New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-29
PETIT AND HIS PRESENT
Correspondence of The N Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Aug. 25 1854.
A chiyalrous journal Oftbe City OF Ncw-Oreans hM
distinguished itself by calling Mrs Harriet Beseher
Stowe an old hag This journal has won for It's edteraa
Immortality of fame "a fame that his children child.
rem will. in far off future, wish tor the power
consign to the grave of him who 50 well deservsh
He has few present and will have no future rnatpn
The flowers now blooming in beauty over the grave
little Eva will form an ever-radent garland for ~
brow of the gifted daughter of -England-foIA AW
who has won new honOrs for the noble land Of her
birth.
But there is another lady who demands our notice
She is not one who has gained aurels by the achieve
ments of her pen but simply one who having her hsns
among the freemen of Indiana, has yet earned do
tincton by assuming the defense OF negro Slavery I'd
challenging the authoress of 90 Uncle Toms Cabn'h
the arena of disputatiOn on that subject 81
But what of this LADY, Shall we in resentment etA
her - Fie upon it No We differ w.1ag
from her as to the opinions she expresses. We abhW
those opinions. We detest the influences that hare
led her to adopt them. But we remember that sAs
ID a lady and that no American gentlemen can DO gshv
of uttering dsparaging word In relation to her, nw
of wounding in any matter the sensibities she ~
sesses.
But this lady has husband not unknown to h1s,
and since we doubt not he is Justly proud OF the kf
and accomplished partner Of his life, trust he will
not be offended at utering his name IN tho CO..
necti0n have chosen. 1t is that OF the Hon. Jehn
Petit Senator n Congress from the State OF Indiana
Now, it was upon the motion Of this Senator tAik
in the evening hours of the late session Of Congress
the pay of the Clerks of the Senates Committees VA
increased from four to six dollars per day. As Mr.
Senator Petit is very pure Democrat, very sesl
Ous reformer and very rigid economist it ives Of
course perfectly consistent and proper for him 70
originate this movement Seven times four or tweay'
eight dollars per week, was but starving wages fef
gentlemen engaged in the arduOus duties Ofclerh =
these committees, especially when it is remembered
hiatt tbara ahout m N auph clerks there
are Senator's that the CHEF duties Of many Of neu
are to frank and send off speeches and other decu
ments and to write letters in praise OF their psoss
to distant newspapers. The wages of these CLERKS
during the past session, at "a per day, wat, sN
$59,52O; but at Sc per day amount to $59, 2soj
that Mr.. Pettts motion cost the Treasury aDoss
500 go.
Well, but what of this' and what connecHsa b
there between Mrs. Stowe, Mrs. Petit, Mr. Ssnster
Petit the Senate Committees, their clerks To
wages of these clerks, and the increase Of sseA
wages Let us see. The history of our csuSty
records other achievement Of Mrs. Petit the ~
mable lady Of Mr.. Senator Petit than the produeisa
of the simple letter of which we have spoken. WM
this performance such as these clerks would unsni
mOusly commendl Would their cOmmendatioa amount
to enthusiasm Would that enthusiasm lead 70 .
formal and substantial demonstration II is thought
not and we certainly concur in that opiniea.
Then why did these clerks whose wages was made
fifty per cent higher than they had bargained fer.-
why did they present Mrs. Petit costly service Of
silverl That is the question that people pM AK
That Mr.. Petit, and any little service rendered bJ
him, was thought of in connection with this test:
monia is of course, wholly out of the questions sn1
the question therefore, becomes the perpexing
why was the gift presented II, indeed, il was ~
cause the lady thus hon0red had had the temerityk y
oppose herself in print to the gifted and accOmphsd
Mrs. Stowe, why all others who have essaysdtae
same thing passed over in silence Their name y
gon. They have arisen in succession, approaches ~
New-England authoress as moths approach the aane
corched their feeble wings, and fallen. Is Mrs. Fet
II alone deserving honor These questions sns
deep, profound, overwhelming magnitude. We a.A
patient and mute, await the response of scruhssS
world PATApsO0