The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-08
FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
A correspondent SAYS


corruption be dried up. Papers, letters an'
other matters, are continually passing through
the mail, sent by private individuals, but bear
ing the magic letters, NJ. G.. The last ! re
ceived was the African Repository from Sam
uel McGill, under the frank of Brown, NJ. G.
All sorts of things are sent under the frank
pictures, books, silk gowns, and fancy articles
generally. One of the latest devices we heard
of was cutting circular hole in a thick docu
ment, stufhng silk dress in it, leaving the fly
leaves entire over it, and then franking it as
a public document. As to the practice OF
sending private letters under the frank of a
member of Congress, it is so common as to ex-
cite no remark. That it is palpable abuse
of the franking privilege is undeniable.
The use of this privilege for circulating
through the country speeches and public docu-
ments, is reduced tosystem. The moment mem
Der has finished his speech, page circulates
a subscription paper in the House, for subscri-
bars to it, when issued in pamphlet form One
subscribes for hundred copies, another for
two hundred and so on the author himself
for thousand or several thousands. Each
man then goes to work, and sends it off to his
constituency. Members keep lists of persons
to whom such matters are TO be franked. nst
always confined to their own district or State
Some, bent upon enlightening the good People
have lists of fifteen or twenty thousands, dis
trlbuted in all the States. composed of native
and naturalized citizens and occasionally the
speeches are printed in German as we'll as
English. In this way Congress becomes an
engine of prodigous influence rvalling the
Press itself in power. Whether the infu-
otherwise, must depend to a great extent upon
the character of the speeches circulated That
they diffuse great deal of political informa-
ton, is unquestionable but the majority of
speeches delivered in Congress are not calcu-
lated, we think to diffuse sound principles; so
that, if they fail to do mischief it is because
they are too feeble to make any impression.
Mr. CABELI the Wing member from Florida,
has written letter to the Albany Register, de-
signed to instruct the Wings of New York how
to discharge their duties as good citizens. He
insists that Mr. Fillmore shall be rcnomiuated
and supported-denomces opposition to him
says that if he is to be sacrificed for the pur-
pose of gaining Abolition votes, then there can
be no further cooperation between the Wings
of the North, and closes with the following
menace
In conclusion, will call your attention to
a fact which would have effect on those who
desire the adoption of political measures more
than the election of particular individual
The Senate of the United States consists of six
ty-two members, of whom twenty four are
Whgs-fourteen from the Southern States
and bat ten, including Mr. Seward, from the
North and Northwest Should the Wing con-
vention succeed in sectionalizing the party, by
attempting to curry favor with Free-Soe
and refuse to nominate Mr. Fillmore or some
one else known by his acts to occupy the same
national and constitutional position the Wing
party, a. n party thus perverted, would and
should cease to exist in the Southern States
Southern Wings would not abandon the prin-
ciples for which they have heretofore contend
ed, but would form national association in
place of those which such sectional party ac-
ton necessarily dissolves; and | venture my
life there will not be one man acting with this
Northern sectional party, calling itself Wing.
whose term expires within four years, returned
to the Senate from IA Southern State You can
not hope TO secure the Senate without the aid
of Southern votes, for all experience has shown
that Northern Democrats are specially skilful
in playing for the votes Of Free-S Sellers and
Abolitionists. This is consideration deserv.
ing the attention of party men, and may inhu-
ence their action if they disregard higher and
nobler feelings of patriotism and nationality
COMMODORE STOCKTON has surprised many
OF his friends, by coming out as eulogist of
Daniel Webster, an admirer of the old Fcder-
alists, and an advocate of Protection Why
should anybody be surprised! The public
men who put through the Compromise and
have been sustaining it, have felt bound to
stand by each other; and as to Tariff, in
what does the Commodore differ from Mr. Bu-
chanan! But will some one tell us in what
the democracy of these gentlemen consists!
LIBERATION OF THE IRISH rAlLES.-l ne
Dublin Freeman's Journal of the 9th March
says
1T is reported that orders have actually
been issued from tho Colonial Office or will
shortly be issued, directing the immediate re-
lease Of the Irish exiles, subject to the condition
that they are not to return to any part OF the
British islands. Mr. Wbiteside NOV mem
Der of the Derby ADMINISTRATOR had been an
active intercessor for their liberty"
II this be SO, we suggest to General Cass and
our other philanthropic statesmen that they
may now find leisure to show their humanity
in the case of Drayton and Sayres,
THE OLD MEN's COMMITTEE AND THE
You've MEN's COMMITTEES of the Democrats OF
New York city, have concurred in recommend
ing General Cass for the Presidency. The New
York Epening Post says that at the time the
resolution was passed about third OF the
members were present the minority having
stolen march on the majority.
Tnr SOUTHERN RIcHrs CONVENTION, that
met at Milledgeyille, Georgia few days ago,
re- affirmed the Baltimore resolutions and APP
pointed delegates to the Baltimore Convention,
who were left uninstructed as TO candidates,