Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-03-28
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON Cry. March % 1860


OF affairs in this distracted country certainly pre-
sents very remarkable aspect The inSurrectonist
Miramon, holds the City of Mexico where our citi-
gens' rights have been violated with impunity 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 hostilities with the neghborng
Republic of Mexico; and lastly, the evident CONN.,
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-
diton 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 connivance can be established satisfactorily, it
may tend 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 advan
tageous character to us. This treaty approved
by the President, and only needed the sanction of
the Senate to go 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 assiduousy to cripple and render nugatory
the sagacious foreign policy of our Executive, and
thinking more of party than their country, they
have exhibited bitter hostility to the ratification
of this pending treaty. They fear that the
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-6ccd party are
exceedingly anxious to get on another tack and re-
pair the mischief they have done. Such hypocrisy
and total disregard of the well-beng 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
the Homestead bill, now before the Senate 1t is
impossible for Inc to hear all the speeches delivered
in Congress- and the length of time taken to get
them in a 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
an 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
citizen of the United States 100 of land whcth
er occupied and titled by him or not, a capital
hit and will go far to open the eyes of the people to
the wholesale piundering of the public domain,
templatcd by these Homestead bills. Senator c. Is
opposed to all such bills, but he very properly in
SiStS that if the lands to be so squandered that
az shall share alike. THIS, however, will not suit
the purposes of the Republican party, who are stri-
wing to rush this bill through it was done in the
House.
Senator Wigfall, of Texas, followed up Clingmans
blows by advocating further donation Of 160 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 tng the soil so
nfcently 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
in generous manner so 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 triling sum demanded for these lands, would
not be able to stock and till them if bestowed as
gift and government should not give the poor slaves
of the North, who now cry for bread" instead of
"bleeding 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
icy really to be carried out by his party The pc
titon 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
trct of Columbia and in the Territories to prohibit
the interslave State trade and to pass resolution
pledging 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
a silly exhibition of fanaticism in its worst stage;
but it is more, has deeper significance than the
usual rantings of these enthusiasts 1t shows clear
" the action which this party must take if they
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 abolish slavery in this District is not
the inference legitimate that it has the power to
AAzAo IL
going beyond the local laws Of States? This vile pc
titon but too truly exhibits the designs of the Re-
publican party. The institution which they
against has affected them injuriOusly, either
socially or financially, and never What then is
the object but to goad to desperation until some
overt act is committed and then sound the terrible
cry of "Disunon."
1t is passing strange that trembling we are on
the very brink of fearful dangers and troubles there
should be found in the South men whose preudices
are so bitter whose ambition is so unbridled and
insane as to create q division among us by the or
ganzation of so called "Union Constitutional par
ties (which cannot accomplish anything and only Grip
plthe efforts of the Democratic party which might
IIoards committee has been, at length, appointed
and consists of himself chairman, and of Case, of
Indiana Burnham, of Connecticut, and Dmmick, of
Pennsylvania, as members, with one vacancy crea-
ted by Bonham, of South-Carolina, being excused
: from service on it.
1t Is TO he noped TINS commlttee VIII not eVlnce
the same hardness in investigation that the Speaker
! did in making the selection of its members. The
| administration are anxious for thorough scrutiny,
and the Democratic party in Congress have already
shown their desire to have all such charges strictly
! inquired into.
The various rumors as to the meeting of the Dem
ocratic National Executive Committee for the pur-
pose of changing the place of meeting of the Charles
! ton Convention have no foundation IN fact. | am
assured by those who should know that no change
is contemplated and that the committee have no
idea whatever of assuming any such responsibility.
The Convention will be held where the last one de-
termned it should be, Notwithstanding the asser-
! tons of papers to the contrary.
| Postmaster General Holt has left Washington for
Eorida rhnrn MrS Holt has aen snendinn the win