Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-04-16
Our Washington COrrespondence...Th
Condition OF the Governments.
To tho Editors ofthe Minnesotian:

WASHINGTON, April Z.
Dispassionately surveying the present con-
dition of the Administration, we see it plunp.
ing along through quagmires of perplexity,
doubt and embarrassments; stumbling from
one huge blunder to another descending from
an overlooking treasury to bankruptcy; from
sound credit to the verge of discredit; from
hard money to certificates of debt" and
finally lost in a bewiderment of doubt, confu.
sion, disorder and disorganisation.
| say, viewing the government by its acts
and wanderings, consistent and firm in moth
ing but in lavishing treasure where least mer-
tied, and sustaining with offices such favorites
as by their want of principle have been reiec-
ted at the elections by the people, it is hard
to determine whether it most deserves COM
passion or contempt.
The Constitution makes it the duty of the
President, /" on extraordinary occasions to con-
vene both houses" of Congress. If ever that
time did exist, it certainly exists now. One
branch of epublic service is legally paralyzed,
and can only be supported by an arbitrary
stretch of power, substituting some wild ex-
pertinent of the Cabinet, for legitimate legis-
lation
The condition of our affairs in Central Amer
lea, brought about oy what the President is
pleased to call the " disloyalty" of Sir William
Gore Owsley, is truly pregnant with alarm
and danger. Itappears now that Mr.. Buchan-
an consented to this British Commissioner, on
his word of honor, to represent the American
interests of the United States.
This confidential agent, true to his heredi-
tary enmity, Buchanan complains has betrayed
him, and ended his diplomacy by excluding
the United States, and securing to England
and France all that their interests demaded.
So the President to day is in terrible furry
and lodges about like a chicken in a hail
storm. .tI.
War, "grim-visaged war;" is all the cry
now. Orders have already been dispatched
to the navy yards to get ready for immediate
service the Lancaster, Hartford, San Jacinto,
Constellation, John Adams, Levant, Ports
mouth, Mohican, Wyoming, and Naragan-
sett. aj
Now see what confidence may be placed
in the proclamations of the government. Only
Yesterday the Union proclaimed that all was
peace, and that Ousley had acted in good
faith, and that our Isthmusian difficulties were
nicely adjusted, whereas today he has ex-
ceeded or violated his instructions, and be-
trayed our country into the hands If the Brit
ish.
The truth is the British diplomats are t.,
much for us. In this instance they have most
bamboozlcd Mr.. Buchanan and
old Cass and exposed most singularly their
weakness and folly to the world. Who ever
heard of an American President employing
and entrusting so delicate and responsible
negotiation to foreign agent, whose country
bad long contended as an adverse claimant
for the same interests
The worst of it is, the mischief is irrepara-
BILE, except on the conditions of successful =,
war with Europe. This will not be fight
with Mormons, nor affrighted Mexicans. A
mock display of official power will not avail