The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-20
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence of the Chronicle.
WASHINGTON CITY.

! Another Holyday has come and gone--In
Washington and Columbus, the 9Th January
is observed, by our Legislative bodies, as
Christmas, and New Years. In each case
Legislative business is suspended, without a
suspension of pay, for from one to :hree days
In Washington it only costs the country
$4,000 to $4,000, year, in Columbus much
less.
On the lth Gen. .Cass, made his great
long speech, most Elaborately written, and
gravely delivered, and cgincing as do all the
speeches of that distinguished Senator, much
ability. In this instance, however, | think
he has failed to make favorable impression,
or, indeed to secure the attention necessary,
except to few, to become master of his ar
gument. The Gen. has many friends, some
admirers, some who deem it polite to COM
mend whatever he does, or says, and from
these, it is expected that this effort, to which
he has devoted much thought, will receive
particular lawdation, but am very safe in
saying that among those who read his speech,
for themselves, there are few who will be
convinced that he has succeeded in his main
object, that of justiIying his course towards
Mr.. Clayton.
The reply of Mr.. Clayton, is regarded by
many as most triumphant vndication. The
pubic Will have an opportunity Of reading
the debate, bat few will do so, for, in truth,
the public have but little concern with it,
SO far us it relates to the construction of the
treaty in question, aud the obligations of the
parties to it, it is OF public Importance.
I. .l,.t 81. Al.
Gen. Cass is that, under II mistaken view of
facts, he has wrongIully accused Mr.. Clay
ton, in matter seriously affecting his cha
ractcr as public public officer.
Senator Douglass, from the Senate com
mittee on Territories, has introduced bill 10
organise the Nebrask Territory. This is likely
to.reopen the Slavery extension question. The
territory lies north of $500, the Missouri
compromise line. The bill does not contain the
clause prohibiting slavery which was in the
Ordinance of 1887 to organise the North
West territory. Not only does it omit that
clause, but it expressly provides that, when
States shall be formed there, it may be done
with or without slavery. When Oregon was
admitted into the Union the proyiso in favor
o: freedom was Incorporated in the act by which
that territory was organised. Now il seems
that is TO be excluded, and the exciting sub
jcct OF slavery is to be again introduced into
the Halls of Congress, and if by possibility,
the advocates of slavery are to be further
concliatedl by further concession.
A little more than one year ago a pie dye
was forced upon the national conventions of
both the great parties, at Baltimore to dis
countenance further agitation of the sub
Ject OF slavery. This come from the friends
of slavery, or was done to obtain favor from
that quarter. No man, certainly no re-
publican, whose mind was free could, upon
due deiberation, have believed that such
pledge would be OF any avail. The Ameri-
can people claim and exercise the right of
discussing questions in law, ethcs and politics,
without let or neindrape from any body off
men, however constituted Now, in less
than two years from the time those hasty
pledges were made. to please the slavehod. |
ers. an attempt is made on there behalf to
abolish one of the compromises between the
friends and opponents of slavery. and provoke
every friend of freedom, who is not afraid of
the slave power, to violate those pledges, and
use all ais talents aud his influence TO resist
This aggressive movement.
How constantly are we reminded of the
necessity of vigilance to preserve liberty, Its
enemies are seepless, untring. aud ever
'esdy to strike for power, and dominion. Ia
his, as much as in any former Congress,
here 10 work for the true frlends of equal
lights. There are there, In both branches
iave and talented men who will not shrink
rom the contest. Many of these however
brave, in part by their own ndiscre.on, ,,and
n part by the unceasIng efforts of slayehold.
'rs, been ehorn OF their influence There
are many new members, but little can DO ex-
peeted from most Of them upon these ques.