New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-12
Oen Orleaus 1ailu Cresteut,
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. i 1856.


the venom of Black Repubcanism. Defeated in the
Presidential election-defeatcd in the next Congress
and with no prospect whatever of having control of
either the Executive or Legislative branches of the
Government for two years at least, it would seem to
be the best policy of them to moderate their tone and
abate somewhat their truculent bearing. Such how
ever, does not appear to be their determination No
sooner the House organized on Monday last than
they introduced an apple of dlscord, by protesting
against the reception of Whitfield as the delegate
from Kansas, and by an official declaration that he
was not entitled to the seat. motion was imme-
diately made to reconsider the vote which motion
is still pending. A great many Southern members
had not made their appearance and the contest be-
tween the two parties thus far has been one of phys
cal endurance only-the conservative men anxious to
postpone vote to collect their absentces, and
the Black Republicans to force the subject to dec
sion while they have small actual majority.
Thus far they have been defeated by parliamentary
expedients, such motions to adjourn, and motions
for call of the House. To-day the probability is
that the Southern men will be in the majority and
that Whitfield will be admitted to his seat, despite the
vrulent opposition of defeated Black Republicanisn
The excuse for his rejection is the same under
which they excluded him from the last Congress
under an act Of which the election for delegate to
Congress was held At the last election Whitfield had
no contestant whatever but received every vote that
cast. No disputes his claim to the seat.
Yet, purely for purposes of political advantage, this
frebrand has again been thrown into the halls of
Congress, to the delay of the public business the de-
trment Of national dignity, and the shame of our
legislative system. Let us be thankful that this is
least to vex the popular ear with their insane fana
ticsrn
The Presidents message was delivered to the Sen
ate on Tuesday. An animated debate Immediately
commenced, conducted by Hale, Seward and Tarn-
bull on the one side, and Brown and Mason on the
other Hale's speech was much superior in manner
and in argument to those which usually fall from
him. Rising above the character Of the buIoon--his
customary ,ole-he exhibited more of Senatorial dig
nifty than I have ever seen in him BEFORE He at
tackled the President with considerable severity but
he encountered formidable antagonist in the person
of Senator Brown, of Mississippi. And here cannot
refrain from saying that this gentleman has rapidly
risen in popular esteem as man of superior power.
Perfectly cool and selfpossesscd in debate, with an
intimate knowledge of every subject he undertakes to
discuss and yigor of expression which gives adj
ditional force to his argument there few men in
the Senate who excel him in effective oratory. The
South needs no ADLER champion than this compare
lively young Senator from Mississippi.
The Message of the President will meet with ap-
prova in many of its sentiments and disapproval in
others. His refusal to recognize Don Fermin Ferrer
the Minister from Nicaragua, smacks more of the
cautious old-fogyism of Marcy than the progressive
| impulse Of a live Statesman. The regeneration OF
Central America, opposed as it is by every other pow
er on earth, should command the peculiar sympathy
of this Government. repulse Of the advances Of
Gen. Walker will not i'll the slightest degree affect
his security or weaken his confidence in the ultimate
success of his enterprise. But it would seem to be
peculiarly fit that the encouragement Of approval
should be liberay extended to neig ghborng nation
engaged, ,as we once were, in a struggle for republ
can liberty. That the sympathies of Gen. Pierce
himself, individual, are all with Walker, have
little doubt Diplomatic caution may suggest the re-
pulse OF Walker but the requirements Of diplomacy
do not always constitute the safest rule of action.
1t is also suggested here-and I expect with good
reason--that Mr.. Wheeler, now on a visit to Wash.
gton will not be returned our Minister to Central
America. If so, his recognition of the Walker Gov.
crnment, after the rupture with Rivas, will be the
cause of it. In view OF the fact that We have already
received one Minister of Nicaragua, and continued
Mr. Wheeler in the discharge of his diplomatic func
ons after his first recognition Of the Walker Govern
ment, it would be easy to convict the Administration
of a shifting and vaccillatng policy. Had we any
assurance that under the administration of Mr.. Bill
chanan more liberal policy toward Nicaragua would
be adopted, we might be content with the present
aspect of the case 1t is question. however, wheth
er Mr. Buchanan is not irredcemaby an old fogy
than even Mr.. Marcy.
The supposition that Gen. Cass would go into MI
Buchanan's Cabinet as Secretary of State-to which
alluded in my last letter-though stouty denied by
some of the Northern press, is matter of almost
positive certainty. do not believe the appointment
has yet been rendered to him; but that it ,W be,
feel an entire confidence. The old General was in his
seat in the Senate on Monday looking the worse
for his arduous and unsuccessful labors in the late
canyass, and as if he had dozen good campaigns il
| him yet. ! hold it as remarkable fact however
that up to this time-three whole days-he has not
made single speech on foreign affairs, nor uttered
word in disparagemcnt of the British Government
Such unusual forbcannce porends some great change
in his sentiments; and it may be, after all, that he
will decline the State Department to go to England
that he may show Lord John Russell that he does
KNOW sDncllll VI law, ueSplte Wt
tcr's dogmatic assertion to the contrary.
Mr.. Buchanans speech, few days ago. to the stu
dents Of college in Pennsylvania, who called on hin
to pay their respects, has created considerable tu
ter in political circles here Regarded oreshadow
ing the general policy and aims of his administra
ton it cannot be considered otherwise than as pec
ary significant. His declaration of preserving in
tact our glorious Union and Constitution and his
purpose to 'destroy any sectional party, North OF
South" acts as decided damper to the extremists o
the Southern school. 1t cannot be denied that the
Democratic party, North and South, though heli
together for party purposes by the cohesive power
the public plunder, are, so far as principle is con
cerncd, as wide asunder as the poles 1t will be /;
fruitlcss attempt to endeayOr to unite them except
for purposes Of public plunder. Mr.. Buchanans in
| tentons may be good but he should no more
expect to keep the Democratic party consolidated fol
four years longer than to make a vrtuous man
| John W. Forney The elements of dscord alread!
exist in the party; and before two years of hi
Presidential career shall have passed. there will be
Democratic party in the South opposed to him, for
midable alike for its numbers and influence. Mari
the prediction.
The Union is to be the organ of the new admins
traton, is Of the present. The present editors
however, will retire, and be succeeded by new ed
! tnriaI Snlar Of II,