The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-12
Our Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1854
Affairs in Washingon-WhS the Sellers Resolution ,cas
Defeaed- Wdshingonion Reception Of tie Aessage-Is
Franklin Pierce Statesman death Of Pvesly Elciag
-Ealogy of Milton s. Latham.
AS you already aware, Congress adjourned
on Thursday last till Monday, the 11th inst
Since the day of adjournment there has been no
excitement in Washington city, either in politics
or morals. Everybody to consider it the best
policy to keep Those in favor of and in the Sc
crets of the administration adopt it as rule to say
only what they forced to- and those opposed say
time enough to speak when Congress in session So
between the two, nothing is known Of the future
ceptng what is dropped from those who on bus"
during the respite and which, at the best of times
should be received with much incredulity nasmu ,h
men in this humor speak from their prejudces and
from their judgment. Politicians here are much disap-
pointed that the Sellers resolution calling for Information
relative to the Ostend conference defeated and ar
butte its defeat to that disposition of mankind
which will not allow dead to be nsuted BY
kick They say the administration Is gaspng in death
and it is exhibition Of brutality not to allow IL to
die in peace, rather than be dealing blows of just udg
nation upon expiring clay. SO from this, to sup
pose it to pity and not to justice the present heads Of
the indebted for being forced by the
representatives of the people to lay the facts of the
Ostend conference before them Perhaps you are ex-
pectng, have expected that should say something
OF the way in which the Presidents message recev
ed in this place. II you have been entertaining any
such expectations as those suggested all have to say
BY way of excusng myself for disappointing you, is
that the Presidents message here not subject Of com
ment pro or con- Among officials IL is regarded az O
formula which, considering the state Of affairs would
have been honored in the breach than the observ
anse, If custom had not demanded something from
the corporeal substance which presides the
Cabinet have delayed writing for days past
expecting during the Of the legislative bodies the
message of the President would be made theme for
But my hav vp bpcn
very much disappointed far as desired to learn by
this means the public sentiment respecting the Pre-
sident annual exposition Of affairs The Washingto
public seem to regard the message as subject "not
worth talking about" unless is and then to crack
joke over the absurdtes in It contained just
would visit the theatre to witness comedy which was
expressly written to excite the sbties Of audier ce
II Mr.. Pierce is statesman, he will be compelled to
write something besides the message just circulated to
convince the world Of this fact To suppose him
statesman is only to suppose him trying his genius to
the utmost at present to make himself ridiculous that
the contrast may be favorable when he actually
bursts forth like hundergust astonish
the world If President cut out by nature
to be large potato then it Is passing Judgment be-
fore nature has performed his work crtcise the
ticle while it is "small' taking another view Of
hood what she evidently intended joke upon mankind
for to President into statesman is either to
bring down the intellect Of society to his level regard
Clay, Webster and Calhoun monsrositles The Pre-
sdent or in other words the administration being placed
in such lamentabe position the result sset up''
OF so much PROMISE as that with which they started,
forces upon all unpreudiced minds the conviction that
the appropriate song for the inaguraton OF March a.
1853, would have been
my name was Captain Kidd,
A. sailed, as sailed;
Ny name was Captain Kidd,
As l sailcd.''
This is all have to say OF the Presidents message
And thus endeth my first lesson"
Speaking Of the present adjournment Of Congress till
Monday, calls up TO memory the man in respect 10 whom
this adjournment was made Presley Ewing, late
Der of Congress from Kentucky since the last session
those who possessed the faculty Of encsrne them
selves to all with whom they came in contact. Ths'
M Lived the hm sa Of py Ewing
bitter enemies his purity Of purpose always
demanded respe,t. The announcement Of his death
but fact, which unlocked the doors Of grief In every
boscmalke In partisan friends and political foes. In
@ s s m s ens the
and Badger Among others in the House Of Repre- senta
tves, cannot refrain from giving passing compl-
ment 10 Hon. Milton S. Latham Of California whose eo
quence eulogy and grief for the departed went side by
side Mr. Latham is considered OF the abest men OF
the House, and his farewell II may call II so--of his
departed friend added much to mis- wen founded reputa
ton during Mr.. Iatham's eulogy upon Mr. Ewing he
was listened 10 with breathless attention. and all for
getting partisan feelng compmented him at Its close.
NELLIE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1854.
Yse Proposed Board Of Claims ossend and President
Pierce-collins sSteomers-Kno,c Nofhings-Rerolutioy
in Peru-Bogoto-- ilibustsging-Pdcifc Roisroad--
GEN Rusk's vieus DC. dc
NJ. Erodhead's bill for establishing Board OF Claims
IL rapidly growing into favor and the surprise
that such board has not been established long since
II would not only relieve Congress from enormous
amount or annoying and much shameful legislation but
1t would save millions Of dollars to the public treasury
arrest NJ Il would most eectualy the allowance Of
claims undtr the "log grolling ystcm-a system which
is now pursued in Congress to frishtful extent
The Board should he in the nature of court Of justice,
and with = jurisdiction sufficiently wide to embrace
every description Of claim.