Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-01-21
Jaatcbman 4 State 5ournal.
BY +. p. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, JAN. 81. 1859.
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. Jan. ID. ls

Douglas. His organ here (the Estates her
aided his coming with gorgeous description
Of the public honors that awaited him, and
equally gorgeous account of it. The fact is
that much of the grandeur was in the story
very little in the reception itself True,
quite crowd Of his friends awaited him
at the depot. but Jonathan Cross-cut, Esq,
who is quite severe in matters Of fact, in
sist that everybody is met at the depot, every
day. by great crowd of friends composed
mainly Of hackmcn porters and pickpockets.
But the Little Giant did meet friends of
another sort, who attended him to his home,
were promised for the occasion. or the sound
Of drum, or even a "funeral note. The
bells were neither rung nor tolled. The
"States' apologized, on the ground that the
Marine band couldn't play because their com
handing officer had died on that day
"Bosh says Cross-cut, "thcrc are dozen
bands in the city whose masters didn't die
Then. said the Estates at the house there
was a vast crowd of the illustrious senators.
fellow citizens-"two hundred Irishmen, in
terposes Cross-cut And the giant was called
ont, and made an eloquent speech-"got rid
of EN- as soon as he could, grumbles Cross
cut Finally, said the Estates" there was
grand illumination-"a tar barrel" says
notwithstanding the surrounding buildings
and scenery l"three houses and clay-bank,
says Cross-cut) in blaze Of glory Now, in
this interjectory style, have given you both
accounts Of the reception" The truth is
that both are greatly exaggerated. As
demonstration Of public sentiment in the city,
the reception was strongly agaiast Mr. Doug
las-and the fact is that public sentiment
here is against him. The Administration
holds him at arms-length, while the Repub-
licans have received so much abuse from him
in the late canvass in Illinois that the sympa-
thy, which they felt for him so long as he
brayely contendcd for the right. has been
destroyed. He has forfeited their confidence,
and repealed the kindness they last year ex-
tended to him.
Pirate Bill Ddg-C Claims.
Friday last was private bill day, and the
House had the good luck to pass ten bills,
one Of which was Vermont claim-that of
Elias Hall. Better luck than | expected -
That large amount of claims provided for in
what is known as the French Spoliation bill,
has received the favor of the Senate, the bill
having been passed by vote of 26 to l9.-
The prospect of its success in the House is
favorable, # The bill can be reached. Although
this is bill for claims originating in com
merce destroyed by France previous to 1900,
and settled by our Government and France
by treaty at that time, some of the heirs and
representatives of the original claimants are
Vermonters. Unfavorable as the time is for
the success of claim which has existed for
half a century, and is so large in amount. the
injustice of longer delay is so great that |
hope for a favorable settlement, even now.
The Debates
In the Senate have been, for the past week
on retrenchment of expenses and the Pacific
Railroad-topics considerably contradictory.
fancy, for the reason that it will be mpos-
sible to build, or even TO run, Pacific Rail
road, without calling for very large annual
expenditure by the Federal Government. -
We may have retrenchment in present ex-
penses, and we ought to have it, as difficult as
it always is to take the back track but
though we may reduce to the lowest possible
point every item OF salaries and supplies. vet
If the present prevailing policy of annexation,
of buying and creating new territories. OF
railroad grants, and vast schemes of ocean
and land mail routes say, if this policy is
to go on, we may despair at once of ever see
ing any diminution of public expenditure.
The new claims upon the treasury will more
than oyer-balance all the retrenchments that
ever can be secured; and the annual incre-
ment of patronage, and consequently of pow
er, in the hands of the Executive, will annu-
ally weaken the resistance of the Senate and
the House. We have. then, not merely to
make stand for retrenchment. but against
this wild policy of extension and extrava-
gance' and constantly aim at u reduction OF
Executive power.
In the House, the slavery question has re-
ceived attention. Mr. Washbrun of Maine
on Tuesday made very strong speech foi
vigorously maintaining the Republican creed
and organization; and on Wednesday, the
venerable Giddngs of Ohio made one of his
old-iashioned, hearty and strong anti-slavery
speeches, therein abiding, with deep emotion
and with great honor, to his old colleagues
John Quincy Adams and William Slade. Mr.
Giddings substantially sustained the views Of
Mr.. Washburn, Mr. Giddings was surround.
ed by members Of all parties, and listened To
with great attention. To the credit of South.
ern representatives, will add that there was
no interruption, such as frequently occurs on
such occasions
Dissolution of the Union.
1t is my duty to say that the Union has
been dissolved e-almost-within q
week but business goes on Just as though
every stave and hoop was as sound as ever.
In the Senate, Mr.. Iverson of Georgia an.
nouncee dissolution, which is to take place
when the Republicans elect President and