The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-08

upon the question Of the proper limitation of
suffrage have called forth some rather free
criticisms upon the character of the American
Congress, as showing the peculiar workings Of
our institutions 1t cannot be denied that there
is some truth In the assertions OF Earl Grey
and others, and the present Congress affords
the best evidence of their verify. When the
session opened there was great deal of noise
and confusion, turbulence and turbulence,
among some Of the fighting members whoswag-
gered and bullied In q swash-buckler way,
but, like Jack Falstaff, always found conve-
nient hole to creep out Of when matters be-
came serious. About month or six weeks
ago there was again great deal of war talk,
and some simple people in the rural districts
actually expected fight, but received only
some rather entertaining correspondence. Since
that time Congress has been a. stagnant as
Little Neck, clam1though not so dumb as
Shrewsbury oyster. Let the Globe attest
The fact is, then, that Congress has, 90 far,
done nothing whatever. 1t has not even ap-
preached any practical subject, and 1t Is quite
time that the members walked up to sense of
their responsibilities, stopped talking about
the almighty niger and went to work. We
do not expect any legislation upon the tariff,
or any other practical matter now before the
assembled wisdom of the country, but there
Is one subject upon which several Of the
members are, or claim to be- particularly
well qualified to legislste. That is the out
rageous insult offered by Great Britain to the
governing classes of the United States in with
holding the champions belt from the Hon. John
c. Heenan, NJ P. R., special representative Of
the muscle power of the United States near the
Court of ST. James and in that of St. Giles 1t
is time that we ascertained officially, what the
British government and the English people
generally mean by refusing to give up the belt
when it has been fairly won by the Hon. John G.
1t is not only the Benician hero that is insulted,
by this low-lived conduct on the part of the
British lion; it Is the affront offered to the
muscle power of the republic-a power be-
yond that of brains, steam, electricity, galvan-
lem, money-in fact, any known motive power.
The muscle kings make and unmake public
men !; they pull down old political edifces and
build up new ones they snap their fingers at
the law; they defy warrants; they hob-nob
with Judges, sleep with Aldermen, and
dine at the tables of Senators; and
now they point to the proud bird of
freedom, the Eagle Of the Republic, with one
eye half closed, and the other downcast and
respondent at the meanness of the old British
Lion, who seems to be very shaky on his pins,
and very queer about his morals in these latter
days.
In this view Of the case 1t is the duty Of
Congress to appoint one more investigating
committee, with full power to send for sporting
persons and papers. Nobody cares anything
about the Covode inquiry o. TO the Cabinet
Walker, Kansas or Forney, but the new COM
mittee would bring up fresh subject Of the
gravest Importance in the opinion Of every true
American of the stamp Of the late lamented po-
litician and philanthropist, William Poole. The
Muscle Committee should have plenary powers,
and should be instructed to inquire and report
as to all the facts of the mill between Heenan
and Sayers. Also appended to the report, and
testimony accompanying which latter would,
as usual give minute particulars as to the pri-
vate affairs of all the witnesses there should
be q resolution authorizing the appropriation
of say fifty thousand dollars for the outfit and
salary Of . commission to be sent to England
after the belt This commission should be
headed by Potter, with his five pound bowie
knife In his hand, and tailed by Pryor, with any
weapon that he can manage without injury to
himself or any one else. This commission should
be sent out in one of the new steam gunboats,
towing Stevens great battery, which might be
anchored of the Tower. The commission
should proceed at once TO Downing street and
demand the belt. Should Palmerston fail TO de-
liver IL at once, Mr.. Dallas would put the seal
Of State In his pocket, deliver mp his latch-key,
| and 20 on board the gunboat, when the bate
| ~ would Immediately begin to blaze away upon
London. We are quite confident that this Is the
only way In which the matter can be settled, the
British Lion properly punished, and the tone Of
the American Eagles scream brought up TO its
| accustomed vigor and we call upon some OF
| the fighting members Of Congress to agitate the
matter forthwith. II Is time that the dignity
| Of the body was vindicated from the assaults Of
| British Senators, who have taken advantage Of
the delightful way in which we wash our off,
cial dirty linen before the world TO hold up the
model republic TO the scorn and contempt Of
the effete aristocracies Of Europe. Let usshow
them that the American Congress stands ready
to vindicate the muscle power OF the country
and that, II II comes 10 the worst, our Eagle can
scream 90 loudly a. to drown altogether the
| rosys of the ion of Albion.
TRANSLATION or THE Holy SEE.-Some few
months since 1t was stated that In the event Of