The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-17
I" GAME OF BRAG."


"GAME OF BRAG"
at will be seen by the Senate debate of to.
day that the Republicans and Senator Douglas
have fairly beaten the Administration in its
game of brag on the British outrages. On this
subject it was well remarked, the other day, BY
Sartiges, tie French Minister, in reply TO .
distinguished Senator who was saying that the
late war speeches in the Senate were intend ed
entirely for home consumption, that Foreign
Governments ought to have private instructions
by which to construe the language of American
statesmen, 30 as to know how much 10 to be
taken literally, and how much is meant for
Bunkonl.' The effect of this observation was
heightened by the strong accent placed on the
last syllable. "-Wash. Cor. N. Y. Ere. Post.
If that distinguished Senator" believed
what he said, he did not signalizs his discretion
by making a foreisn Minister his confidan
As to the French Minister, he has profsed lit.
tie by his residence in this country, if he has
not learned that the last thing the American
People will tolerate is, any interference with
their flag.
On this point there is no "game of brag :"
and it is just as we'll that Foreign Governments
should know it. No Party in this country that
should tolerate the claim of right on the part
of any foreign Power to visit and search our
vessels in time of peace on the high seas,
for any purpose whatsoever, could live, or
would deserve to live.
We do not spprehend war with England,
simply for the reason that we do not believe
the English Government will hesitate to disa
VOW the acts of her cruisurs, and make suitable
PREPARATION.
AN ATTEMPT TO ABOLISH CHEAP POSTAGE.
The Public will be surprised to learn that
a serious attempt was made by the Senate to-
wards the close of the session, to abolish the
Thanking privilege, and raise the rate of letter
postage from three to fce cents! 1t was An
sfter-dinner movement; thirsy-one Senators
were ABSENT the subject had not been dis
cussed, proposed, or dreamed of; and yet,
without debate, without examination, without
any intimation to opposing Senators, the at.
tempt was boldly made in bare quorum of the
Senate, to effect revolution, damaging the
interests of every business house and every
family in the country. BY vote of l8 to Is,
that is, by a vote of eighteen out of sixty four
members, the post Office appropriation bill was
amended, 80 as to abolish the frank,ng priv.
iege, and raise the postage to five cents. The
House. as might be expected, refused to concur
in the amendments. A Committee of Confer.
ence was appointed. No agreement could be
effected, and another committee was appoint
ed with no more success. The Senators who
had undertaken to dragon the Representa-
uVes OF the People into submission to their
will, grew indignant; the House was firm and
spirited, and laid the whole subject on the
table. Another bill, precisely like the original
one, was reported, put through all its stages,
passed, and sent to the Senate. Some of the
Senators talked largely of their rights, and an.
grily about the House, and without doing any
thing further, at twelve o'clock Saturday night
that excited body adj ourned. The sober second
thought, however, prevailed. Monday, the
House, to give the Senate q last opportunity to
recede, reconsidered the vote by which it had
tabled the first bill and the amendments, and
agreed to q third committee of conference
The Senate receded from its amendments, and
the bill was then passed.
1t is well that it did. In almost any struggle
between the two Houses, the People will be
apt to side with the popular branch; but on
such an issue as that of cheap postage, DELHI
crate attempt of the Senate to browbeat and
subdue the House, would cover it with over.
whelming odium. As it is, that body is not
quite 80 popular as it might be. 1t is too
much under the domination of Glass Interests.
The members, elected for six years, and not
by the people, but by intermediate bodies, have
too little sympathy with popular ideas. The
cOndnct of that portion of them who attempt
ed to change our system of cheap postage,
shows how profound their ignorance of the
masses of the People, or how reckless of their
interests. Slaves do not use the post Office |;
and as to the poor whites of the South, they
nave little interest in its facilities, and no inu
enee over the men who represent their States.
SiaVeholding Senators either suppose the mass
Is OF the free-States People to be in similar
condition, or care nothing for their wants.
mat they should be indifferent or hostile to
eneap postage, is to be expected. The free
otates yield q net revenue on postage to the
"enersi Government-the slave States are al
ways deficient. Appropriations from the Treas
Ofy to make up the deficit, would be equitable
enough, although the burden would be borne
" 'ne whole country for one of its sections.
Du' these magnanimous Senators will have
none OF this; they insist that the Post Office
apartment shall pay for itself; which means,
'nA' the postage shall be so regulated that the
Ne' revenue in the free States shall co implicitly
Io'er the deficit in the slave States that the
eople OF the former shall be heavily taxed in
their letter correspondence, to furnish mail "a.
e''''ss 10 the latter