The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-25

II appears in the retrospect as II every
possible event TO excite or embarrass the
government and the people was crowded into
the time Of that one session. kossuth fired
the American people to a frenzied sympathy
with the Hungarians. Lopez invaded Cuba,
was driven away, and returned in 1871 with
a band Of American flhbusters. They we're
captured and condemned-those VINO were
not shot-to life Of labor in the mines; and
this led to peculiar complications, till Queen
Isabella pardoned all the survivors. There
were constant rumors Of other expeditions
against Cuba, Mexico and South America.
A convention of fire eaters" met at Nash
VILE and discussed a dissolution Of the Union.
There was much talk Of the Gulf and South
Atlantic states withdrawing from the Union,
combining with the countries south of them,
and thus forming 'golden circle" around
the Gulf Of Mexico. And while congress de-
bated what to do with California rush OF
gold seekers took the matter cut OF their
hands. The region jumped at oace from
conquered province TO a state, with no terri
torial childhood, and Senators W. NJ. Gwinn
and John c. Fremont took their Official seats
but few days before the close OF a session
which had opened ten months before with an
inquiry as TO whether California had gov
eminent. -
The first session Of the Thirty first congress
began Dec. 3, 1919, and ended Sept. 30, 1850,
and, except in the few closing weeks, was
one continuous and angry storm OF debate.
The Twenty ninth and Thirtieth congresses
had been stormy enough; FOR tho first dealt
with the Mexican war, and tho second WITH
the close Of it and resulting complications.
President and senate were Democratic, but
tho house, elected in 1896 was Wing, and
chose Robert G., Winthrop speaker over
Linn BOYD, Of Kentucky. Owing to the dl-
vision between the houses, the whole terri
torial question was passed over TO the Thirty
first congress, and the whole of lS40 previous
70 its assembling was distracted with news
paper articles and popular discussions on the
Wilmot proviso, the old Missouri compro-
mise line and kindred matters.
In this temper the Thirty-frst congress
met. and was at once precipitated into an
angry contest over the speakership. The par
ties stood: Democrats, 112; Wings, lO5; Free
Soilers, Is. For three weeks the members
balloted once day or ofcener, and devoted
the rest of the time 70 furiously sectional
speeches. The Wings supported the cast
speaker, Mr. Winthrop; the Democrats,
Howell Cobb, of Georgia; but neither had
majority. On the 22d of December the mem
bers decided 10 allow plurality TO elect, and
Mr.. Cobb was at once chosen. On the nth
President Taylors message was received, ana
astonished the nation. 1t not only evinced
far higher talent than the country had given
him credit for, and familiar knowledge OF
the disputed questions not exceeded by that
of any congressman. but was very short and
plain. containing affecting appeals for the
Union. and on the slavery question went
Utmost far enough to satisfy the Free Sellers
1t was plain that he would favor the early
admission OF California as free state
A months debate followed, with many
propositions Of novel nature-one by Sena-
tor Henry Foote, Of Mississippi, 10 form the
state OF Jacinto out Of part of Texas. Jan.
~. 1850, Henry Clay brought IN his noted
seight resolutions" the first form OF the
celebrated omnibus bill' and foreshadowlng
the compromise which finally became law.
His speech Of Feb. 3 on these resolutions
read to the peop.e like a gospel OF peace and
union, and popular opinion soon showed
itself strong in his favor. On the 18th OF
February the president sent in the constitu-
ton adopted by California, which was de-
bated with unusual , lc. On the i4th
OF March John C. Calhoun rose in the SCI. senate ao
Tor bis last speech, but wasSo "ees snA' - ~
had IL read by Senator JarcsHi .uason, "
virginia 1t clearly indicated ui'So.us'. =.
o' 'ne Union as the only hope IN p.Auo =,
.po south; but ere the angry denunc 49,, ~ y,
.ne people reached Washington he v',s. ~ =,
feeble " bear them. lie died ON the ~ "
March, after nearly forty years Of coutinu < a.
political service "a
Va Tue 9TH OF March Daniel Webster mad.