Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-03
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS.
In the Senate, yesterday, the Fertilization
and Post Office Appropriation bills were sew
orally considered and passed.
Much of the day was occupied in the consid-
Grafton of Executive business.
A resolution was offered, extending the time
for the adjournment of Congress.
The House of Representatives was mainly
occupied with the consideration of the Senate
amendments to the General Appropriation bill,
which was subsequently returned to the Senate,
many of the amendments having been disa-
greed to by the House.
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HAS uIMPERIOUs SPAIN YIELDED TO
OUR JUST DEMANDS s"-THE WASH
INGTON UNION.
We have had occasion, more than once, to
call attention to the many Inconsistencies OF
the Washington Union. The habit of saying
things one day and unsaying them the next
or, as it is usually expressed, of eating ones
words--is bad habit. 1t is bad in a private
man, worse in public Journal but worst OF
all in q grave, steady, metropolitan organ, that
claims to be in the confidence of the govern
ment, and to have very easy and convenient
access to all the sources Of information in re-
gard to public affairs.
Not many days ago we called attention to
the declaration of the Union, in its famous
"Diurnal and Diuturnal" article, that our diff
fculties with Spain had been settled, and ask
ed whence its information was derived. In
stead of answering the question and gratifying
general curiosity, it shut itself up in its shell
like terrapin. 1t was dumb as an oyster. 1t
uttered not word, but maintained stubborn
and provoking silence for ten mortal days.
But when it opened its mouth, it opened it
for the purpose, not Of explanation, not of can
did apology, but of greedily and shamefully
swallowing down its own words.
It's language, on the 18th of July, was as
follows: "Imperious Spain HAS YIELDED to
our just demands for former and later inju'
RES
Here was distinct declaration about a
grave political matter of high moment. 1t Gre
ated surprise. The President had made no
such communication to either house of Con-
gress. The best informed politicians knew
nothing about it. People began to wonder
whether the Union had suddenly become in
spired, or as suddenly gone crazy.
Wonders last we are told, like the blindness
of puppies, for nine days. Whether by design
or by accident, it matters but little which, the
Union kept an on,inous silence for the precise
period Of nine days, plus one, to wit, until the
29th day of July, and then it discoursed as fol-
lows:
at cannot be denied that in the present
state of things in Spain, the use of o .feu mil
lions of money may enable the Executive to
bring all our difficulties ioih that government to
a final and satisfactory settlement. If such
an opportunity should be rendered unavailable
for want of the means provided by Mr.. Banks
dale's bill, it would be matter OF national re-
qret 1t strikes us as one of the cases in which
nothing is rsked in passing the bill, except the
fidelity of the President in the use of the money,
but in which everything connected with one oil
the most interesting national questions of the
age is put to hazard by failing to pass either
that or some other provisional act That the
President deems snch an act necessary, ace hare
a rioht to assume; he has so announced in his
message to Congress; and if the necessity for
IL had ceased we are sure that such intelligence
would not be scitjthcld from Congress. Short
as the time is, we still hope that so grace mat
fer NAV not be overlooked, but that the sugges-
ton Of the President may be yet carried OUT
We would not use rude words for the world
but we cannot forbear characterizing this fiat
contradiction Of its own words as one OF the
coolest pieces of assurance that we have ever
known.
First, on the 10Th of July the Union very
solemnly and pompously proclaims that sim
perious Spain has yielded to our just demands
for former and later injuries"
Secondly, on the 29th of July, it as solemnly
and pompously proclaims that "imperious
Spain has done no such thing.
It contradicts itself, discredits its own testi
mony, and leaves us in state of dubiety as
TO which Of its declarations, or whether either
Of them, can be believed.
Fortunately, the message Of the President
which we publish to-day, comes in opportunely
10 settle the matter. The President says thai
our difficulties with Spain have not been set
tied
Now, the Union should be more cautious ant
circumspect. 1t might place the government
in disagreeable position. 1t might greatly
irritate the fiIlibusters, and play old Harry il
the stock market. But there is as little prof
in Gliding the Union for its inconsistencies a.
there is in scolding child for its 6ckleness, o
woman for her caprices II is as natural t
the Washington Union to change its views ant
eat its words Ia thin diet) as it is to dog Z
bark, cat to purr, or duck to swim.
chameleon is a chameleon the Washington
Union is the Washington Union-and unles
each was subject to change, and to change con
tinually, neither would be ITSELF
MAGAZINES FOR AueUsT.--1he Knick06ocker
filed with excellent literature, from grave I
gay" and the table Of its veteran editor has cor
II nff ria tInn