Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-11
CHIvALRY ILLUSTRATED.


erbocker.
CHIvALRY ILLUSTRATED
Last winter, the majority Of the Senate, at
the dictation of the Power that rules this Gov
eminent, excluded Messrs. Chase and Sumner,
two Of the most able lawyers and bcst-read
men in that body, from any respectable posi-
tions on the Standing Committees, because they
did not choose to fall down and worship the
fetish which commands the homage Of the
dwelling tribe of politicians.
The notice taken of this magnanimous con-
duct was such, that this year there was some
hesitation at repeating the experiment The
Democratic Caucus, by an extraordinary effort
Of heroism, ventured 80 far Ms to provide for
Mr.. Chase, whose business habits and expert
ence render his services on any committee in
valuable; but the Wings unable to rival this
daring act, suffered Mr.. Sumner to drop al
though requested by the opposite Party to pro-
vide for him.
The constitution Of the Select Committee on
the Pacific Railroad affords another illustration
Of the ignoble spirit of sectionalism that reigns
in the Senate. Soon after the commencement
of the session. Mr.. Chase submitted resolu.
tion that the Committee on Roads and Canals,
(of which he is q member) be instructed to in
quire into the expediency of constructing q
road from the western boundary of the Missis-
sippi States to California-thus taking the in
itiative in that great work. Not long after
wards, he called up his resolution, and Mr..
Gwin moved an amendment to it (which was
carried) ordering a Select Committee on the
subject. The resolution, as amended, passed
According to Parliamentary usage or courtesy,
Mr.. Chase was fairly entitled to the post Of
Chairman Of the Select Committee; but be-
longing to neither Of the ruling party organi-
Nations it was not surprising that the custom
airy rule should be disregarded, and Mr.. Gwin
be selected as Chairman Still, it was the gen.
eral expectation that he would be appointed q
member Of the Committee This was absolutely
required, not by courtesy, but by Justice; for
il was on his motion, after all projects in rcla
ton to Pacific Highway had failed in the last
Congress, that resolution was passed, author
izing the President to institute a series of ex-
plorations of the different routes proposed for
the road, with view Of submitting whatever
information might be collected to this Congress
Under that resolution, explorations have been
actively going on, and q great mass Of invaluable
information has been obtained Nor did Mr.
Chase intcrmit his labors after the adjourn
ment Of Congress He brought the subject be-
fore the People OF the West, and his services
were noticed in the most honorable manner by
the Authorities and People Of St. Louis.
In view OF all this, and Of the fact that he
had taken the initiative in the business in the
Senate this session, it was due to him that he
should be placed on the Select Committee.
So thought the caucus that arranged the mat
ter for the final decision Of the Chair; but il
will surprise the country when il shall learn
that from this Select Committee as named by
Mr.. Atchison, President pro tenn Of the Sen
ate, the able Senator from Ohio has been sz-
GUIDED Here are the names
Mr.. GwrS, Of California Chairman.
Mr. BRIGHT Of Indiana,
MIR. RUsK of Texas,
Mr.. DOUGLAS Of Illinois,
Mr.. BELL of Tennessee,
Mr.. EvERETT Of Massachusetts,
Mr.. SEWARD Of New York,
Mr.. GEYER Of Missouri
Mr.. Evans Of South Caroline
Any ono OF whom could have bem quite as
well spared majority Of whom could have
been better spared, than the man who (since
Mr.. Benton's retirement from the Senate) thus
far has devised the only measures in that body
relating to the road, Of any practical value.
Does any man imagine that, had Mr.. Chase
bent his knee to the dark spirit Of Slavery, he
wonId have been thus proscribcdi How long
do the supporters Of the peculiar institution 7
think they can thus arrogate 10 themselves oil
honor and powerf II has come TO this, that q
man must swear by negro slavery before no is
considered entitled TO political position, or even
social equality.
For one, we reject the tcst defy those who
propose, and detest and scorn those who ae-
cept, it.
The People Of Missouri win appreciate Mr.. Atch-
scns devotion 10 their interests whom they learn that
the name Of Mr. Geyer, whom sickness and absence
win probably prevent from giving any attention 10
tho business Of The Committee was substituted for
that Of Mr. Chase, the known and active friend Of
the Central route