Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-03-17
poINGs IN CONGRESS-.


During the last two or three weeks, tie
lower house Of Congress, has been almost
entirely diverted from its legitimate busl-
ness by the discussion ofquestions connect
ed with the next Presidency. "The De-
mocracy" are entitled 10 The largest share
of the credit, some of them having made the
Hall the arena on which, as champions OF
various asplrants, to display their zeal and
prowess. The passage at arms was com
menced by Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, young
member from Kentucky, who made Wig
orous assault upon the Democratic Rcpis'r,
heretofore regarded as the chiefparty organ,
for ats over jealous advocacy Of the pre-
tensions of Judge DOUGLASS, and its severe
denunciations of ''all the best and most hon
CURED names of the party" Mr. Back
ENmeGG presented himself, though not con-
icSSedly, as the particular friend OF Gen.
BUTLER, whom the Rcciew had assailed by
name, and, as Mr.. b. intimated, with the
knowledge and appreciation of Judge DOUG
LASS. Several members spoke in reply,
and the discussion was kept up with much
animation. Mr. RICHARDSON, Of Illinois,
disclaimed for Judge DOUGLASS any con-
ncXion with the Reciew, and denied all the
charges made against him. Mr.. MARSHALL,
of California, also came to the rescue. lie
was DESTROYS of preventing he elevation Of
Gen. BUTLER, whose "non-progresSlvc'
course he condemned, and warmly eFpous-
ed the cause Of Judge DOUGLASS, the NOM
ince of his State.
Thus the war has commenced in earnest.
The line of demarkation between the op-
posing forces is distinctly drawn. The one
faction rejoicing in the title Of young De-
mocracy," and Boosting Of its youthful yigor
and new ideas, threatens TO overrun the 9TH
err, whom it stigmatzes and ridicules as
"Old Eogies," wholly possessed by anti
quated notions. We cannot pretend TO be
indifferent to The result of the contest, al
though in one sense we have no part nor
lot IN the matter. The one faction still
cherishes some conservatism, while the 9TH
err as MIR. BREcNENRIDGE said, with "'Young
Democracy for a fulcrum," would "turn
the world upside down."
All this quarrelling among brethren OF
the same faith, members of the one only
true political church, might be very anus
ing to out, siders, but for its injurious effect
upon the business Of the country. While
it is going on important bills which should
have been acted on long ago, are laid aside,
and the affairs of Government are seriously
embarrassed. Il is said that a mum Der OF
cases have occurred where bills, properly
drawn by authorized agents, have been pro-
tested for want Of funds, Congress not hav-
ing made the necessary appropriations
This state of affairs is likely to continue, and
to grow worse and worse, unless the people
in some way rebuke their faithless repre-
sentatiyes.
In addition TO the proceedings alluded to,
we have an account of a disgraceful fiSticull
affair IN the House on Friday, between
two members from Mississippi, growing out
Of political discussion. The fact is, the
House oc Representatives is fast degenera-
ting into most turbulent and disreputable
body, if it has not become such already
We formerly entertained some reverence
for it, as the assembled wisdom OF the
sovereign people, but after looking IN upon
the members in session, we wondered why
any respectable man should desire seat
among them.
o. We have looked into Volume en-
titled, History and Statistics Of the State
of Maryland, according TO thc.returns of the
7th Census Oft the United States, 1S50-pre-
pared under the direction of the Secretary
of the Interior, by JOS. G. G. KENNEDY,
Superintendent of Census.
The author says, in short preface, at
has never been designed to recommend the
publication Of the returns by the States in