New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-06
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE,

Congress is now enjoying its annual Christmas hol-
day. Generally, an interregnum Of ten days occurs
during this season OF the year. when the members
cease their legislative duties-some for the purpose
OF visiting their homes and others for relaxation and
social enjoyment Both Houses norninally meet every
three days but only for the purpose of adiourning
over. On the first Monday in January they will re-
sumo their seats, and commence the heavy work.
of the session.
So far very little has been accomplished. The bill
for the relief Of the creditors of Texas and one or
two appropriation bills, have been passed-and these
believe, constitute the sum total of their legislative
acts up to this time. Yet the session has not been u
prohtably spent after all The political speeches that
nave been made have given US clearer insight into
the position, the principles and the future designs of
parties than we had before and in one respect at
least have led to modification of the extreme views
of,Back Republicanism.
Thus they now profess that they have no intention
OF interfering with slavery in the States In fact
they disavow any constitutional right or moral right
so to do Their only object they say far slavery
Is concerned, is toprevent its extension into territory
now free While We may deny, and do deny, their
power to prevent it by Congressional enactment and
while believe that nothing ought to be interposed to
arrest the legal andlegtnate expansion of sayeryyet
We cannot object to their holding the reverse opinion
il they choose In this country we must not quarrel
with men about their opinions but about their acts
only Deprecating the existence of such party as
much as any one can do-believing that the posses
sion OF power would lead them to occupy positions
which now they have no thought of entertaining
and that the continuance Of the Union would be q
matter OF doubt if they acquire full power in every
branch of the Governmental yet becomes US to have
some liberation for their views, which however dan
gerous and revolutionary they may be- are honestly
held by many of them, and spring, not from fanati
cs1l but from the influences Of education and asso
citation. Thus, while holding in utter disgust the
evident tanaticsm OF such men as Giddings Wilson
and Sumner, We cannot deny, on the other hand tc
Foote, Fessenden and Campbell, the possession o
political honor and integrity. Such men as these
latter look upon politicians Of the Giddngs schoo
with as much contempt as We do, for their violence
and extreme opinions serve only to bring their cause
into disrepute
bill was introduced in the House of Representa-
tives few days ago BY Mr. Rice, the delegate from
Minnesota authorizing the people of that Territory t.
form State Constitution, and apply for admission
into the Union. Mr.. Rice had the same bill in h
pocket during the whole of the last session. but die
not introduce it. He would not have introduced i
now, but for hint he received that Congress had be
come tired of making appropriations to Minnesota a.
Territory, and that it was time she was setting III
business on her own hook as a State. The terrific
res formerly eager to come in as States as sooI
as possible. OF late years they are anxious to put
Oft as long as they The reason of this is tina
while in territorial condition all their wants are pro
vded for out of the federal treasury Their public
buildings erected at the expense Of the Genera
government and all the salaries of their public off
clals are paid by the same bounteous hand For th
reason they defer application for admission in orde,
that they may continue the pensioners of the tre
sury, and acquire strength and vitality from its dis
bursemeuts. Minnesota, Nebraska Oregon and Utah
would all have applied for admission before this, but
for this consideration. The committee warned Mr..
Rice, as l understand, that they would make no ap.
preparation for his territory this year-and this deli
cate hint wa no given than he introduced his
bill Immediately.
The increase Of States, which we must necessarily
expect in the next few years is matter which should
be deeply pondered by the South. OF the territories
now organized the probability is that every one ex.
cept perhaps New Mexico, will come into the Union
free States. Certainly there be no question of
this so far as Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and
Nebraska concerned In strictly sectional divi.
SION the South would have no security for its rights
in Congress- unless it could maintain its equality in
the Senate. What prospect is there of this with this
formidable array of free territories ready to be ncor-
pOraed into the Union?
In addition to this, the Northwestern States are
increasing in wealth and population with uneXamped
rapidty The next appOrtionment of representation
in 1860 will result in placing the free States in the
popular branch Of Congress, in an overshadowing
majority. Thus, with both branches of Congress
against it may well be considered what will be the
fate Of the South. in the event of strictly sectional
formation Of parties:
In this view OF the case, unless harmony can be
restored and unless parties recur their old positions
and Danish all geographical lines, the South must
either go to the wall, or must seek protection by
needing the instincts Of the first law of natlreself,
preservation. Visionary some Of our public men
affect to consider it. it may yet be the necessity of the
South to strengthen her political power, as matter
of seEprOtectiOn, by the acquisition of neghboring
territory. The fate of Cuba, of Mexico and of the
Central American States, may hang, in the future
upon the event of the oppression Of the Southern by
! the Northern States Of the Union, through the
. crushing weight Of numbers
The New ork Herald, few days ago, published
what purpolted to be abstract of the treaty recently
made between the United States and Great Britain
The authenticity Of it is denied in quarters and
affirmed in Others. From all the information car
get conclude that It is, in the main authentic II
there can be doubt of the active agency of Mr.
Marcy in its preparation The treaty is exceedingly
iberal to Nicaragua-and if carried out must neces
sariiy involve the affairs Of Central America in still
greater complications than before. This perhaps is
the primary object which Mr.. Marcy sought to effect
The continued bunders Of foreign policy towards
Central America will be fifty closed by this last
diplomatic act of the Secretary of State before yacating
his Office. Essen
ARREsTED.-Sharpe, the man who murdered hi:
roommate, DR.. Cleveland in the Virginia Hotel, St
Louis has been arrested and taken back to that city
The Republican says:
SllnrIn i s,in1 nf clutn ntin f,,n;l,