Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-19
ALEXANDRIA,:

SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 10, 1859.
The Richmond Enquirer has IAN appeal
to the Democracy of Virginia, for thorough
organization" 1t commences its appeal rs
follows
eve have laughed at and ridiculed the re-
organization of the Opposition long enough:
it is time sober reason had been consulted,
and action begun. 1t is folly to deny that
there is danger to the Democratic party from
the recent enthusiastic and thorough organ
ization of the Opposition. Let any candid
man look at the condition of the two parties,
and he will scarcely say that there is no
danger"
And it concludes its appeal with the fol-
lowing lange at newly discovered clique,
in the Democracy, called, it will be perceived,
the "cLosET POLITICIANS" The last note of
the appeal looks like any thing but harmo-
ny or thorough organization"
mo party ever suffered by an over esti-
mate Of its adversary's strength. We may
have over estimated, and we hope we have:
we should like very much to have the error,
if it exists, pointed out. We desire to make
plain and evident the danger that besets our
party from the delusiOn of overwhelming
strength. We desire to show the necessity
for union and harmony. But many are the
reforms that are to be made before union and
harmony can be brought about. An open
ddu-liQM organization must be made; the
politicians of the closet must abandon their
secret and covert organization, and admit
l>o.r ltofin
We have broken down the denizens OF the
culrerts, and we are prepared to open our
batteries upon the oligarchy of the closet
The people are arousing in the COMPRESSION,
al districts, and in some OF the Senatorial
Districts thunders loud and deep mutter the
doom of the closet kings. :.
Mr.. Letcher can unite and harmonlse his
party and lead it to victory again, if ne can
only dissolve the banded organization of the
closet that weighs upon the people and would
perpetuate Office. Without the dissolution OF
the closet corps, harmony is impossible and
defeat certain.
The responsibility of Mr.. Letcher's nomi-
nation belongs to the closet politicians, and
his defeat shall be chargeable to them like
wise. They can elect him or defeat him.
The alternative is with them, and MIR. Letch-
er had better begin, before he leaves Wash
inpton, the good work of reforming this
abuse, of exclusive closet organization, which
has already worked sufficient injury to the
Democratic party of Virginia"
The House of Representatives., on Thurs
dsy, at the instance of Mr.. Phelps, of Mis-
souri,, went into Committee on the Army Ap-
preparation bill, and general debate was ter
minated at 3 O'Clock. Amendments We're
then considered. The provisions of the bill
were explained by Mr.. Phelps, who referred
to the increase of the army from fifteen to
nineteen regiments, five Of them mounted,
and to large public works and buildings,
which, though under the superintendent OF
the War Department, were not properly
chargeable to the army. .
Mr.. Faulkner, on behalf Of the Military
Committee, stated some reductions which 1t
WAS proposed to make, ut the suggestion OF
the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Chaffee favored the policy OF having a
small army. but referred to the large amount
of military work. He thought the pruning
knife should be applied where the least inju-
nv could be done.
Mr. Stanton moved to strike out the item
of ono hundred thousand dollars for the re-
cruiting service. lie thought the country
only needed the skeleton OF an army.
Mr.. Branch called attention to the tact tha'
there was no army In the world that nao NJ
large number of officers, IN proportion u
privates, as our army.
Mr., Stanton made further remarks in sup
port of his motion to strike out the approprl-
alton for the recruiting service; ana Mr.
Faulkner moved to reduce the appropriation
To ninety thousand dollars, which sum, ne
tboupht. would be sufficient for the present.
Pending this motion, the House adjourned.
The debts of the different nations and
states are estimated in the European States
at more than ninety-nine hundred and eighty
millions of dollars-$9, $50, Sl3,16S. The
most deeply indebted nations are: Great BIZ
tain. $3.S76,563,7 4o; France. 81. O6,3SS, 49@;
Austria, 81 POS, 42O, 900; Russia, Sl,o4l ,4l4,-
1o3: Spain, s732, 1905 4s; Holland, $780,
395 337. and Prussia, Portugal, Sardinia
Relo;um. and Denmark. seyerally, owe more
than one hundred millions. The Centrai
and South American States owe S3oe,o9o''
ola of which Mexico is set down for Sl5o,
526,242; Brazil, $73, 81, $50; Peru, S4o, 4ol )
3s7: Venezuela, So, 1865, 600, and the others
various sums from one quarter of million
to fifteen millions Of dollars.
The Union continues to fire a~ay into
Congress-calls the Congressional Globe
containing the speeches of members "a steam
whistle"-and asks, 'is long speech big
remedy for financial disease?-is bold ex-
aggeration or Misrepresentation about the
cost of maintaining a regiment, the ex'
travagance of paying debts audited by Con
gress, and the wickedness of enforcing ex-
listing laws, practical mode Of retrench-
ment?
At tho democratic convention for nominal
ting candidate for Congress from the
wheeling district, at the ensuing election,
the Hon. Sherard Clemens received every