Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-19
THE POLITICAL CRISIS.
MATTERS IN WASHINGTON.

Saturday was a day OF gloom and dependency at the
scat of government, and the elements themselves con-
tTbl,ed TO the generalSsiemnity
At the White House the consultations OF the most
impressive character. The venerable President seems
grave almost to sadness and the Withdrawal OF bis long
ued and cherished friend, Gen. Cass, from bis bosom
councils makes his poignant and more dill
fcult to overcome. His touching recommendation for
day Of fasting, humiliation and prayer breshes senti-
ments which spring from the bottom OF his heart and
while pail seems TO hang the Presidential Mansion,
the various Departments also manted in gloom In
the Post Office Department, the absence OF Deputy Zen
eta King who is obliged to renqnsh official duties tenn.
porary account of the serious illness oil beloved
daughter-the absence from sickness OF the First and
Second Asssants-and the sad and uncertain condition
Of our national AFFAIR." respondent air TO be ever!
where visible. In the State Department the aspect is
like funeral for it il OF the fathers OF he
republic departed when Gen. Cass surrendered his port
folio In the midst OF the prevailing gloom, report,
fortunately unlounded currently circulated that one
of the Cabinet officers had suddenly died. from the Ell
fleets of agitation produced by discussing the monentous
questions OF The day. and the breaking up OF the Cabl-
net Altogether it has been the gloomies day the ma
ona capitol has beheld for many years. and while one
looked upon the unfinished dome Of the epiol and the
unfinished wings of the magnificent ed6ce, the ruins OF
the Coliseum at Rome were brought wildly to his mind
eye.
In many quarters il is suggested that the President
render his Office for the remainder of his term into the
hands of the young and energetic Vice PRESIDENT aud
the suggestion is all unfayorable entertained Bot
President Buchanan will doubt stand TO the helm OF
the ship of State aud possible guide her safely through
the storms aud disasters which threaten her every
side.
The appointment of Secretary Thompson as Commits
.cner to North Carolina may render his resignation
essary The report that he has resigned is premature
The and motives assigned for General Cass re-
sgnaop after deiberation, probably not yet
perfectly understood 1t may be that he il preparing
statement for the public which ought to and will embrace
his views at large on the state OF the country.
General SCOTS Intervention is pregnant With meaning,
and the duties to be assigned to him will end in good or
evil I. is believed he Is in harmony with the President
and that be has councied wise and mastery inactivity
in regard reinforcing the federal troops at the South
II should 30 that he to be South IL vi
be only in the character of pacifcsto and in that
city he will be received with respect. One thing Ia GER
tain bis efforts and al Efforts sil be vain until the
North en- iRdsse at and in sober earnest assumes
that attitude which alone arrest the ruin that
stares the country in the face.
Dispatches we're received this morning at the Navy
Department from the Pacific squadron Lieutenant John
p Hamilton, OF South Carolina has rendered his resg
nation to the Navy Department. and has been permitted
BY the flag officer of the Pacific squadron in which he
was serving to return the United SsteA He intends
70 eIpouse the cause Of his native State.