New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-03-04
FROM flashing TON.
THE ARBITRATION QUESTION.

HE ARBITRATION QUESIlON.
From Our Own Correspondents
WASHINGTON. March 9, 1856.
Now that Lord Clarendon's formal overture for
srbitratiDg the Central American question has been
brought TO light, and under circumstances which
deprive it of the moral power that would probably
have attended such proposition under other cir
cumstances, the question naturally arises What
"wi be the response Of this Government ?" There
is very good reason to suppose, unless remark
able and sudden change of opinion should occur.
it will be distinctly and decidedly refused first
rate Power never consents TO arbitrate positive
rights, whatever it may do with doubtful
propositions. The inclination of the President
and majority Of the Cabinet for months
MAST in view of the difficulties attending
these negotiations for adjustment has been 70 do
clare the treaty void in terms, as 1t is made IN
fact by the assertion OF the protecuon Oh Great
Britain over the territory involved, and virtually
BY the maintenance OF its dominion his course
would bring the two Governments back to the po-
stions they respectively occupied before the Clay
ton. Bulwer Convention OF 1850, and leave each TO
look after its own interests in its own way. In
such an event the effort would be made by the Ad-
ministration to procure and establish naval de-
not on the coast of Nicaragua, and to enter into
new diplomatic arrangements win inc states OF
Central America based probably on the principle
which actuated the lieiss and Squer treaties, De-
fore the United States and Great Britain agreed
mon their more comprehensive arrangement.
Although this purpose has been held in view, 1t
should not be regarded as by any means the deter
mined policy. The first point to be met u the
proposal for arbitration which presents an entirely
new feature in the negotiations. There is no prob
ability that the answer of this Government will be
DELAYED three months or finally make ITS way 70
the Minister of Foreign Affairs at midnight 1t
NAV be deferred, however, from prudential consid
erations. until the Enlistment issue is disposed Of
and Lord Clarendon shall have an opportunity OF
reply TO Mr. Marcy's request of the 2Sth December.
Since Congress has fairly got under way, aud
the Committees have appOrtloned out the public
business a number of the stere0typed lobby
Members, have appeared to resume their accus-
toned vocation. Vast schemes OF speculation for
steam lines, patents and special legislation, are
notoriousy under preparation, and waiting the
fortun.te moment for being submitted. Some Of
these enterprises doubtless have claims to consid-
Grafton. but others are wholly unworthy Of coun-
tenance or favor. The system that has grown up
here of late years by which such projects are ad-
yocated and adsanced BY retained counsel on the
floor of both Houses has visited Congress with de-
served reproach. and involved the regulations Of
the innocent and the guilty, in sweeping charge
OF NpnNl motives operating uP"" tNSa'i"s'"n'
II is to be lamented. There has been
too much truth in the accusation, for
in this city the participatOrs in this method OF
corruption have been counted not by units but by
scores. There appears to be proper determine
tou ON the part of the really independent press to
probe this wound to the bottom, and to expose any
attempt of such character that may be made o.
the present session. Irksome as the duty may be
il is demanded BY every sentiment of justice and
e - natr in arrasfinO fha
base and sordid influences which have heretofore
too much controlled public men, who have used
their positions to advance their personal Interests
and utterly disregarded the effect OF such merce-
nary conduct upon national character
should the occasion for exposure occur, there
is 1T least one observer here whom no apprehen'
sion of consequences will deter from dlschargpg
moral obligation to the public, or of holding up
10 reprObatOn whoever may thus prostitute his
place, OF traffic away what may be supposed to be
his official integrity. SO fragrant aud so barefaced
has become this infamous mode Ofapproaching Con-
gress that it is now reduced 10 regular system
with agents officers cashiers and newspaper de-
pendents. Bills and grants are lobbied outside
of Congress- as if they were regular business
transactions, and the terms OF support are liked
under fee bill graduated by the aggregate oil
proposed spoliatiOn. Strong as this representa-.
ton may appear, il by no means exhibits the hu'
initiating facts which are notorious through
Washington, and which have shocked the mora
sense of every man who respects even the name Of
integrity. To correct this dangerous and increas-
ing evil, something more than general condemna-
ton il required. The guilty must be denounced,
and exhibited to the gaze of outraged constituen-
ces, in Gil their naked deformity," and the In.
nocent must be protected against undeser'ed
calumny.
The nominations of the fragment of the Phils'
delphia Convention are hardly regarded with SER.
BUSINESS here. They only equal to little local
distraction at best but in no event can they poss,
bly, acquire national Importance. In one-slded
affair like this, enterprising patriots, presumins
upon former concessions, may think it easy to dra.
COON parties into submissions; but when the record
comes to be footed up, Messrs. Fillmore andDon-
elson will be apt to find themselves in the yocs-
tive without the aid and comfort Of one Free
State. This movement is little too sectionf
and too small for the most yielding politicians
embrace. Its authors will bave it all their own
way, and therefore are entitled to very good
time INDIA.
INTERCEPTED LETTERS. mo. III.