Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-02-16
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1859.

Oome crack Drained Frenchman once wrote vol
luminous treatise on the Human race" physically
md Intellectually considered from the earliest age
Town to the present tme in which he declared his
conviction that in stature, intellectually and lon
gevty we had gradually declined and would continue
to do so until the human race became extinct or ul
hmated in dwelling idiots and gibbering madmen.
Credulous and gullibe as the world is people only
smiled at the ingenious sophisms of this specious
and most learned pundit, and he and his startling
theory were soon forgotten. do not pretend to
aver that the author Of this work might now issue
supplement citing the legislation Of the present
House of Representatives as proof of his theory
not at all, simply mean that in reviewing the his
tory of this session. the Frenchmans treatise occur
red to me and thought there might, after all, be
something in it. If majority of the members of
the present Congress are representative types other
constituents, should incline to the belief that the
time predicted 3y the above mentioned writer was
speedily drawing nigh, for Intellectually they
small men-nery smalEwhom nature. in a capriei-
Gus mood seems to have endowed with brains on the
homeopathic order, and who lacking all the essentials
of statesmen owe their position to the arts and low
cunning of the demagogue rather than to talent or
fitness for the place. These are the men who OBJ
struct legislation, who ignorant of the coantrys re-
sources and necessities, unac9uaned with its prac
tcal workings and incapable of controlling or d.
recting properly its operations trust alone to the
crude notions imbibed in the pestilent atmosphere
of dead Rabbit Clubs or else act in obedience to
ftful caprice and the promptnss of self:interest.
Dignifed legislators! Prudent statesmen! What
msnomers! Were it not notifying to our nation
al pride, the convusive and futile efforts made to
economic would be laughable. Perpetrated by a
corporation it would be contemplate and ridiculous,
but by the highest Legislative body in the land it is
truly disgraceful. Burdened with a debt and with
treasury vaults depleted, majority Of them stand
like frightened children who have thoughtlessly set
in motion some ponderous and complicated machine,
whose destructive motions they have neither the
power or capacity to check While on every hand
the cry comes up from the people for retrenchment
they recklessy reduce our revenues by the passage
of pension bills. agricultural bills, homestead bills
and then seek to remedy the matter by the applca-
ton of ''specfc duties" 1t was believed that a
reduction in expenses was aimed at not an in
creased tariff to meet expenditures which are re-
garded as unwise and extravagant. do not think
the present tariff will be altered; there are some
good oldfashoned democrats who regard the present
tariff as the best possible one we could arrange, and
amply sufficient to bring in revenue enough for an
economical administration Of the government To
those newly generated democrats () whose locks
still drip with the baptismal waters and who still
retain some remains of the old Wing leaven, these
"specic duties" are cordially endorsed as an old
friend in modified FORM The wool interest of the
north will, of course, favor higher duties and the
odds and ends may unite to effect some change, but
doubt it.
The Hon. VIM Smith, of Virginia, after careful
survey of the entire field after patient porting
books, records and musty papers, has hit upon the
plan to save large sums to the government Hepro-
poses to cut down the salaries of clerks in the pub
lie departments in this city. Mr. Smith is man of
inertia great tinancier-an economist but this
comes with an i'll grace from gentleman whose
faithful and intense affection for Uncle Sans money
bags, won him the so6riquet of Extra Billy" and
who has son filling the place of Navy Agent at
San Francisco, Cal, at salary Of 900, the reduc
tion Of mhich is not contemplated by Mr.. Smiths
plan. doubt very much whether the gentleman
from Virginia will vote for his own proposition if it
is brought before the House. The House, however,
has taken some steps towards reduction, and as it
affects their own pockets they deserve some credit
for it. The mileage of members for the next Con-
gress is stricken out of the appropriation BILL but
do not think it will amount to anything the next
session will include it in deficiency bill. Why did
they not repeal the act granting mileage, then the
people mig ht have had some faith in this show of
frugality?
In the Senate the resolution of Mr. Bigler in rela
ton to the tariff has elected an able speech from
Mr.. Toombs in opposition to any change in the pres
ent one. Mr. Clingman, of N. c., followed on the
same side.
The bill for placing at the disposal of the Pres-
dent thirty millions for the acquisition of Cuba is
now before the House. and speeches have been made
by Messrs. Fort, Pugh and Benjamin The effort
of the last named gentleman is regarded as one of
the ablest ever made in the Senate he is chaste
finished orator. and has the faculty of giving inter-
est to any subject he discusses.
In the House number of speeches have been de-
livered upon every conceivable subject. Loveoy-
the preacher and negro stealer-has made his annu-
al splurge, characterized however, by additional
bitterness lie is about the filthiest mouthed rep
rebate that ever crept in among decent people, and
as cowardly as he is mean. Vance of N. CT hope
he will pardon me for this mention of his name after
Loveioy's-has made his first set speech. 1t is
Whigish, of course, and touches upon the tariff dis
tribution of public ands and the Pension bill which
recently passed the House his vote aiding it. Vance
is little wild on the "furrner" question, but as
he will have no opportunity to carry out this, or
any of his Anticipated Wing views, and is undenably
sound on the "nigger question: well as favorably
inclined to aid the Democracy in their warfare on
the Republicans, he can pass at present.
The bill for the admission of Oregon as State is
now before the House, and will be voted on to-day
am of the opinion that it will be dcfeated-deeat-
ed as the Union would say, for the want of votes.
And defeated it should be, inasmuch as it has not
yet been shown that she has the requisite popula-
ton. We have States enough now-too many free
States for the we-being OF the South, and regard
it as suicidal policy for southern men to strain a
point to thrust in free State before she has at
tanned the necessary growth. 1t is bad enough to
have them multiplying SO rapidly in proper course,
but to after them and drag them in before they
have attained their full STATURE is too great stretch
of generosity.
Several southern Democrats will vote against her
admission; the Know Nothings will also oppose it
because of the provision in her constitution concern
ing the elective franchise and quite number of
Republicans are dead against it. on account Of the
recognition of the bred Scott decision.
There is some talk of Pryor of the States, and
Mr. Forsythe, of Georgia, publishing Democratic
paper in New York City. 1t is rumored that this
project will be put into execution with sink
ing fund of 100000. Whoever furnishes the
needful will be apt to find itliterally sinking fund.-
Pryor yields trenchant blade upon his enemies,
but it often and severely falls upon his friends
he is great to tear down. but impotent to build up.
The two investigating committees are drawing
their labors to close, and will report to the House
J. IT