M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-01-27
Correspondence
washington correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, '59.


1t was anxiously expected that
our legislators, after the festivities Of
the holidays, would return with re-
newed energy to their labOrs, and that
soon the country would see a praci-
cal demonstration of their wisdom in
wholesome laws, alike demanded for
our protection and lo1 the extension
of our borders. This expectation,
however, has not been fully realized.
Windy defamation and "buncomb"
speeches, have thus far consumed the
greater portion of the time of both
branches. Certain Republicans, TAX
ing advantage Of the latitude of de-
bate, have devoted their time to the
attempt at demonstrating what their
party might have been, but is not,
and in efforts to increase the unholy
spirit Of alienation, but too freely in-
dulged in by the North against the
South. Many leading measures Of
the session, too, in some stage Of the
proceedings, have given rise to sec.
tional discussion alike unwise and un-
profitable, and having a tendency to
defeat bills, but for this, with a ma
iority in their favor. This seems to
be particularly the case of the Pacific
Railroad Bill, which, in all probabili.
sy, Is to be defeated by its friends, un-
der the influences of the agitating cry
of Southern aggression, and in efforts
to exclude the possibility of line cx-
tending south of the 9th parallel Of
latitude.
Many able and patriotic speeches
have also been called forth by this
Bill, the most prominent of which,
perhaps, is that of the Honorable Sen
ator Houston, of Texas. Mr.. Uous.
ton is a gentleman of the old school
is some 65 years of age; over six
feet in height, with thin gray hair and
slightly bald, His fine form appears
to advantage in his plain dra6 suit,
with buff vest, and his commanding
figure, overtopping the common mass,
attracts the stranger and points him
out, on first view, as O parsonage Of
no ordinary character. His style Of
oratory is chaste, his expression clear
and forcible, and his sarcasm wther.
ing. The galleries were crowded in
expectation Of hearing him speak,
and the Senate, which at al times
presents a marked contrast to the
House in the mode of conducting bus.
mess, was on this occasion particular
ly dignifed; and so marked was the
attention, that not a single page was
seen to cross the Chamber, or Sena-
tor to move from his seat. The Brit
ish Minister, Lord Napier, who was
present oil that occasion, was heard to
remark that, before six years should
elapse, he would predict that Senator
Houston would be the most popular
man in the Union.
The consideration of the French
Spoliation Bill, has been laid over, by
the Senate, until February. This
bill! seeks indemnity on behalf Of the
representatives of American Merch-
ants for the seizure of certain merch.
ant ships by the French Government,
during the war between France and
England, prior to the Convention ol
Both September, in the year 1800.-
In that Convention, it is claimed that
our Government received advantages
in consideration of the loss sustained
by the merchants, and consequently
have assumed the responsibility that
would otherwise have devolyed upon
the French Government Of indemni,
flying them. The demand is for q
sum not less than five millions. The
claim, however just it may be, will
meet with these objections:
1sE-That a great proportion Of the
amount demanded, would, on pay
ment, find the pockets of lobbies and
spectators, rather than the real par.
ties in interest-who are perhaps all
dead-or their descendants.
2nd-From the present condition
of the public Treasury, this may not
be considered as a proper time to
make provision for the indemnity
claimed, in money; nor yet that the
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