New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-10
spent years in attempting to produce such machine
but they were q century too soon.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence q The n. Y. Tribune.
NJ u

was popular feeling ever so much excited here as
in the anxiety to witness the opening struggle on
Kansas this morning. AT sn early hour all the
Hobbies and halls were thronged With dense crowd
hurrying 10 the great center Of attraction. Long
before noon the immense galleries which span the
hall were filed with thousands of both sexes pre-
senting spectacle of interest in itself rarely to be
met elsewhere, and never seen in Washington
before. The capacity of the new hall was severely
tested, and with general satisfaction, for hardly
half of this multitude could have found accom-
modstion in the old galleries At l23 O'Clock the
two parties approached each other, with cautious
eagerness for the combat The first proposition
was on the call for the previous question, demanded
by Mr.. Harris in his amendment, which was sus
tanned by division through teers, with majority
of five for the Opposition-leas no. Nays iOo;
This indication only stirred the blood quichened
the pulse throughout the chamber. Nigilant mana
gers sent out for the stragglers within hang dis
tsnce and began 10 prepare in earnest for the con-
test.
The next test was upon ordering the main ques-
tion. for which the roll was called and resulted lib
Yeas to l07 Nays. 1t now became evident to the
Administration side that they must either submit
to defeat or summon every vote that could be com
manded. Encouragement and confidence were
divisions had strengthened their hopes. Mr..
Stephens motion 10 refer the Message to the Com
mitiee on Territories, OF which he is chairman fol.
lowed, and upon every vote, as it was called and
answered, attention appeared fixed. At length the
Clerk stops. The roll is read, and members remote
from the desk rise up one after another, to inquire
if their names are recorded. Finally, the inexOr-
able figures are read BY the Speaker: Yeas, ll3;
NAYS, ia After the first breath of suspense was
fha
galleries, but was quickly checked. The popular
heart could not completely stop the outburst OF its
emotion.
This yrs the turning point of the struggle, and
victory perched upon the banner OF the Opposition
Just then, Mr.. Savage of Tennessee indicated
purpose to renew the parliamentary tactics OF Fri
day night; but upon being appealed to by MIR. Har-
ris relnquished it becomingy. Ii Is now proper
TO review some of the incidents connected with the
contest before proceeding to the conclusion. MIR.
Murray of New York, one Of the absentees on the
Republican side returned here TO record his vote,
under circumstances Of domestic sorrow which
elected the warmest expressions OF sympathy and
respect from all sides. His conduct on this Occa-
sion s, however only a consistent part Of his whole
rreproachable career in Congress. Mr.. Eide, Also
was AT his post in season, to relieve the anxiety Oi
friends who could not reach him by telegraph. MIR.
Matteson did not obey the summons and jeapord-
ton side. Messrs Corning, Soaring and Clark, of
New-York, appeared and swallowed the pill with
some comtortions of visage. Messrs. Miller and
Burns of Ohio who were classed Is ANTI Leconp-
ton men, with misgyings as To the former, voted
straight out under the lead of Stephens; and 80
did Nblack of indiana from whom change was
anticipated.
When this result was announced, q motion to
agree to Harris's amendment was next in order.
Then Mr. Clark of New-York rose and asked to be
excused from voting assigning as reason that II
he voted III the affirmative it would be inconsistent
with his record Stephens's resolution; while, If
in the negative, it would imply an ndispOsitiOn to
investigate which be was not inclined to manifest.
The House refused his request. But Sickles, COch-
rane and various members from New York and other
States surrounded his chair, urging recOnsidera-
ton of his intention, but without apparent effect.
The drummers of the Administration, headed by
Steadman, the public printer, might be- seen on the
floor, pressing the doubtful, persuadlng the weak,
and perhaps threatening the timd. The Clerk called
the roll, and Harris's amendment prevailed by
vote of ia Yeas to Ill Nays, Clark and Gilmer of
n. c. failing to answer. On the succeeding motion
to reconsider and lay on the table Nback joined
the Opposition, and Gllmer voted with the Admins
tratiOn making the division lis Yeas to Ill Nays
which result was repeated on the final adoption,
when Pendeton changed. After which, and per.
sonal explanation from Mr.. Keitt and Mr.. Grow,
the House ad jouned.
1t may be well to look at the contingencies by
which this days work was beset and by which the
future aspect of the question may be affected In
full House there are 233 votes, exclusive Of the
Speaker. On the great test this morning
Stephens's motion-227 were recorded, 1l3 Yeas
and ia Nays. The Administration side lost the
following votes: Mr.. Caruthers, absent from the
country Mr. Bonbam, sick in South Carolina; Mr..
Harris, engaged in taking testimony in his election
case in Baltimore; and Mr.. Leidy, paired of. Ex-
Guiding Caruthers and adding the three Others would
give them aggregate Of ll6. The Republicans
lost Matteson absent and Reilly, paired of. Add
Ing these two, their aggregate would be 49, or a
tie, with the Speaker 10 give the casting vote.
These are the naked facts. Public opinion may
make changes before the LecOmptOn Constitution
comes before the House.
But, although the Opposition have gained this
opening victory, the Administration il by no
means disheartened. On the contrary some of the
leaders are loud in their exultatlon predicting ult
mate success certain, because Of the closely bal
anced state Of parties. They know their men, aud
abe means by which they may be approached and
captured. And they are rendered more sangulne in
this confidence by the history of the Nebraska
campaign, when an opposition of twenty-One nj the
outset was subdued and brought into submission.
Kansas not only engrossed attention in the House,
but engaged the Senate during sitting OF tye
hours. Mr.. Fessenden made one Of his command
ing efforts reviewing the whole of events in
that Territory, the Presidents Message, and the
opinion of the Supreme Court, with clearness,
force and perspicacity, which extorted admiration
on one side and challenged respect on the other.
At its conclusion, Mr.. Jefferson Davis who was, |
perhaps excited and disturbed by the defeat in the
other end of the Capitol, undertook to critieise
the speech, with some personal references and in
temper, which called up Mr. Fessenden
afterward who administered one Of the most
scathing rebukes ever heard on that floor /
He stood his ground like hero, telling the Senator