Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-01-14
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON CRY. Jan. 9 1850.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 9, 1860.
II consequence of the failure of the House to Or
Sanlze, the Senate have done but little beyond des-
patching executive business and indulging in dis
curstve debate upon the prominent topics discussed
by the President in his message a bill of some
Importance, however, recently introduced by
Mr.. Mallory, Chairman of the Committee on Naval
Affairs, proposing to regulate and increase the pay
OF officers OF the Navy. The average increase is |
believe, about one and half per cent on the pre-
sent salaries. The passage of this bill would be the
bareSt justice to the gentlemen it contempates bene-
hitting. The extraordinary rise in the price of eve
ry necessary of life, long since induced legislative
action for the benefit of our Representatives Army
Officers, and executive employees, while those of
our public servants "who 90 down to the sea in
ship" have been neglected, receiving only the rate
OF pay established in 1855 The proposed increase
is mere pittance, but it would be OF material aid
to these gallant officers who are generally gentle
men in moderate circumstances
Perhaps before this reaches you YOU will have
learned from our city papers of the difficulty be-
tween Mr.. Branch and Mr.. Grow of PENNSYLVANIA
which led the former to take initiative steps for a
settlement by hostile meeting The note of Mr.
Branch is so plain pointed and characteristic, that
shall here give it:
"WASHINGTON CITY, Dec 30, 1852
SR:-N MI you please lame time and place out
side the District of Columbia, at which you will re-
ceIve from me communication in writing.
L. OBJ. BRANCH
Hon G. \. GROW"
On the 3oth Mr. Grow replied, and after referring
to the RECEIPT of Mr. Branch's note, says:
Regarding duellng as at variance with the pre-
cepts of the Christian religion and the sentiments of
Christian people, cannot re-
cognize it juStifiabe mode of settling Difficult
ties among men even in cases of unwarranted provo
cation"
He concludes by saying he twill defend his per-
SODal iph W nd hat
Odor of sanctity pervades the atmosphere in which
Mr.. Grow moves, when "he shifts from afar the
smell of powder" and how eagerly he screens him.
self behind the plea that such satisfaction is "at
variance with the prccepts of the Christian religion"
1t is little remarkable that with such a consccn-
tiouS regard for 1.-THE prcceptS of the Christian re-
| !lgon, his venomOuS tongue can spit forth vile
| SANDERS, and impudcntly insult Southern gentle
| men. Mr. Grow certainly did MOI know the gentle
mar he was insulting, and thought he could put in
practice declaration he made in New York Just
previous to the assembling of Congress, that the
! SOutherners would rant and foam, but that they
would be easily subdued and tanned" But it APP
pears that Mr.. Branchs quick and determined de-
mand upon this person caused his courage like that
OF Bob Acres, - to o0Ze from his finger-ends" and
! induced him to protect himself with the towards
shield. The statement made in some of the papers
that Mr. Branch, on being arrested exclaimed "the
information did not come from side" is a sheer
fabrication; he gave utterance to no such express
sion, or any other which could possibly bear such
| an Interpretation.
They have been speechifying and occasionally vot-
ing in the House, but the hope of an organization is
but little more promising than weeks ago. There
at present better feeling between the Demo-
Gratis and South Americans; but can hope
scarcely anything from this a days time may rob
us of every advantage gained, by violent, impudcnt
attacks upon the Southern opposition by stubborn
northern and northwestern Democrats. 1t strikes
me there can be no organization, so long the An
ti-LCcOmptOn Democrats maintain their position.
They have persStently refused to vote with any OF
the organized parties OF the House, and seem act-
ated by determined purpose to hold out until no.
G. Davis, or some other member of this dminutive
faction shall be taken up, and they be enabled to
give the administration blow and achieve Douglas
triumph at the same time. 1t is very difficult
matter to harmonic and draw into concerted action
two parties who have been bitterly opposed TO each
other; but this is no time for rakng up past fcuds
and cOnciiiatory and patriotic purpose should in
huence the Democrats and South Americans to for
get for the time being, the eXactions of party and
make sacrifice for their countrys good. After
ccCting conservative Speaker and thrOttling black
RcpuhlicanSn, then "pitch in, and the devil take
the hindmost."
The Republicans are very loud in their dcclara
tons that SOutherRers consume time in Specch-ma-
king-not they. Sly foxes these Republicans
They know that, with their internal Helper doc
tlncs the policy best adapted to insure success will
be keeping a silent tongue. Whenever some one a
little holder and less experienced than the old foxes
has venturcd to put his head out of the Republican
den, it has been eilectually chopped off, and that
man does not hazard another speech. The ability
and talent evnced by the Southern members in their
discussions with the Republicans is subject of gen.
era remark in this city, and is of just pride
to those who hal! from the South In every en-
counter the weapons of the Republicans have been
turned upon themselves, and they have been driven
to the wall. This is not Southern braggadocia, y
but a fact which will appear by reference to the de-
bates published in the GJobe.
1t would be folly to venture an opinion as to who
will be the Speaker, or whose chances promise best.
Mr. A. may have, in the morning, very fattering
prospects of an election but az he is tOppled
down. and Mr.. b. will almost surely be the fortunate
man. Speculation a matter so uncertain is idle.
The n c. delegation are all in fine health and
spirits, and deServcdly popular among the y. C..
residents here. The four South American members
from the Old North State have made, in brief
time hosts of personal friends among the Demo-
Gratis and will here state in this connection that,
while | shall freely anu fearlcsSy comment upon
the legislative action of these gentlemen, shall en-
deavor to do in spirit of fairness and lberalty.
The Northern Mail due here yesterday did not
come through, and the rumor rapidly spread that
the contractors had refused farther service until
paid arrearageS. could not trace this report to an
authentic source, and doubt its correctness.