Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-10
From our washington Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1855.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1856.
Increase of the Army-A NaudI Retired List-De-
feat Of the Minnesota Railroad SpecuLators-
French tSp0tiGtiOn Blu, ruznored ret0-ModtJfca-
tion Of the 1ar!T-A Test Vote to be taken
R1oso Nothings at the South--Mr. SZilelps cleo
tion a Knoso Nothing Defeat.
The Senate during the past week has been prnci-
pally engaged in the consideration of the army ap-
preparation bill, the immediate subject under consid
Grafton being the adoption of the necessary
ures to prevent Indian depredations on the from
tiers, and protect the emigraIts route to Cafor-
mia and Oregon. The President not long since
commended the calling out of three thousand volun-
teers mounted rangers, to meet the impending emer
gency; but the Senate seemed inclined rather to
authorize an increase of the regular army, by the
addition of three four regiments 1t has led to
long debate, bringing up the whole subject Of the
management of our Indian AFFAIRS but nothing prac-
tical as yet has been agreed upon. The President
has called the attention of Congress specially to this
matter, and it now lies with that body either to
adopt his suggestions to provide other for
the protection of the frontiers and the immigrants
On Friday, the Senate passed small bill creating
a retired list in the navy. Of its merits have had
no opportunity to form opinion, but any measure
to rid the naval service of the inefficient, will be
much gained to the navy. The naval committees of
the two Houses despair of securing consideration
for the extendeded measures of reform which they
contemplated, and which were recommended by the
efficient Head If the Navy Department. and have
therefore determined to press single measure of
reform. 1t has already passed the Senate without
dissenting voice.
The House has devoted the past week almost en-
trey to territorial business having set apart for
consideration at this time. On Monday the Judi
ciary Committee presented report relative to the
attempt of certain railroad company chartered by
the Acknowledgements Minnesota possession
of eight hundred thousand acres of land some
account of whose operations gave on former
casion The committee recommended that Congress
signify its dissent from the act of the territorial
legislature and the resolution of disapproval
Immediately passed So these spectators de-
feated at last. The company consisted principally
of New York operators, and the whole scheme
a stupendous fraud upon the government, persisted
in with boldness and determination that marks the
desperate character of its managers. New York
has still spectators in Wall street worthy
of confidence than the celebrated Robert Schuyler.
He is only type of large class whose business it
is to prey upon their fellow and especially upon
the government
The Senate has not yet proceeded to act upon the
the French spoation bill passed by the House, al
though its friends have made two efforts to
take up. Its passage in the Senate is calculated
on with certainty, but Washington is greatly eN-,
cited over rumors that the President NAV veto the
bill. There is nothing in the constitution that limits
the veto power of the President to unconstitutional
hasty measures; on the contrary, although Con-
gress would seem to be the proper Judges of the re-
sponsibv of the Government in the case of claims
against it, it is the duty of the President to approve
disapprove, and consequently he has the right,
and it is his duty, to consider and examine the
its Of every bill, and upon this only to rest his &C
ton. When member of Congress, he OPP
ponent of these claims, and hence the claim agents
fear, and the opponents of the bill hope that the
President will see proper to protect the Treasury
from this spoliation.
1t was the intention of the chairman of the COM
mittee of ways and means to call up Oh Thursday
the bill to modify the tariff for the purpose of test
ing the sense of the House to any change at all.
On account of the absence of many members, the
consideration of the motion postponed until
Wednesday next 1t is understood that instead of
general modification of the tariff it is proposed to
reduce the rate of duties twenty per cent changing
the classification of two three articles The prin
ciple of the present tariff will remain untouched
while the average duties will be twenty per cent.
less. The tariff men support unanimously the
tariff 1916, and all their efforts combined against
any reduction; one thinks of urging increase.
The reelection of Mr.. Slidell to the United States
Senate by the Legislature of Louisiana, total
defeat of the Know Nothings of that State, who
used every effort to elect Senator of their own
stripe This defeat in the first southern State where
their strength has been tested, indicates with
certainty the result in all the southern States The
confidence manifested by know nothing organs is
put for effect. If their candidate for alderman in
county town is successful it is set down great
victory and trumpeted in all the papers. But when
defeated they wisely (for themselves say nothing,
whatever they may know. Ii. the southern States,
where isms of all sorts are held in abominaton, and
the great of people take time to think before
embracing idea this new organization seems
likely to destroy entirely the Wing party, while it
cannot possibly become sufficiently strong to con-
troll majority at the polls. L take it that greater
number of wings will decline all connection with the
association, than Democrats be led away by its
Establishments. 1t is opposition to Republicanlsm
and to the Democratic party in form; this has
become so palpable that no Democrat can remain in
the association and continue entertain democratic
principles. 1t is only necessary therefore for Dem
stick to their principles and to their party
organization, to maintain the supremacy they now
enjoy The Wing party as party is already down
nv a a
those who formerly co-operated against the Demo
cratic party necessarily excluded. If these
unite with the Democratic party it is so much
gained and if not, at all events, it is loss to its
enemies. 1t is nothing then but the secresy of the
operations of this society that gives it consideration,
and this is feature of political organization that
should keep every good citizen out of it. Let Dem
ocrats stand to their colors and know nothingsm
will be buried alongside of the Wing party.
Every reasonable calculation goes to show that it
cannot prevail in the southern States if Democrats
do their duty to themselves their principles and their
party. MECkLENBURG.
GENERAL WILSON, MASSACHUSETTS, STILL
ABoLImoNIsT-WHAT SAY THE KNOW NOTHINas
Read the proceedings in another part of this paper,