The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-02-21

AFFAIRS AT MASHINGTON.-A correspondent
of the Richmond Dispatch Ga neutral paper) writ
ing from Washington city, gives the following view
Of affairs at the Capitol:
During brief sojourn in this place, which in
modern times has to me the appearance of for
eign city, | find no abatement, whatever, of the
aversion and hatred existing between the Northern
and Southern sections of this Uniou-or rather on
the part of the Representatives of each section for
each other They do not ningle they sit on opposite
sides of the House-and the most ordinary civil
tiles only interchanged by few from either
side. A member from the right (the Southern
side) remarked to friend the other day, who was
speaking of Mason and Dixon's line "Here"
said he, waving his hand towards the centre aisle
of the House, sis Mason and Dixon's line!" 1t
is Mason and Dxon's lines" ard the spirit of the
South is on the right, and that of the North on
the left The North controls everything, while
the South looks on. The most mercenary motives
are in the ascendant and are openly avowed
The South has foretaste of the utter provin-
ciaism which she must submit TO, should the mere
ly sectional party now in power in the House be
fairly and permanently installed. She will become
the Ireland of the United States-the North being
the England She will have the name of repre-
sentation, but no advantage or benefit from it.
She can assert her ghts with eloquent tongues,
she can inveig Oh against corruption and tyranny
Win all the force OF truth ana power OF Oeclanla-
ton, but what effect will it all have on the leaden
and cold heart of power?
The question is, will the South submit to such
position of provinciasm? That remains to be
l have been of opinion that when a section
allied majority had entire control Of the Govern
ment, that the Union would fall to pieces, accord
ing toWashington's prediction result, | have
ever believed, he thought justifabe. He certain
ly looked upon it an inevitable consequence.
Still as | desire most ardently the preservation of
this L Mon, l shall look upon the triumph of the
anti-slavery power of the North at the next Pres-
Dental election as the fellest event that ever hap
pened in this country The spirit of prophecy
must be in Washington's predctop-aye, and
.Icffcrson's, too. Both these great Fathers Of
the Revolution looked upon the triumph of politi-
cal scctonalism in the Federal Government as
inevitably involving dissolution of this Union.
Mr. Pennington has walked completely into the
Black Republican parlor. He leans upon them.
He trusts to the hand of Grow, the Of Ii lex man.
the mind of Sherman. But he must be worked
by some ingenious wire-pullers. He certainly has
not the mind or tact for Speaker. This is daily
and hourly illustrated. From appearances thus
far, may anticipate rather unruly session.
Certainly, from what | saw ifthe House maintains
ordinary decorum and propriety, the Speaker will
hardly deserve credit for it. When the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole, and Mr.
Grow called to the Chair, painful as it to
see him there, it was very evident that the helm
was in much better hands than. those to which it
had been entrusted by election of the House.