New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-05-12
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
sIFRo M uRssPEoIAL ooRREsr oNp n 'S' z
VA 4 ~ Ise!a}3l4 IA
WASHINGTON, 4th May,

made have been generally in condemnation ofsthe
'nroceedinps of the Board-bnt on Wednesday Mr..
Riocs. Of North Carolina, made long and prosys
7ofance If He was moved thereunto, doubtless,
~ y desire to excnlpate Secretary Dobbn, who is I
frotn his state do not find any new Or startling
noints In the Senator's remarks, and am forced to
class his speechn the category of those which did
neither good nor harm He was replied to by Senator
Adams, Of Mississippi, in speech short, butpungent
and sforeble.
Mr. Toombs followed on the same side Thursday
as did Mr. Adams that all the proceedings
Of the Board were null and void because the law was
not properly executed The opposition to the pro-
ceedings Of the Board has it will be Observed various
sources. While some complain of it for one reason,
others do sofor another. The Senate may not adopt
the resolution of Senator Iverson providing for the
appointment of a special committee to investigate
the matter but is very certain that some decisive
step will be TAKEN which will result in the partial if
not entire, notification of the whole proceedings.
On Friday, Mr.. Benjamin made a very elaborate
and very able speech on the Kansas question. He
defended the South with great zeal, and made unre
entng war upon the reasonable designs Of the ana
tics Of the North. It was, indeed, eof the best
speeches of the session but his definition of his pre-
Sent political position will Ihave doubt, grieve and
surprise his friends in the South. He declared that
the Wing party, of which be had been proud to be
member, was no longer in existence and that, while
he should continue to maintain Wing principles he
was, for the present, forced into alliance with the
Democracy. have frequently heard this argument
used W interested Democratic politicians, in making
an appeal to Southern Wings to unite with their party
but have supposed that it could influence the
mind Of man of Mr.. Benamins good sense and dis
elimination. Tt does not become me, of course, to
question the proprety of Mr. Benanns position but
cannot help thinking that if the Democratic party
was ever obnoxious to the enmty of Wings, tits
so at this time than in any previous period Of its his
tory. Nor can agree with those who assert that
Wing party is not still in existence. The Wing party
of England originated in opposition to the tyranny
and insoIence of the Tories The Wing party of our
own revolution sprung from the same sentiment-op
position to the exactions and expressions of those in
power. The Wing party of later years derived its
strength from opposition to the radical measures and
demoralzing practices of the Democracy. Allhistory
proves the Wing party to be liberal and conservative
as against the Democratic party which is radical and
destructive. Any party, therefore, matter by what
name you call it, which seeks to check the rash legs
ton and to reform the abuses of Democracy, is
TVig party, in the legitimate Of the word The
old Wing party nonite, may have ceased to exist
though am not prepared to admit that-but the
popular feeling and sentiment which animatedit still
continues. I can well imagine that Wing who dis
approves of the principles of the American party may
hold himself in allegiance or in the position of an
armed neutral but that any one animated by the old
Wing feeling, should ally himself with The Democratic
party of the present day confess surpasses my
prehension I have yet hope that Mr.. Benjamin, of
whose patriotism and sincerity have not doubt,
may come to a more consistent position.
Ia After the conclusion of Mr.. Benjamns speech, an
exciting scene occurred between Mr.. Clay, of Ala
bama, and Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire. The latter,
abiding to some personal reflections upon him in Mr.
Clay's recent speech Kansas AFFAIRS said that he
had only one remark to make in reply, and that was
this that it took something besides malignity to
deem imbecility from contempt. Mr.. Clay rose very
much excited, and said the malice Of the Senator
equalled only by his basees that he should notsheter
himself with the plea of non-combatancy and that
if, like Mark NEEDLE, in the play, the Senator
bilious of kick, he could be accommodated The
debate being grossly personal some one moved an adj
journment, SO as to put an end it'll
AS general thing, the Senate is remarkably dig
nifed body. Personal disputes rarely occur. With
the exception of slight breeze between Senators
Clayton and Bell, and the terrible philippe of Mr.
Crttendcn upon Seward some time ago, nothing per-
sona has occurred since the beginning of the session.
until the present emeute 1t is not to be expected,
however, that they will be altogether avoided either
in the Senate or the House. The violent sectional
disputes, and the necessary excitement of Presi-
dental election will most assuredly give rise to
sional 1uarres. But for the condemnation which is
visited upon those who participate in these disputes
by the people at large, they would occur more regu-
larly than they do.
The news of the stirring events in Central Ameri-
ca reached here on Wednesday morning last and has
been the subject of general remark since In the
House. Mr.. Herbert of California, called attention to
the massacre at Panama in a short and forcible
speech, and concluded by Offering resolution in
structing the Committee on Foreign Affairs to in
quire what further legislation was necessary for the
protection of the lives Of American citizens crossing
the Isthmus He said this was not the first time
such massacres had been committed in that quarter,
and that if American citizens are not to have the
protection Of the Government from the daggers of
foreign assassins, the it is known the better.
In the Senate, Mr.. Weller made very able speech in
defense of Gen. Walker and in condemnation of the
policy of the administration in the management of
our relations with Central America. Mr.. Douglas
took the same ground It was remarkable fact that
in Senate, threefourths of which friends of the
administration, not man could be found to come to
the defense Of Mr.. Pierce and Mr.. Marcy So far as
have been able to collect public opinion the course of
the administration is universally condemned except
| by Senator Clayton. Many persons do not hesitate
to say that the administration by its feeble and tmid
policy is responsible for all the existing troubles in
| Central America Indeed it seems that the pressure
of public sentiment mas at last affected the rlinoceros
cuticle Of Mr. Marcy and it is now said that he will
receive any other Minister from Nicaragua than Col
| French. Thus will the administration he reduced to
the degrading necessity of reversing its cherished
policy, and of doing from compulson that which it
ought to have done long ago from choice.
1t was expected that the last steamer from Europe
would have brought from the British Government the
recall of Mr.. Champion and the Consus who were en-
gagged in the enlistment business Instead of that, it
is said that the State Department has received long
dispatch from Lord Clarendon, arguing to show that
this Government has no right to demand redress and
that Great Britain is not disposed to make any con-
| cessions in the matter whatever. ANY one not ac-
quaintcd with Mr.. Marcys peculiar style of states
manship might suppose that, in accordance with his
peremptory threats, he Immediately dismissed Mr..
Champion and the Cpnsuls. But he was not moved a
peg in the lnatter-nor will he He will continue to
write long dispatches, and make volumnous argu-
ments, by way of filling up the time until he goes out