now awaits
a prompt, bold and decisive determination. Such
determination could not be expected at the hands
Of feeble majority opposed by the whole strength
Of the Executive Administration. But II is fully
within r. ach Of minority, sustained by the great
bulk of Congress and & stl larger proportion 1.-THE
people IL may curb Tor a while the naughty aspi-
ra.ioIs oil the South and the oyerheGted zeal of A0
olitionists and both may fret and chafe for day,
but it is safer, far safer to try the experiment now,
and trust 70 Justice and vigor, than 10 allow the
riynries and ealOusies to deepen with deadlier
hate, until fellow citizens would come TO regard
each other as public enemies. There will be risk
at all times Meet il while il is least and when
there are union and yigor and courage 70 cope
with it.
SATURDAY, Il O'Clock
Whatever may be the wisdom or impolicy Of arg
ing the Compromise bill, the point is by all &C.
counts already determined. The new President
is fully prepared to frame his Cabinet with view
TO its success, Of which the offer Of its leadership
10 Mr.. WEBSTER is a frank and bold proof The
Southern Wings loudly approve Of this offer, re-
gardipg it as concession TO Southern interests,
and q guarantee against what they are pleased 10
call the inroads Of the North. How far the ap.
pontment would be a guarantee for hrmness, wis.
dom and extended patriotism in the administra
ton, Of the paramount interests of the United
States how far il may serve TO consolidate our
relations Of amity with Foreign friendly powers,
and command the respect of unfriendy ones, is a
question which public gossip does not fret itself
about such, in this case, as in most others Of the
same kind, is the ascendancy OF petty consdera-
tons over the great questions that involve the sta.
bility Of valuable Institutions, the permanent Sc.
curity Of liberty, and the highest blessing Of our
species.
Before | close this letter you shall have the on
dts as far as can collect them, without reference
TO what party, or section Of party, may be inter
ested in having them realized.
The funeral cortege has Just pissed. To my
mind, it was not as imposing as it should be. do
not take interest in public exhibitions, and cannot
properly appreciate the value Of this. In my esti-
mate, twas valuable so far as it represented the
unaustentatious dignity OF brave man and self
relying people. AS mere spectacle as compared
with military exhibitions in Europe, it was very
triniDg but a. indicative Of the union and compa-
tbility Of civil and military institutions, and mill
tary strength without display. Gen. TAYLOR's fu.
neral was gratifying and noble sight. The whole
procession occupied exactly three quarters Of an
hour passing under my window. Details will Of
course be furnished TO you by the papers.