The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-09
1he DlnaeultacS OF the Adm1nlstz q taoa-rh
DcmosalAAsaon oT Congress,

thc Ttsicency' Ia epise u the oeplorable con-
dition to which the democratic party was re-
duced in 1866 by the follies. imbecilties and
olunders of poor Pierce Not only, however,
was Mr. Buchanan thus elected against an ag-
gregate opposition majority of over three han
dred thousand in the Union but, from the diyi-
sion Of the opposition forces in the North, and
from their weakness in the South, he had the
good or, rather, bad-fortune to secure a de-
oisive party majority in both houses of bis first
Congress.
Thus fully authorized TO proceed to business,
the new President appointed an able, united and
conservative cabinet, and issued an inaugural,
indicating the landmarks of his general policy,
which commanded at once the general approba-
ton OF the country. He next proceeded to the
regulation of the turbulent border rufiian fac
tons of Kansas, in way which still further en-
listed the public confidence, though very much
to the disgust of the disorgani2ing anti-sla-
very uNras Of the North and pro-slavery NAL
contents of the South. Thus, for short
time, the path before Mr.. Buchanan appeared to
be smooth, level and inviting. But with the
assembling Of the new Congress at Washington
this pleasing aspect Of things was instantly
changed. Instead of disciplined and decisive
working majority in each house, the democracy
in BOTH with the reading of the annual mes
sage, betrayed the worst symptoms of factious
generalization
The administration instead Of being second
ed by united Congressional party, upon great
principles and great measures, was met upon
the very threshold by the most discerdant
factious, disorderly and INSCRIPTIONS body OF
plotting politicians and wouldbe Presidents
that have ever assembled together at Washing
ton to make laws for the American people. We
have two great parties in the country-or
three, if we may include the rump of the Know
Nothing party-but neither of these parties,
nor the administration can be said to have a
representative party in Congress- Democrats,
republicans, Know Nothings, in the Senate and
in the House they have all been cut up into lit
tie sectional factions or local cliques; and in
stead of administration and opposition leaders
we have sectional conspirat0rs, rebelli6us dema.
gogues and paltry schemers and buck
sters for the spells and plumber Of the success
sion. Thus the political gamblers which make
up the governing elements of all parties in the
present Congress have reduced the two houses
pretty much to the level Of the present wrang-
ling. squabbling and fighting factions of Tam
many Hall. The material difference between
the two places is the difference between the
spoils and plumber Of the next Presidency and
the small potato Offices of the New York Custom
House.
Upon every prominent measure OF the adj
ministration thus far, We have seen this pre-
dominant spirit of a disorgauiziug sectionalism,
or factious opposition in some shape or other,
brought into play. First upon the Lecompton
constitution, we find Mr.. Senator Douglas and
his associate renegades abandoning his own
favorite bantling, the Kansas Nebraska bill,
and going over bag and baggage to the black
republican camp. Failing to rule the admins
tration, Mr.. Douglas will at least have his re-
venge. Next, upon the filibuster question and
the Utah army bill, we find the Southern fire
eaters among the most intractable and in
consistent Of flibusters. In the one case they
are ready to involve the country in all the
perils of general war; in the other they are
20 very squeamish that they cannot vote few
regiments of troops 10 restore law and order
among the Mormons and Indians for fear Of
creating an army dangerous to the liberties Of
the country. Such are the qualifications of our
hair-spltting fire eaters OF the South.
But our black republican holy alliance of the
North has placed itself in the highest box of
qualification. They have, for quarter of u
century. been fighting the anti-slavcry battle of
mo more slave States-no more slave Terrific
again, to admit Kansas under pro-savery con-
stitution, which they have denounced as the
moN infamous outrage ever attempted to be
thrust upon free people. And why have they
thus eaten up their own words and trampled
their principles and platform into the dust:
ministration. They have made consistency,
principle, and even their intense hatred of the
"slsve power, secondary TO their hatred OF Mr..
Buchanan. And such are the difficulties and
the factions with which the administration has
10 deal in Congress. What is the prospect IL
j. tnlHE put W pchCc
prosperity Of the country, the solvency of the
government, or the safety of the Union.
THE Hin AND CRY ABour THE PURCHASE on
LAMBS BY THE GoyERSNEST.--W Whenever the
general government finds il necessary to pur-
chase lands for military or other purposes, or
10 dispose Of those no longer needed, there is
always hue and cry raised by the Spectators
who have been disappointed IN making some
pickings out Of the operation. These clamorers
do not hesitate to impute fraud and corruption
TO honorable men--even those filing some of
the highest offices Of the government We all
remember the howl about the Fort Smelling
reservation, when the Secretary Of War sold il
70 an individual for sum since shown 10 have
been it, full value, and the highest which,
owing to the operations Of a conspiracy of
spectators in that neighborhood, it could posi-.