Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-17

eoRREsPoNDENCE QEjIHN s1ANDARD.
14<y WAsHneros, Feb. 49,, 1865.
The sessions Of the two Houses Of Oongrsss hais
attracted during the past week, IN unusually large
attendance Of spectators msny Of whom were. doubt
iess drawn thither with the expectation of Witness
ing similar scenes Of disorder and wild confession u
those which characterized the proceedings in the
House on Friday night last Happily, however,
Tor the credit and honor of our national lexsxure
and to the chagrn of those who delight 10 these ex.
hibtons of istana, the strictest order and decorum
have prevailed =. 80 .
In the Senate the bill asking an increase Of the ar.
my is still under consideration, and has elected sew.
eral rampant speeches from the black Republican
SIDE, which at this juncture have peculiar and
startling significance. teit.-9
Mr.: Seward of New York, who is remarkable for
his far-seeng sagacity and prudence in the course
OF MS remarks approving an army increase gave ut.
terance to the following bold and boastfu language:
Sir. regard this battle as already fought; it is
over All the mistake is, that the honorable senator
and others do not know it. We are fighting for
majority of free States. There already sixteen
to fifteen, and whatever the administration may do
Whatever any body may do-be!ore one year from
this time, we shall be nineteen to fifteen If that is
so, what danger are we exposed 2"
These declarations of the New York senator are
strictly true. With sixteen free States against fit.
teen slave States, and Oregon and Minnesota terrific
RES with free State Constitutions now awaiting the
action OF Congress, and with q very large majority
in every department Of the national government,
this Prince OF black Republicanism may we'll tri-
umPhantly ask "what danger are we exposed to ?"
The Southern representatives in Congress clearly
understand that the real issue on the Lecompton
constitution is, whether not another slavehoding
State shall be admitted into the Union under any
circumstances whatever. Such is the true cause Of
the fierce fight now waging between the adminisra.
ton and the main body of the Democracy on one
SIDE, and the niger worshppers and their rene
gade democratic allies on the other.
On this Kansas question the South is unit They
have time after time made concessions to the aggres-
slve spirit OF the north and earnestly striven to pre-
serve the peace and harmony of the Union, but they
have now reached that point where honor will not
| allow the yielding of an inch of ground, without
surrendernng the rights and imperiing the dearest
interests of the South. The day of compromises is
North, have weakened the bonds of our brotherhood
and generated feeling of discomfort and bitter hos
tty which has already developed itself in the recent
sectional colhsioni the House. The present is
ing with active elements of evil which bode fearful
consequences should the North continue its reckless
and persistent disregard of the covenants of our
Union.
Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts, has delivered his STE
reotyped speech on Kansas, negro slavery etc !; it
was spiced with unusual bitterness and evinced
bullying pugnancy which would lead one to infer that
as his senator ial term expires be is exceedingly
anxious that some should honor him with a cas-
tgation similar to that inflicted his friend Sumner
in order to aid and further his reelection. That
dodge, however, is we'll understood and Mr.. Wilson
is allowed to expend his impotent fury and eerves-
cling wrath without the slightest molestation
John P. Hale of New Hampshire, who has been
not inappropriately styled the low comedian of the
Sena,e" appeared in quite different character on
the occasion of Mr.. Stewards favorng the army in.
crease. His lachrymose whining over the apparent
dsaffection of his great leader, and the pathos with
oh hoo L e
modification" were extremely touching. He failed,
however, in moving the mperturbabe Senator, not
wthstanding his speech interlarded with copious
applications of unctuous attery, the willy New York.
err perfectly understanding his game, and obstnately
| refusing to be hooked by an artificial hy.
The Senate Committee Foreign Affairs report
ed resolution authorizing the President to adopt
such measures and use such force as may be neces-
sary, in the event of the refusal of the Republic Of
Paraguay to redress the wrongs inflicted this GOV
| eminent.
| 1t will be remembered that there are number Of
complaints against this Republic; her last act Of
wrong doing being the firing of forts batteries in.
| to the U. S. Steamer Water Witch and killing one Of
the crew, whilst engaged in peaceful survey of the
Paraguay river, with view to ascertain its naviga
bility. 1t is believed that nothing short of the pres
ence of an armed force will insure q redress Of the
| grievances complained Of In the House of Repre-
sentatives the motion of Mr.. Stephens of Georgia
to refer the Kansas question to the Committee or
Territories was lost by vote. The resolution o.
Mr. Harris of Illinois, to refer the matter to select
committee of fifteen was adopted, when he mmed
ately moved to reconsider the VOTE and also moved
to lay the motion to reconsider on the table, both o.
which prevailed, thereby applying gag and effectu
| ally preventing further action being taken by thu
friends of the administration. This action of the
House, however, is not indicative of the failure o
Kansas admission into the Union with the Lecomp
ton constitution. From all can learn from the mos
reliable sources there is doubt that several VIII,
voted for Harris resolution WILL when the question
is fully presented of Kansas admission with her pres
ent constitution be found voting side by side will
the friends of the administration.
The following is list of the members CONSTITUTING
the select committee of fifteen, viz: Harris of III
(Douglas,) A. II. Stephens of Ga. (Democrat,) j.
Morrill, of Vt. d. Republican, John Letcher of Va
(Democrat,) Edward Wade of Ohio (B. Republican.
j. A. Quitman of Miss. (Democrat,) Warren Wins
low of N. C. Democrat,) Henry Bennett of n Y
(B. Republican, A. White Of Pa. Democracy D. S
Walbridge of Mich. (B. Republican, T. L. Ander
son of Mo. *. n. strong Lecompton man, j. w
Stevenson Of KY. Democrat,) G. B. Adrian of N. j
Douglas JAS Burlington of Mass. (B. Republican,
w. F. Russell of N. Y. (Democrat) ....
1t will be perceived that the four existing parties
GO in the House are represented on the committee
giving the friends of the administration majority
1t is rumored that Mr.. Harris frets and fumes mos
| furiously over the composition of the committee
This modern Atlas may possibly fiEd ere he gets to
the end of this matter, that he has assumed bur
den too weighty for even his broad shoulders, to
| bear.
A bill has been reported from the commerce com.
mttee providing for the greater security of the lives
| of passengers steam. going vessels It provides
an increased penalty for carrying inaammable and
explosive materials; makes it penal offence to
change the name of an old steamboat ard requires
that every steamer shall be provided with water
tight-bulkheads
The House committee patents are maturing q
bill of vital importance to the inventive genius Of the
country; it provides for complete codification o.
the patent laws makes the Office independent of the
Interior Department. and embraces several materia
and desirable changes in the entire system.
second attempt to lay the Atlantic cable viii