Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-03-28
WASHINGTON cORREsPONDENCE.
WAsHMaroN C1rY. March 2s. 1se

steamers off the city of Vera Cruz is the engrossing
topic of discussion in political circles here The
prompt decisive action Of our Gulf squadron at once
precipitates speedy solution Of the complications
attending the Mexican question The present state
OF affairs in this distracted country certainly pre-
septs very remarkable aspect The insurrectionist
Mramon, holds the City Of Mexico where our cti-
:ens' rights have been violated with IMMUNITY, and
our minister insulted and compelled to leave the
country. Added to this we have the capture of the
aforementioned steamers by our Navy, the landing
of marines at Minatitlan for the protection of our
citizens, frontier excitement in Texas which will
probably lead her to hostlities with the neghboring
Republic of Mexico; and lastly. the evident conni-
vance of the Spanish authorities in Cuba, IN allow
ing the fitting out of the war-steamers under the
command of Capt Marin The fact that this expe-
dtion was fitted out in Cuba, and that the Spanish
government does not permit any kind of war mate
rails on the island except for government use very
clearly shows that the officials there privy to-
and aided in fitting out this hostile expedition. If
this connvance be established satisfactorily it
may tenG to increase chances Of the acquisition
OF Cuba How are we to settle these difficulties,
seems now to be the question. For the present
complicated foreign relations the country should
hold the Republican party responsible. This gov
eminent recognized that of Juarez as legitimate,
and entered into treaty with it of the most adran-
tageous character to u.s. This treaty was approved
by the President and only needed the sanction of
the Senate to 60 into effect, when the whole
matter would by our intervention have been settled
in trice But this, the Republican party in the
Senate had no idea of permitting Having always
labored assduously to cripple and render nugatory
the sagacious foreign policy Of our Executive, and
thinking moro of party than their country, they
have exhibited bitter hostility to the ratification
of this pending treaty. They fear that the success
full carrying out of the policy of the administration
would prove detrimental to their party interests and
strengthen the Democracy and to avoid such results
they would be willing to let 1.-THE Union slide."--
From present indications this Janus-aced party
exceedingly anxious to get on another tack and re-
pair the mischief they have done. Such hypocrisy
and total disregard of the wellbeing of the whole
country, when their party interests endangered
will tell upon the honest Masses however.
Senator Bragg of N. c., delivered lengthy
speech in the Senate in opposition to the payment of
certain Florida claims, made, believe, at the time
of the cesson of that territory to this government
1t is highly spoken Of exhibiting great research,
and sound, clear reasoning
Senator Clingman has also spoken recently on
the Homestead bill, now before the Senate. 1t is
impossible for me to hear all the speeches delivered
in Congress- and the length of time taken to get
them in revised and readable form prevents me,
in this case, noticing Mr.. Cs speech as would like
to. Those who heard it, however represent it as
able argument in opposition to the free, reckless
distribution of the public lands. His amendment to
the bill, giving to every head of family, who is a
citizen of the United States 100 acres of land wheth
or occupied and titled by him or not, was capital
hit and will 60 far to open the eyes of the people to
the wholesale p!undering of the public domain, con-
templated by these Homestead bills. Senator G. is
opposed to all such bills, but he very properly in
siss that if the lands are to be squandered that
all shall share alike This, however, will not suit
the purposes Of the Republican party. who stri
wing TO rush this bill through as it was done in the
House.
Senator Wigfall. of Texas, followed up Clingman's
blows by advocating further donation of 100 dol
lars from the Treasury to enable poor men to pay
their expenses to their Edens and further, pur-
chase of three slaves to aid in tling the soil
nifcently presented. The Senator did not specify
whether they were to be white slaves of the North
or black ones of the South The propositions Of
these two Senators are posers to the Republicans
they wish these fanatics to carry out their measure
in generous manner, as to make it of some prac.
teal value to the "poor, landless man" they pirate
so feelingly of. Certainly those who cannot pay
the trihng sum demanded for these lands, would
not be able 10 stock and till them if bestowed
gift and government should not give the poor slaves
of the North who now cry for dread" instead Of
, "bleedng Kansas mere glimpse of Paradise with
out yielding the means to reach and enjoy it.
Sumner, of Massachusetts,, presented on Tuesday
last petition to the Senate which most truly and
fully exhibits the offensive and uncompromising pol
lev really to be carried out by his party The pc
ttion is signed by wealthy fanatic of Boston and
some four hundred Others asking Congress to repeal
the fugitive slave law to abolish slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia and in the Territories to prohibit
the inter-save State trade and to pass resolution
pledgng Congress against the admission of any slave
State into the Union the acquisition of any slave
territory. &c, &c. This might be regarded as but
silly exhibition of fanatcism in its worst stage
/, but it is more, has deeper significance than the
usual rantings of these enthusiasts 1t shows clear
ly the action which this party must take if they arc
consistent in prosecuting the principles it now
holds IF territory can abolish slavery why can
not Congress do likewise; if Congress has the right
ana power to abolish slavery in this District, is not
the Inference legitimate that it has the power tt
prohibit the nterslave State trade as an operation
going beyond the local laws of States? This vile pc
ttion but too truly exhibits the designs of the Re
publican party. The institution which they wal
against has never affected them injuriously, either
socially or financially, and never What then il
the object, but to goad to desperation until som,
overt act is committed and then sound the terrib,
cry Of "Disunion."
1t is passing strange that trembling as we are OF
the very brink of fearful dangers and troubles Their
should be found in the South men whose prejudice
arc so bitter, whose ambition is so unbrldled ant
insane as to create division among us by the or
ganizaton of so called "Union Constitutional par
ties (which cannot accomplish anything and only Grip
! plthe efforts of the Democratic party which might
| Hoard's committee has been, at length, appointe
and consists of himself, as chairman, and of Case,
Indiana, Bnrnham, Of Connecticut, and Dimmick, Q
Pennsylvania, as members, with one vacancy crea
ted by Bonham, of South Carolina, being excuse
from service on it.
, It is to be hoped this committee will not evinc
the same hardness in investigation that the Speake
did in making the selection of its members. Tn
administration are anxious for thorough scrutiny
and the Democratic party in Congress have alread
shown their desire to have all such charges strictl
inquired into.
The various rumors as to the meeting of the DEN
ocratic National Executive Committee for the pul
pose of changing the place of meeting OF the Charles
ton Convention have no foundation in fact l al
assured by those who should know that no chang
is contemplated, and that the committee have n