The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-12-28
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the POstl
WAsHINeTON, Dec. u.

organization does take place, should despair
of ever seeing the factious and discordant
materials of which the House of Representa-
tives seems to be composed, approach any
nearer such consummation than they are
at present. But as most of the honorable
gentlemen are known to be "hard up for TIM,
many believe they will not be able to hold
out much longer. Boarding-hOuse and ho-
tel.keepers are growing restless and impor-
tunate, and candor constrains me to say that
members of Congress are not permitted to
avail themselves of the credit system to a
greater extent than other people. The opn-
ion prevails generally that under the pecu-
mary pressure some sort Of an organization
will be effected by Christmas.
You will have noticed that Mr.. Banks,
who is the favorte of the Black Republicans,
has not been able to rise above the vote l
gave you in my last. The democrats stick
to Richardson ''like grim DEATH" and the
vote for Fuller remains at about one thing
1t is evident the democrats are influenced to
the course they are pursuing by the hope to
make capital for the Presidential campaign.
If they can force the national Know Moth
ings into the support of Banks, they believe
it will destroy the party at the South. Could
the latter overlook the insult offered to them
by the action of the democratic caucus, and
90 to the support of Richardson, the result
would be equally disastrous. In my view,
the national Know Nothings took the right
"shu.e" at the commencement of the strug-
gle, and if they persevere to "the bitter end"
they are safe.
There are twenty men in the House who
would discharge the duties of presiding Of
ficer with eminent ability and satisfaction;
but where all are refractory, compromise is
almost out of the question. Many of Banks
friends think he will be elected finally From
all | can learn, am of opinion he has already
run the length of his tether, and will, after,a
few more balottings, "fall down" or be
dropped altogether. But there is no pre-
dieting what will happen, when we look at
the factions and sub.lactions into which the
House, or what ought to be the House, is d.
vided. Let the struggle for Speaker termi-
nate rs it may, it is evident to all who have
watched it, that the tendency is to the for
nation of two great sectional parties: re-
suit all patriotic minds would deplore. No
matter what individual opinion or predilec-
ton in the premises may have been, we can
no longer blink the fact that the great mis-
take of the administration party was the
adoption of the Kansas-Nebraska BILL rs it
has re-kindled the fires of agitation and IA
naticism on the subject of slavery, and rem
dered futile and nugatory the abors of the
great men who wrought out the soothing
Compromises Of 1850. The disorganization
of the House of Representatives, after n
struggle of two weeks, is one of the fruits
of that unreasonable measure; and the coun-
try will not forget who are responsible for
the existing state of affairs, though repeal
of the bill and the restoration of the Missouri
Compromise is impracticable and out of the
question. What | mean is: it would have
been much better for the peace, happiness
and prosperity of the nation, 30 have left this
perplexing subject with the Compromise of
1850, under the healing influences of which
the fanatics and agitators were fast losing
their power to do mischief, and agitation
would have finally ceased | am not one of
those who think that the integrity Of the
Union is in immediate danger, yet if this
sectional struggle is to be kept up from year
to wear, and every succeeding compromise be
abrogated, the bonds Of brotherhood will ne
ccssarily become weakened, and dissolution
must finally ensue. But enough on this head
for the present
The desultory debates which occur in the
House are of good natured character, though
occasionally there is a little fairness and acri-
mony manifested. Hon. f. X. Zollicofler
made good speech yesterday, to which l
would direct your attention as it contains as
correct an exposition of the views of the
American party in the contest, rs you will
be likely to meet with.
In reference to Presidential movements
have nothing new to send you-the Speaker
ship being the all-absorbing topic in political
circles. In fuct, it is idle 10 speculate upon
the subject, as the termination Of that strug.
gle may destroy all previous calculations and
result in entirely new combinations---some of
them, perhaps, of character not now dream.
ed Of
The rumors of peace brought by the last
European advices, receive but little credcnce
here; on the contrary, those who are presum.
ed to be best posted on the subject express
the opinion that Russia is bending all her
energies and concentrating her immense re.
sources for fierce and protracted defence.
The City is still crowded, though many
who were here on tho first Monday of De-
cember have departed to their homes, dsap-
pointed, and perhaps wiser than when they
came. A "looker on" may witness many in
terosting scenes, and SEQ much of what is
called beauty and fashion in this "city Of
magnificent distances" but | have sojourned
in places where time could be ms agreeably
and quite rs proftably disposed Of.
IN E.xht hA