New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-03-10
Neh OrIeans 1ailp Gr&sttrt.
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

d .... -. ..Is u, ' WASHINGTON, March l, 1857. |
The House was finally relieved, yesterday, of all the
cases reported upon by the late Investigating Com
mittee. On the day before, two of the members i'm
Gilbert and Matteson resigned !
their Seats In the of Mr.. Wech, it decided
that there not sufficient evidence to convict him.
On yesterday, Mr.. Edwards, Of New York, the re-
naming one of those involved in the charges after
making strong and manly speech, protesting his in
nocence in the most emphatic terms, also resigned.
Thus have all the members implicated been disposed
off, and the matter received its quietus for this session
at least Whether it will become necessary to have
similar investigating committee at every session of
Congress, is question for the future to determine
But there is too much to fear that our public
men not they in the earlier and purer days
of the Republic. Political ambition, private interest,"
and the grosser passions of humanity ought to be dis
carded from the heart of every legislator who looks to
the glory and advancement of the nation. But it
would be vain deluson to atter ourselves that this
is the CASE or even that we improving upon the
bright eyemplars of public virtue and political nteg
rty who have illustrated our annals in the past. The
transition from good to evil is easier in Republic
than in any other form of government. The golden
age may soon degenerate into the brazen-and the
cause of free institutions by gradual decadence
receive fatal blow at the very hands Of those who
should be foremost in upholding it.
Before this will have reached you the fate of the
tariff will have been decided. At present the two
houses have each passed distinct bi-materially
differing from each other in their provisions and hav
ing nothing in common except the general object Of
reducing the revenue The House has passed Camp
bells bill, and the Senate substitute proposed by
Mr.. Hunter, of Virginia, chairman of the Committee
on Finance. There three articles which give rise
to all the dificulty-iron, sugar and WOOL Campbells
bill admits these as under the present law. Mr..
Hunter proposes material reduction on iron and
WOOL and reduction on sugar from thirty to twenty
three per cent. The Senate was up nearly all night
on Friday debating Mr.. Hunters bill, and finally
passed it by decisive majority. The House had pre-
vioqsly passed Campbells In this state Of antago-
nism between the two houses, committee on con-
ference has been appointed, but think it doubtful
whether they can agree upon any compromise. If
not the tariff law will remain of course as it is at
present
1t is curious to note the zeal with which the repre-
sentatiyes Of different interests defend them Thus,
MIR. Hunters proposition to reduce the duty iron
was bitterly resisted by Mr. Brodhead, of Pennsyl-
yana the representative of the iron interest in that
State. Mr. Brodhead himself is personally interested
in mining operations in western Pennsylvania, and
was sent the Senate by that interest for the purpose
of protecting it. They wisely considered that the in
stnct of sefpreservation would only make more eff.
cient his obligations to his constituents.
In Like manner the reduction of the duty on wool
was opposed with the utmost vehemence by Senator
Collamer, of Vermont Yet, both these Senators
Bro1head and Colamer, can see the duty sugar re-
duced with perfect composure, and the coolest com
plaisance. Thus do private and personal interests
creep into Congress and overthrow the nationality OF
| its legislation. =
Almost superior in importance to the tariff is the
new treaty with Mexico which Mr.. Forsyth has re
Gently negotiated, and which arrived here few days
ago Various reports out relative to its provisions
but the general impression is that it involves ac
QUESTION OF Mexican territory, and is simply con
cession of certain valuable commercial and postal
privileges to u.s. including guarantee Of the route to
California the isthmus of Tehuantepec. Our
exports to that country to be admitted at reduc
on OF twenty per cent on the present rates of duty
claims of our citizens to the amount of three millions
OF dollars are to be paid, and reciprocity on the
frontier similar to that which exists between this
country and Canada. In consideration Of these con-
cesslons we are to endorse guaranty, the bonds of
Mexico for the sum Of fifteen millions of dollars.
From all accounts, the condition of Mexico social
and financial, is deplorabe one indeed. Her trea-
sury is exhausted her credit seriously impaired and
the people distracted by civil dissensions and intes-
tine connections Ifit be constitutional for US to make
this arrangement with her. proposed by the treaty
of Mr. Forsyth, government should not hesitate
| to do it.. grave doubt however, has arisen, whe
ther it is competent for u.s. under the Constitution
endorse the bonds of Mexico or to lend her credit
This question the Senate will have to decide wher
the treaty comes up for consideration.
1t is certain that Mexico is on the eve of revolu
tion, from which nothing can save her but a liberia
supply of money The ten millions we paid for tn,
Gadsden purchase have been exhausted her credit
has been exhausted her people are ground down b,
the exactions of the clergy and the church. 1t woult
be the part of magnanimity in the United States t.
extend aid to our unfortunate neighbor. Instead o.
profiting by her weakness, we ought generously t,
endeavor to restore her ancient glory and Importance
This treaty, and the Dallas. Clarendon treaty, will
both go over to the next administration 1t is prob
able that the Senate will be in session for two or three
weeks after the 4th of March, in the discussion o
these two treaties and the ratification of Federal ap
pointments.
Mr. Buchanan will reach the city tomorrow, accom-
P''iA~SN iSS
ceremonies bid fair to be very brilliant. Already thu
avenues are crowded with an eager throng collected
from all parts of the Union The hotels are also full
and, by Tuesday night, he who can get even foo
ticket for lodging will be fortunate man.
The cabinet is all definitely arranged. The con
firTlatlon of it will be the signal gun for an attacl
upon the administration from masked battery
i which Mr.. Buchanan will find is not to be despsed
Premonitory symptoms have already been given--ant
Mr. Buchanan will discover that he cannot success
fully conduct his administration by ignoring the pre-
dominant sentiment of the Southern people. Certain
it is, if he pursue negative do.nothing policy with
out respecting the just claims and expectations of tn
South, and her commanding Importance in the con
fedeacy, his fate is already sealed. The time 70
compromise has gone by. The South will have a
her rights, including equality of political power
the Union-or she will have them out of it. 1t woul
be we'll for Mr. Buchanan to understand this at once
Essen.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.-m answer TO
resolution of the Senate, says the Baton Rouge AZ
vocate of the 9Th, the Auditor of Public Account
furnishes the following tba