Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-05-05
From Washington,

The following letter from an occasional
Correspondent residing at present at the Fed
eral Seat Of Government, will be read with
interest, perhaps, by our readers. We give
it for the items Of intelligence it contains,
without endorsing or opposing the views Civ
en- by the writer. Each reader must make
up his opinions
Your readers have doubtless learned, ere
this, that the Senate has laid the Pacific Rail
Road Bill on the table, in spite of the infiu-
enCe of " FttHcy Bulls and other kindred
schemes to obtain votes for this wholesale
measure Of public plunder. Two other kin
dred measures Of like character, on q smaller
scale, are still pending before Congress, and
1t is to be feared that one, if not both will
ultimately pass that body, to wit-the Pen
sion bill, introduced by Mr.. Savage and
Gov. JOhnson's favorite Homestead BILL
While | am opposed to this Pension bill, |
| do not wish to he understood as being op-
posed to pensions under any circumstances.
When a soldier has become disabled while
engaged in the service Of his country, and
his circumstances are such that he needs as
s~istance, | think his country ought to do
something for his relief; | am decidedly OPP
posed to pensioning those who merely marched
up the hill and then marched down again.
| stand upon the doctrine laid Town by Nath-
aniel Macon, in regard to Pensions and the
sun never shone upon Il better patriot than
him. The Homestead bill will hardly pass
this session, but there is no telling what per.
severance in this matter may do, and its au.
thor does not seem to know there is such a word
rs fail. | am sorry to see the Newspapers
take such little interest in matters of such
vital importance to the country but it Seems
tN.E 49, - I'll II..l.au -. 80 -.
in keeping, that they cannot now let 20 thei,
hold TO taxi up anything else. 1t is though
however that Kansas will be finally disposed
Of by Congress by the passage Of the bill
agreed upon by the Committee Of conference
to which the subject was referred severa
DAYS ago. This is the first time since tn
introduction Of the well known Leconpto
Constitution, that | have had any faith in il
passage. At first il received the oppositio
Of a portion Of the n. Q. delegation bl
changes having been proposed making
more acceptable to them although not Ell
tircly satisfactory they yielded their oppos
ton and it is pretty generally understoC
that the bill can possibly now pass but
am not now very sanguine that it will pas
though | hope so.
The members from those States which hi
shown such good courage but such bad jud
ment like the little animal that attacked Il
railway engine) in passing their disunion re
o~lutions, were quite anxious to get their Stat
out Of the awkward predicament in whi'
they had been SO ~imprudently placed
rather hasty legislation. The old Nor
State, to her credit, has not yet sold the be
skin before shooting the beast-and viii
she does not show so much sign of fight
paper, rs some of her chivalrous sisters,
when the necessity arises, she will not
found hindmost in maintaining her rights
or out of the Union. believe that a lar
majority Of our people are States Rights IN
ofthe s~traitest sect, but they, like old p.
are not for firing until they see the whites
the onemv's eyes.
This city has been unusually quiet for
last two weeks, there have occurred but 1
accidents and those the direct result Of
effects Of the common enemy to the peace
happiness Of the human family-AtcohoL.
r. 81 have only time to add, that
Kansas q iestion is settled at last. The 81
stitute offered by the Conference Commit
passed b,n HoUaet 10 day! The Senate
0 maiori y aud the House by precisely
same mai ,rity. The Senate receded from
amcudme rs to the Deficiency bill, and
bill nasse | Is it came from the House. II
the two m 1T p~erplexing matters before =
gress are definitely settled. w