a share of them feel themselves irresistibly tempted to fulfil the expectation! Then, connect with this patronage the negotiations for mail contracts, and all the powers and influences incidental to the Post-Office Department, and it will be strange, indeed—nay, inexpressibly honorable to human nature—if an immense and ever-swelling tide of corruption should not attend upon the organization and operations of that Depart ment.

But it will be said, that the individuals and associations, that would take the place of Government, in carrying the mail, would be as corrupt and corrupting in the work, as Government is. Admit, that they would be as corrupt-nevertheless they could not be as corrupting. The corrupting power of individuals and associations is as nothing, compared with that of Government. For, whilst Government remains pure, it will be both disposed and able to control guilty individuals and associations. But when Government itself has yielded to corruption, the restraining barriers are broken down, and all is in danger of being lost.

I must close. I have not said all, that I intended to say. But, as the remainder of our session may be very short, so we must make our speeches short. If this Congress would do a better thing than any Congress has ever done, let it declare, that the Post-Office Department shall, at the end of two years, cease to exist; and shall then give place to such machinery, as the people shall select and employ; and to as perfect freedom, on the part of the people, to carry their letters in what way they will, as they now exercise in carrying their beef, and pork, and flour, and themselves.

What I have said is in harmony with the amendment, which I sent to the Clerk's desk. I cannot be ignorant, that many, who hear me, will believe that my amendment will be unpopular in some quarters, especially in the new and scantily peopled portions of the country. But I am, yet, to be convinced, that it will be unpopular, even there. I am, yet, to be convinced, that so just and wise a measure, as the abolition of the Post-Office Department, will work loss to any portion of the country. A monopoly in the hands of a Democratic Government!--copied, in the ignorant infancy of that Government, from monarchy and despotism ! at war with the whole genius and framework of that Government!—tell it not, that any section, or any worthy interests, of our people can be injured by the abolition of a so entirely misplaced usurpation !

I will admit, however, for the sake of the argument, that my proposition is unpopular. Happily for me, I have no popularity to jeopard. I belong, as I said, in this place, a few months ago, to a solitary party; or, if the honorable gentleman from North-Carolina [Mr. Clingman) will permit me to say so, to that dual party, composed of himself and myself. [Laughter.] But,

though I have no popularity to jeopard, nevertheless, many who hear me have. I hope, however, that they

, will not allow themselves to be trammeled by it, on this occasion. I hope, that they will remember, that justice is more important than popularity, and that he, who honors the demands of justice, will acquire an increasing and enduring respect, which is infinitely more valuable than any popularity, and especially, than that yulgar and mushroom popularity, which is the poor pay for trampling on justice.

MR. CHANDLER, of Pennyslvania, had offered an amendment to the Civil and Diplomatic Bill, providing for an expenditure of five hundred thousand dollars to continue the aqueduct for bringing water into the City of Washington. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, moved and advocated an increase of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. SMITII replied as follows:

The honorable gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Stephens] said, "Go on!" I say, stop! I have not risen to oppose this plan, or to advocate any other. I have nothing to say in disparagement of deriving the water from the Potomac; and nothing to say in praise of deriving it from Rock Creek. I am opposed to the