New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-15
FROM WASHINGTON.
C9uespstaenos q Tts n. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON. Tuesday. Jan. -, 1857.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday Jan. -, 1857.
Dir. Hsrisns game has been played out, aud his
side IL beaten. There is no sense in the decision in
placed by the majority. But regarding il az assert
ing the doctrine thst no Senator can be legally
elected except by consent Of a quorum Of each
branch Of the Legislature at the moment Of the
choice, the decision is substantially sound, in view
Of the Constitutional provision requiring Senators
to be elected By the Legislature. Bot that this doc
trine is really asserted By the decision may be
doubted, considering the various grounds taken in
opposition TO Mr.. Hsrlan's right to his seat. Yet
on the whole, the case will probably be deemed to
rest On this bssis Still this result reached through
every imaginable sbsurdity Of augmentation. How
much clearer and ulster is that view which brushes
aside all the rubbish Of the and comes al once
to the simple proposition that the Legislature Of
the Federal Constitution il the Legislature Of the
State CCnstitUton and that its acton is only valid
in the election Of Senator as it IS valid in the eXer
cise of every other function pertaining 10 it. Ia
this view, we do not think the decision in Mr. Har-
Ians case is unjust but it is equally true that this
principle, and the only sound principle on which it
rests, would unseat large number Of other Sen
ators as well as Mr.. Harlan
The heat arising from this action Of tie Senate
Will not be lost upon the Legislatures of Pennsyl-
vania and Indiana, which are both now in session,
and both at liberty to elect Senators If they choose.
They will at least have the liberty Of placing their
own Interpretation upon the decision.
In Indiana the course of the Opposition majority
Of the Senate is determined upon. they are will
ing to 90 into The election 10 I'll the two vacancies
in that State provided they can have the Senator
for the short term. This they consider themselves
entitled to by virtue Of their triumph in 1854, when
they carried the State by large majority, and
when they would have chosen a Senator but for the
factious opposition Of the minority. There is per-
feet fairness in the proposition, and if their opPo-
nen!s will not assent 10 il il is because they want
both ends Of the bargain.
II is seldom that embryo quarrels Of rival lead
ers are sufficiently exposed to the view OF outsiders
to be CONNECTED on in sn intelligent or satisfactory
manner. An exception to the ordinary condition
Of such a state Of things has come to my knowI-
edge. The feud between Douglas and Bright has
Iisen 10 such b GIT as TO get on to paper in the
q
Cabinet as Secretary Of the Treasury, aud expects
10 accomplish this object. Douglas Is Determined
to keep him out. Important consequences III
Northwestern politics may be expected to grow
out Of this iDcipient quarrel. Its intensity may be
conceived when i. is know that the principals
in il have ventured to commit themselves to
psper. Mr. Buchanan is not only afflicted
tuk ha "a 4 IL
other enhancement lie had determined TO
give place in lis Cabinet TO one Of the Oid-Line
Wigs, well knowing tie obligation he was under
70 them in Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylya
This was what he meant in his little speechlet to
the students several weeks ago. 1t is Whist Mr.
Brecken,idge has advised also. The choice lay be-
tween Col Preston Of Ky. aud VIM. y. Reed of
Perm. Several of the most distinguished Old-Lire
Wigs have been urging on the PRECEDENT elect the
claims Of the one and the other. 1t Twill suit Mr..
BRIGHT best to have Mr.. Reed taken, aud this is
Mr.. Buchanau's own preference. But the comPh-
cations Of the question have resulted in serious
doubt whether either of these gentlemen, or any
Wig at all, viii be selected. The placid exterior
Of affairs touching the Cabinet which Mr.. Buchan'
an has endesvored to preserve, covers the most
seethirg and ungoyernable currents underneath
When the lob is done, and the fog lifts, We shall
| behold a perfect Chagbdis, with lots Of fellows
whirling through on broken spars and pieces OF
| wreck. some Of whom may come to land, and
| some Of whom viii not.
Mr.. Bipgbams speech in the House to-day was
8 Keen, conclusive and admirable effort, crowned
| by most effective ard eloquent perOration. The
leading political topics of the DAY have seldom been
treated with more ability within Se compass OF Il
sill Gle hour. 1t is speech well worthy Of wide
| circulation. j. = /.