American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-03-25
{. Washington Correspondence

the general opinion IN the city that Mr.
Orittsnden on yesterday pronounced the
funeral service Of the Lecompton Consti-f
tuition. II was an impsssioned and deeply
Interesting occasion. Hereafter, when the
history Of this period Of American affairs
shall be written. lei it no! be forgotten that
the l7th Of March, 1858, was the day on
which the Lecompiion Constitution receiy-
ed it's death blow. True party d scipline,
Executive patronage, bargain and fraud,
may secure triumph to the Lecompton
side in Congress; but such victories are
pregnant with disaster. The Nebraska
bill passed. but we look in vain upon the
floor Of Congress for those Democrats of
the Free States who voted for it. So
the Lecompton Constitution may pass
but those Northern and Western Demo.
Gratis who voted for it, will sign their own
political death warrants. II we can be-.
lieye history, party knavery secures only
temporary yictOrles--empty triumphs,
which like the Dead Sea apples. turn to
ssbes in the hands OF the possessor. "The
old man eloquent" arose; densely crouded
galleries surrounded him. and the lobbes
of the Senate chamber were filed with
privilege spectators, No Senators were
absent but those sick or away from the
city. The House OF Representa- tiyes was
nearly deIerted-at one time duiing Mr.
Crittenden's speech, nearly two hundred
vacant seats were counted in the halll
l shall not attempt 10 give a synopsis o
Mr. Ciittenden's speech You have doubt
less received full account by telegraph
He made two principle points 6rst that
the Lecompton Constitution was not the
choice Of the people Of Kansas; second
that the same Constitution was fraudl---
Sevaral other minor positions were assumed
and successfully maintained, but the tive
mentioned were the cheif subjects Of ar,
gument. TIE venerable Senator spok,
with all the power and eloquence of biz
early days in the Senate. Never was hi,
eminence ss a statesman, bis ability rs q
jurist. or his fame as an orator, more no
bly, set forth. write this in spirit O
Justice 10 one Of the purest and abest O.
men OF the Senate--s statesman OF whom
the gallant Commonwealth be represents
may well be proud, and The whole Union
look upon with respect and admiration.
He set tforth, il is believed, the position
assumed by the American party Of the
South. II cannot any longer be claimed
that the South is unit Tor the mes,ures
Of Mr.. Buchanan, To have such men as
Wise and Crittenden and Davis dissent
from the ultra Southern view Of things, it
is sign full Of dire portent 10 the Admin
ministration forces, The South gains
nothing by tbe admission Of Kansas under
the Lecomplon Constitution. On the con
trary, she perils much, She looses friends
at home and makes enemies in the free
States. Said Southern Democrat to me
a few days since: {" If / could only make
clear to my constituents my own private
ideas, l would vote against Lecomptou
heart and SOLE" His case is not solitary
one. Many Southern Senator will sacri.
foe his peScnal sense Of right and justsce
to save himself from The warmth of hi,
constituents. as 10 H
A movement is on foot to organize an
anti administration party in the South. 1
will, in fact be re- organization Ct the
American party upon a more liberal basis
than formerly "a basis upon which tht
Douglas Democrats and moderate Republi
cans OF the free States will not object
II to- fs'efsii. ru u.rt la 1-geil-
The Administration is now in sincere
tribalation. IfLecomplon is defeated it i,
feared Old buck will fret himself to deatt
in six months. He is greatly troubled a
the position assumed by Senator Critten
den and other Southern Americans. They
had oil been counted on by the Uuioa a,
safe for Leoompton. The uncertainty o
white men is. however. somewhat, no
torious! f,.aA 80 .rasf ia ,a jn
| Mr.. Pendlston. of Ohio made HE debut
in the House yesterday, He very wisel,
let Kansas alone, aud took up the army
bill. upon which he made a first rat,
speech, in cool. easy and GRACEFUL man
ner, which surprised some Of the old stag
ers who always look for little terpida'or
on the part OF a new beginner upon tn,
floor. Mr., Pendleton favored an increas,
ofthe regular army. aud hintsd pretty
broadly the acquisition Of Cuba and Centra
America. His numerous friends at no n,
will be pleased to learn that he commanded
good attention from the House, and on thC
whole did himself great credit.
I The best speech Of the session on mill
tary affairs was made by Col, Marshall, O
Kentucky. He triumphsntly vindicated
.he volunteer forces Of the country, and
made withering reply to Faulkimsrs ar.
1 gument that regulars were better soldiers,
\ more healthy and less expensive. etc. =
Mr.. Marshall showed the injustice Of com
Perisons Of cost made BY the War Depart
ment between The regulars and volunteers
aud alluded 10 the caSeuf his own regiment