Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-30
THE NEW TREATY,


opinion would be unwse as well as u'Jnss whic
condemned or approved it. The Senate must be careful
in looking to the Interior views-the hidden motives
which characterize all the diplomacy OF England
Tho United States cannot abandon the high ground
maintained even by Mr.. Fllmore's administration
that Cuba and Central America form purely Anne
rican question. The South can never consent, +
please any body, that her capacity for growth an
sxpauson in the tropics should be checked throug
tho interference of England. The national Demo
cracy cannot take up The ridiculous policy of Gen
Taylor, as put forth in the Clayton Bnlwer conven
ton, acknowledging even the right Of England Il
become party to the settlement through an ALLIANCE
Of this great American question.
II the treaty negotiated by Mr. Dallas, in London
embraces only England, and abandous the Monroe
doctrine it can never be accepted by the American
people. II it proposes to perpetuate the semi civil
lizdH rule of the barbarans who have ruled in Cen
trail America for 30 long time to the disgrace o
humanity, the whole people OF this continent viii
denounce the measure. If It'll designed to check thu
progress Of Walker. and confne him within narrow
belt Of country, kind of declared outlaw by Eng
land and America, the people of the South and Yves
will rise up in unanimous opposition.
These entangling alliances mark departure il
American policy. which the immortal Washingto,
cautioned us against and to which Jefferson Madison
aud Monroe were sterny opposed. If the who'll
question, embracing Cuba and Central America, ha,
been taken in, aud settled upon the basis Of CONNER
eial reciprocity there would have been some grounC
for assent. But is evident that The best
of progress on this continent, is through American
means England is trescharous and designing. Or
SO grave matter as the one now pending before the
Senate, too much light cannot be thrown. The de
bate should be open and free from all party influence
The House, which reflects public opinion more
clearly and decidedly than the Senate, cannot be
heard and yet We have to hear Of the first man in the
popular branch of real influence who approves the
new treaty. Those men from the South and Weat
moro especially, who create and control public opin.
ion, loud and determined in their opposition. The
evident indication of i'll will against Walker, whose
critical position has aroused such sympathy, does not
aid the treaty.
If the next news from Nicaragua should be favora-
BILE, American politics will receive Of those sud
den popular impulses which now and then astonish
politicians. If the news bursts upon our ears that
the heroic little band of countrymen, last heard
from surrounded by their BARBARIAN foes, has cut
road through the enemy and that the nvncibility Of
American vslor still sustains American rale in Mica
ragua, let the public men beware how they confront
the enthusiasm which will greet the announcement
from San Antonio in Texas Portland in Maine. If
Walker sustains himself, Nicaragua will hold the
relation TO national politics that Texas did,
1t is the confident belief of his friends that lie will
hold
does the great game for which he ia playing will be
won. Prominent men in Washington, who are look
ing forward, will be cautious in treating this subject
The treaty, therefore, is affected by Nicaraguan
affairs. and will hold fire in the Senate until Walkers
fate is decided.
THE LOBBY INTEREST IN WASHINGTON.
Plain people in the country have very primitive
ideas of legislation in Washington. In their simpl-
city they believe every Honorable member of Con.
gress.to be what his title imports and his station de-
mands, gentleman Of irreproachable integrity and
great abilities. From this innocent conception Of
the character of Congressman, other pretty popular
decisions follow such, for example, as that the Fed
eral Capitol contains the collective wisdom Of tue
nation, that the conduct Of each representative is de-
termined by an exclusive regard for the public well
fare, aud that corrupt element of selfish interest
discolors the current Of legislation. In all in
siances act of Cungress is taken by the simple
hearted people of the rura districts" to express the
highest conception of the best minds stimulated to
effort by an ardent patriotism. aud exempt from the
influence of personal passion and prejudice.
The poet tells US that "whsn ignorance ia bliss lis
folly to be wise" and perhaps it would be better for
their peace of mind il the people were not olsen
chsnted Of these arcadan ideas Of pastoral innocence
aud simplicity among the statesmen in Washington.
1t the business, however, Of the newspaper press
to enghten the popular mind on all matters Of pub
lie concern, and to expose abuses without regard to
consequences. Such is our conception Of duty, and
We intend to redeem the obligation to the beat of our
ability.
In our issue of this morning the reader will And
two very remarkable letters from the columns of the
New York Herald, in witch the operations Of the
Lobby interest in Washington are exposed to public
contemplation. Iu those communications, doubtless
there are particular misstatemenls, and they may
betray general spirit OF eSsggeraoa but their
substantial correctness is above all criticism
II is not to DO denied that there exists class
OF persons about Washington, organized into dis.
tinct profession and animated by peculiar esprit
de corps whose business il is to bring personal .nu
ences to bear upon the action of Congress, and TO
determine measures Of legislation by corrupt conside
rations. These individuals pass under the general
description of Lobby Members" but they differ
very much in private character. Some are
gentlemen of intelligence aud social distinction
aad the inconsistency betwixt their character and
their calling is explained by the fact that they regard
thoir business as legitimate in every sense They
would scorn bride themselves, but they think it
perfectly harmless and reputable thing to appeal to
the 6asest passions of another person. But tho vast
majority OF these Lobby Agents in Washington are
the scum Of Christendom, such rs ex.members OF
Congress- ex-seoretares of departments, editors out
Of employment occasional correspondents of papers,
officers Of the army dismissed from the SERVICE Off.
GERS Of the navy retired for incapacity, clerks
men OF easy virtue, dealers OF faro, and apostate
preachers Of the Gospel. These individuals have
methodized The mysteries Of plumber into science
aud have reduced their operations against the treasu
ry to regular system OF strategy. The agencies of
their influence comprehend all themeans of subduing
principle through the nstrumehality Of the passions
The amable disposition Of one member Of Congress-
makes him an easy prey. Another falls victim to
the seductions Of Champagne aud canvass back. a
third is insensbe to the charms of an epicurean ban
que but he surrenders to the seducons Of solid sum
of money. fourth is besued by the arts of some
charming Lais and consents, if not 10 support par
toular claim, TO be absent when the vote is taken
fifth, with hardly less crminaliiy Of motive sacri.
aces his scrupes secure the cooperation of power
full interest in his own special behalf So the thing
works. and the result is that the people pluudered
OF millions by corrupt coalition between the Lobby
interest and certain pro6igae members Of Congress.
1t is fact, but not very astonishing fact, that
the of the South ara proyerbally in.