The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-01
EafiAaaaks.

Three distinct shocks of an earthquake were
felt IN this city on yesterday at about twelve
O'Clock. But like all other movements here OF
late il was sectional, and local. II was felt only
in one end of the town, and it created great
Consideration in the Executive Department. The
shocks extended down Pennsylvania avenue
but were not felt at the Southern Press office,
Legislative departments of the government.
There is a mysterious sympathy between the
physical and moral world, which neither phioso-
ply nor mesmerism has explained. But it has
been recognized in all ages. The wise and
valiant Romans consulted the auspices and re.
spected omens, portents, and prodigies. 1t was
but the other day that the Potomac overlooked
and carried away the southern sections of the
Long bridge, which connects this city with the
South. This was movement of the elements
for disunion; and straigftway the Wing party
divided-No rth and South. Now an earthquake
has occurred in the same quarter. We happened
not to be present. nor any of our reporters. We
can, therefore, only rely on what we have
heard
The Executive Departments were precipitate
ly deserted by the fugitive chiefs and clerks,
their speed probably quickencd by guilty con
sciences The President, in his flight out of the
White House, betrayed his remorse at not having
the law faithfully executed respecting the Exec
utive Printing, and promised to turn out all the
faithess secretaries. who had violated the law
He muttered something about the jobs he had
winkcd at out Of the itty-three millions of ex
penditure, but his words were lost in the noise
and confusion.
The Secretary of the Navy confessed he had
qulbbled worse than county court lawyer, and
promised to make restitution out of his salary
for The amount of which the Press had been
delrauded by his evasion of the law. The Sec
rotary OF War was horror-struck ut his open
defiance of the law in that case, particularly
after he had prosecuted gallant old soldier,
General TALcoT, for merely neglecing some
trivial regulations Of The department We are
afraid, however, tie Secretary of War relapsed
after the earthquake was over
The Secretary of the Treasury begged for
giveness for having lodged or delayed deci.
sion so long, after promising it promptly-and
pWurised to turn out Of the Department the
Abolition clerks and Southern submission as
sstants, who had misled him. AS for the Post
master General, he despaired Ills numerous
sins rose so tlekly before him, that he offered
to resign Immediately, and give up the mission
to Europe.
The shock Of the earthquake extended of
course TO the Union and Republic Offices The
editor of the Union ran out as fast as his legs
could carry him, the very picture of remorse
offered to give up the coaliton-to give up
Gen. CAss,-and at the third shock, even con.
scented to surrender the extra-allowances made
him by the committee on TowER's bid. As for
General ARMSTRONG, he said, he knew that
something dreadful would happen-that he had
opposed the coalition and would not touch any
of the ill-got'en gains-and that he would dis
solve partnership at once with DoNELsoN. The
editor of the Republic was completely un.
manned, and promised not to compare the Sc.
cessionists with the Freesoilers any more, and
not TO have any more dealings with DoxEL-
SON.
The shock did not extend to Congress-the
Office of the Southern Press interviewed. But
we suppose, Of course that the Committee on
Public Printing grew pale on hearing the re-
port Of IL, and determined 10 make report
themselves to-Congross Of their proceedings.