The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-27

been obtained under false pretsnoss Patriotism
has been manufactured by contract, like gas. The
experiment has had It's day. The Union wings Of
New York and the North will soon be required to
show their hands. We apprshsnd that the Sewa'.
interest will dictate the creed and the of the
Northern Wig party-we look forit. And now we
come to the pinch. VIII the friends of Mr.. Web
ster act upon the plan of Mr.. Toombs in organizing
an Independent national Union ticket for 1852, or
will they surrender to the superior strength OF the
nulli6ersl There no visible prospect Of the nomi-
nation of Mr. Webster by the wing national oonven-
tiOn-none in the world. Suppose Cen Scott is no
minated upon non committal platform, what will
Mr.. Webster and bis Northern friends do1 They
mus. surrender, or organize an Independent Union
party With the aid Of the Union party Of the
South, there is possible chance for Mr.. Webster;
without it, he is nowhere
In q word, there Is no prospect Of junction
between the Northern and Southern wings.
Sewardism will rule the party in the North and
in the National Convention, if they have one.
Where will Mr.. Webster 60! His friends in Bos-
ton had better open at once correspondence with
Mr.. Toombs and other Union wings, North and
South, for the organization Of a great national
Union party, independent of Philadelphia and Bal
timore, and Of Seward and Van Buren,. Webster
and Cobb might do something on that Union ticket.
The wings cannot nominate Webster-the demo-
Gratis will certainly not His only chance is to close
in with the plan Of Mr.. Toombs. II may come to
that yet. Who knows! II is something to run for
the Presidency, and that ticket will at least give
him a run-probably good run-pessibly q sue
cessful run Who knows? Brethren, let us join in
prayer arc thanksgiving.
The PUBLIC PRINTINs-A PRINTING BUREAU
OF GOVERNMENT. time appointed for the COM
mencement of the first session of the Thirty second
Congress is close at hand-it is but three or four
days distant. Many of the members of the Senate
and OF the House of Representatives are on the
spot, preparing themselves for the business of the
session, or laying plans of political intrigue with
reference to the next Presidency.
There is a vast deal Of business awaiting action,
some of which requires immediate attention; but
very little will be done until after the holidays.
The steam will not be properly up, nor the congress
sonal locomotive be fairly in motion, until after
New Years day. All the preliminary business
such rs the election of officers &c.wl be disposed
of before then. AS this will be the long session,
members will probably devote q good deal of time
to the discussion of the merits of the several cand
dates, and select but those whose appointment
will most subserve the interests and purposes Of the
majority.
The subject of the public prin ling will, as usual
be the subject of intrigue, corruption, and uggery
Of all kinds The Developments that have been
made during the last few years. exhibit such gross
corruption, such a wanton waste Of money aud
such disregard Of the public interests in relation
to the printing Of Congress, as to call for re-
form. Thousands and hundreds of thousands of
dollars have been given to party organs, and other
wise wasted in the public printing. The con-
tract system .has been tried but it failed. That,
too, was tainted by corruption. Bids were made
and accepted at prices which would not pay. The
contractors after failing to perform the work, threw
themselves the mercy of Congress, and asked re-
muneration. Father Richie is now a suppliant,
and asks have his losses made good to him for the
printing of last session.
There is but one method left, and we direc. the
attention of Congress to it. The governm. nt
ought to have printing bureau of its own. It
ought to be independent Of all outsiders. and ali
contractors and all influences, in its printing. II
should adopt the system of the French government,
anu "hiSn wins 81 sunni soiy III enat Vountry. IL
should publish an official paper ike the Monaaar,
containing all government papers, the views of the
administration on public matters, foreign and do
msstic, full and accurate reports Of the proceedings
and debates Of Congress, government advertise
ments, the news of the day, and such information
the administration wishes to communicate to the
public. ltshould have its own editors, reporters,
printers, type, presses, and other materials. In a
word, the government ought to have a complete
and perfect printing establishment Of its own; and
until it possesses one, the public printing will not
be done properly or satisfactorily.
We therefore earnestly call upon Congress to
take this matter into serious consideration. There
is no earthly Jason Why We should not adopt the
French system Ii operates beautifully in that
country, and We are certain 1t would operate here
as well. Let the Washington newspapers sink or
swim on their own merits. There Is no reason why
they should be supported and bols.ered up by the
peoples money.
JOHN JACOB AsroR AND WASHINGTON IRVING
We publish in another part of to.dsy's HERALD,
a curious letter written by Washington Irving, to
correct some erroneous remarks which, it is said,
have got into circulation respecting the generosity
Of John Jacob Aston towards novelists, during the
life Of the millionaire.
John Jacob Astor was an original, and 80 is Wash
ington Irving. The estimate waish Mr. Irving
puts on the character Of Mr.. As.or is, however in