New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-15
FROM WASHINGTON.
ppoGREss OF EVENTS IN CONGRESS.

TIL. second week of the session has expired, an
a., hsep passed in both branches in political die.
.u.s;on. mainly growing out Of the Presidents
,1...,se The speakers generally are uncommonly
auso, and full according to the measure Of their
..yeral capacities. They are al fresh from the
,tump, where they have had ample opportunity to
,ebes.e their speeches, and they are nov presented
hare in the most compact shape possible, and
,o;r,ed with quiet Indignation on the Republican
.;de At the jesutical denunciations Of the Pres.
dent The temper exhibited in the discussion is
marked with far less acerbity than could have been
rossible during the canvass. Here and there is a
d;seoufse without brains, but il is an exception.
Tn the Senate, especially, the debate has been
carried on, apparently, with view to as:
certain precisely the points Of difference be-
tween the partiee, and to shave off all merely de-
cl.matory excrescenses Of the cOntendng cham
Mons. have not witnessed debate in which more
general candor has been displayed in its conduct,
and where more attention to its prophecies has been
observed. This Iatroute in part to the absence of
two or three of the more porcine members of the
body who being apt at debate and Of coarse grain,
always do a good deal to exacerbate discussion.
Although the most prominent reason may be found
in the fact that the winning side feel happy in hav-
ing achieved success and that their arrogance is re.
strained by the consideration that they came near
missing IT.; while on the other the desire to vindi-
cate the Justice and nationality Of their political
position joined TO the natural instinct of prOprie y
that belongs to their side of the chamber has lent
moderation and dignity to expression. Taking this
general fact in connection with an apparently
earnest desire to fully understand one anothers pO.
sition on the exciting issue Of the time with all its
relations aud all its qualifications the discussion
has had more than Ordinary interest and significance.
We may consider that the arrogant impertinen-
Ces which have marked the tone of debate on the
Southern eide in the Senate are for the present
ended. The enormous popular vote in the North
the champions of Freedom in that body
and the crushing rebuke administered to the Dough-
faces there by indignant constituency, have had
VOL derful effect in producing this sautary change
Hereafter these insOlences of debate will be left to
the mere blackguards of the party whose instincts
never lead them in any other direction.
There have been two regular 6eld.days in the
Senate ard an unusual amount of political sparring
In the House during the week. Indeed the debat.
ing of the Session has at the beginning and
bids fair to be pretty well finished up before the
Holidays This will leave the remaining time to be
occupied in the plundering schemes whose rotten
ness and putridity already cast their scent from
afar, and in preliminary squabbles Of the
patriots who propose to share the favOrs
of the new Administration. The advance guard of
ante nfa 10 sal raa
making its appearance in the city. TO these field
days TO which allude good deal of Importance is
often attached. 1t has been so now. Mr. Bigler's
written speech seemed to be the starting point of
interest. Bat it is now very much doubted if it
possessed any real significance touching the policy
of the new Administration. Indeed, he disclaimed
yesterday doing anything beyond speaking for him
self. tie wears the appearance of civil gentle
man, but If his moral tone be high, his position and
conduct in the debate belle him. In fact it is of
no use TO expect grapes of thorns figs of thistes
The Northern doug &c a: 40 an unmistakabe type
of man whose characteristics are ever the same.
Are they not written on the hearts OF all men
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard
his spots Mr.. Hale thrust a hanbeau in their
faces yesterday which greatly exercised Mr..
Pugh Of Ohio, who demanded if he meant
him. Mr.. Hale disclaimed, as of course
be must, saying he meant nobody in the Senate.
Courtesy demanded as much as this. Antony could
saw ia his Grafton over the dead body of Caesar,
&. Brutus is an honorable man. for we are oil
81 honorable men," Brougham called the members
of the House of Lords d" honorable" though with
more truth than grace he sneerDgly added: " Hon.
e. orabe by courtesy" The remark has been made
before: Separately you are very good fellows;
" but collectively, a precious set OF scoundrels.
Tins we psesume these individual disclaimers to
be very satisfactory to the parties concerned. 10
moral aspect Mr.. Bgler was very badly damaged
nv Mr.. Hale, who called upon Mr.. Butler OF South
Carolina to rebuke him for his superserviceapie
efforts on the side Of Slavery, which Mr. Butler nad
10 do. though not without great reluctance; sad
when he had flushed got up and Left the Senate
II WAS n very bold but most triumphant parlia-
msntar, stroke on the part Of Hale, and must nave
made Mr. Bigler, who seems sensitive man. wish
bms If down in the toes of his boots lie Jared no
better in another point Of view AZ the hahds VI
Tuubull. who demonstrated his mental obtuseness
in his construction of Dunn's BILL to which, now
ever he was doubtless led by the comments OF that
prince of misrepresentess, Douglas.
Mr.. Pueb, who has made an elaborate speech
during the week, has done better. lie is clear
headed and very lawyerly in his style and manner.
He has not, however, risen into the domain OF gres'
principles, nor yet of eloquent defamation. he
is keen and capable rather than able or broad. lie
is sim bilious man, and the range of such is gen.