New-York daily tribune., 1859-12-29
Nemauk daily Gribm,te
FROM WASHINGTON.


THE souTH AMERICANS OF THE HoUsE-THEIR
ABILITY AND NATIONAL SENTIMESTs-NEL-
SON, ETHERIDGE, AND ANDERsoN-REAsoN
FOR DEMOCRATIC HATE.
Correspondence Of The ~ Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1859.
One of the frat facts that will strike an observer
of the present House Of Representatives, in its
desutory and disorganized struggle is the extraOr-
dinary tact and high mental ability Of the sO-caled
..South Americans" The Democracy have been
from the beginning of the session extremely beli-
cose. Like the roaring "bulls of Bashan" they
have pushed their horns in every direction for an
antagonist. The Republicans. in the confidence of
assured power, have left the Democratic champions
to exhaust their breath in believing over the uncon
tested field. But, resolved on having an adversary
and fight, these cornuted knights have made
dash at anything crossing the arena; and now aud
then the reckless invader of the campus has been
South American member, who has met such ene-
mics before and is not at all alarmed at the terrible
amount of sound that heralds their presence and
heir attack.
Nearly every intellectual and moral battle on the
floor of the House SO far-JOhn Hickmans mem0r-
able wrestling with the powers Of darkness being
the most noted exception-has been between the
Democrats and the South Americans, and it is
universally admitted that in every case the South
Americans have come of with the laures ofylctory.
In the beginning Mr.. Nelson of Tennessee, in one
dashing and brilliant charge, overthrow the Vir-
gina knight Roger A. Pryor, and left him wallow-
ing in the dust where the victorious champion bad
first trampled John b. Clarks resolutions, which
were the red flag that began the fight. Pryor, who
was previously the most 'irrepressble' patriot IN
the House became from that time quiet school
boy chewing the cud of bitter discomfort on back
eat after punishment.
Scarcely day has passed since that memorable
disaster to the rrepreseble Democrats without the
casting of stone by one OF their speakers INTO
the camp Of the South Americans In most cases,
il has been picked up harmless, and hurled BACK
with severe effect upon the Democratic ranks; ana
generally IL has fallen TO the lot OF that versatile
political fighter, that gallant champion OF popular
rights. the Hon. Emerson Etheridge of Tennessee,
"a retort upon the assaiants of the South American
marty and policy Ii is enough 10 say that the col
eeted and calm Etheridge has not yet made mis-
take, nor failed to bring bis adversary down help.
less at his feet, exposing at once to the House and
Ia the country the weakness Ot hs armor and the
badness OF his cause. The country has much to
hope from the high talents, and national al-em-
bracing patriotism of Emerson Etheridge, and men
Ike him who can afford to despise the selfish aud
proscriptive policy within which the Democracy
would cramp his nature and sentiments.
But the experience with Nelson and Etheridge
did NOS suffice The indiscretion Of the Democrats
aroused still a third champion Of the Southern OPP
position. in the person OF the Hon. Wm. c. Ander-
son Of the IVth District Of Kentucky-a district
that for the past ten years has been represented
| only by Democrats. Last week, when the Demo
Gratis failed Ia induce the Americans to vote for
| Gen. John = MillsoR for Speaker, Democrat,
nominated by Alex. X. Boteler, the sole American
representative from Virginia, the Hon. III. L. Bur
| nett OF Kentucky one Of the abest men aud best
speakers OF his party took the floor and poured Os
torrent Of eloquent invective against the Amer:
| cans whose alliance had just been courted To ald
| in electing Millson charging them with having de-
serted the flag of Henry Clay, and his principles
and with having converted the gallant Old wing
party into a miserable Know Nothing party.
Mr. Burnett addressed himself directly TO Mr. An
| derson as the Member representing the IVth Dis
trict of Kentucky. On being thus singled out, Nr.
! Anderson Iose and said, Il represent the IVth
! District Of Kentucky"
For the present. was the sarcastic reply OF
| Mr.. Burnett auding to the fact that Mr. Ander
! sons seat was c0ntested.
| Yes. for the present said Mr.. Anderson " aud
" ] bote till the end Of this Congress. However
- IT, on examining all the facts in the ease. it Is no
- found that have received majority of the lega
votes east in my District shall cheerfuly aban-
| /" don the seat hold in this body.
Mr. Burnett's allusiOR to the tenure OF his col
leagues seat was universally felt to be IN exeeedlne
! bad taste. His Own friends felt it to be 80. Bul
| Mr. Burnett made bad worse by proceeding TO vin'
dieate his allnsor 70 if, and utterng an er part
statement, to the effect that "on the face OF thS
"polLbOcks, Mr. Anderson was not elected Il
1" Congress-
Dir. AndersoD's reply to Mr.. Barnett the next do!