The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-16
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 5th, 1854.

MIX I1DIIOR Ill accordance WIN my PROM
Use, jot you down few news items about
Congress and its doings. 1t assembled yestcr
day with an Unusually large attendance of men,
bers, aud in good feeling and harmony. Sen
ator Atchison resigned his Presidency pro tenn
of the Senate, because of his inability to be
present sooner than the Sd or 4th Monday Of
this month; and, despite his earnest protest
Gen. Cass was unanimously chaircd for the
day. Senator Bright has since been elected
the President pro tempore of that body for the
remainder of this Congress, - a no common
honor, nor is it an unmeaning compliment, for
in the contingency of Picrcc's dccohsc he
will assume the duties of our Chief Magistracy
The Presidents Message to both Houses at:
fords general satisfaction. 1t is dgnifed
conservative and statesmanlke document. The
Monroe doctrine is avOwed, and determination
strongly expressed to resist all foreign interior.
ence in our affairs with other governments. -
The Greytown difficulty is thoroughly ex-
planned, and the bombardmcnt of San Juan
completely justified; a reduction of the tariff
the army and navy are recommended, and, in
fine, the message is q clear and perspicuous
statcmant of our domestic and foreign relations.
1t is silent as to Cuba, except so far as our ne
gotiatiOns on that head are influenced by the
avOwal of the Monroe doctrine, and is AMIGA
bic in its tone throughout.
| But there is matter which meets with UNI
versal attention and approval, and that is, the
eminent success of the present administration
in having generally recognized through the
world the just and fair doctrine as a law of
nations-that free ships make free goods, OK
ccpt in the articles cOntraband of war; This
in itself will be an enduring monument of its
wisdom, and service to the country. But it is
not the only great good it has accomplished.
Activity and industry have pcrvaded all the
Departments, and instead of being withheld
until after the holidays the reports on f.
nance and on commerce and navigation &C.
company the message.
The new party called "Know-N N things,"
here, as presume it docs almost everywhere
in the United States, excitcs great considera-
ton. To-day Mr.. Taylor of Tennessee, gave
notice of his intention to ask leave to intro
duce bill for the repeal of all existing natu-
ralizatiOn laws. This topic will be favoritc
one for discussion, and may lead to personal
encounters, certainly to bitterness of feeling in
the House.
1t was argued that the necessity for the res
olution submitted by Mr. Sallcrs, of Md, was
superseded by the Presidents Message. 1t
calls on the President for information in regard
to the meeting of our Ministers abroad at Os-
tend, and in the debate to which it gave rise,
severe structures were INDUCED against Mr..
SOule, our Minister at Madrid. Though the
House refused to send it to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs by one majority, still it is the
expectation that, with view to save the in
terests of the government, which would be
prcjudiced if information were furnished at
this time, it will be tabled tomorrow, or got
rid Of in some other way.
A resolution instructing the Committee on
Ways and Means to report bill reducing du-
ty on railroad iron and allowing credit there
on, was tabled by vote of 81 to II. At
tempt will be made to remove all duty off coal.
1t meets with the hearty approbrtion of the
masses north, and may be successful.
The Administration assumes decided ground
against grants of the public domain for rail-
road purposes. They deem that the railroad
mania in this country needs to be checked. -
This declaration, together with the temper of
the House, allows little hope even with the
most sanguine of such grants at least during
the present Congress. Minnesota has manful-
ly stood the test of her democracy, and may
not be denied what has been 50 literally ex-
tended to the other Territories, and of which
she is so richly deserving but one cannot shut
his eyes to the fact that on all bills for such
purpose, members will look with suspicion and
distrust They remember the alteration of
last year, and are offended at the attempted
imposition. Energy and perseverance, of Mn
ncsotians, however, may cause justice to be
triumphant.
1t is my conviction that this session will be
one of business, SHAT it will be comparatively
quiet and harmonious. Besides the maturing
and passage into law of the general appropri-
alton bills, little else will be accomplished -
The armp may be partially recognized, and
increased, to better protect our frontiers, and
some other matters of urgent necessity may be
attended to-.
shall keep you edvised of matters and
things here during the Session, and until you