Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-10

Jauini n nc lunatl kto Ju0llkai, her rUna
phctl ID deuipcfatlc Journals, and AIfslkVe b,.
SCR Ne have Cftly boaeuliedin The opinion
that an extra session Of Congress should be a.
verted, u possible,tod do 80, with the due re.
gardlto the ppblicBi nterests- We have how.
ever, on several locaasions, and as tarlr.as De-
mber-last; expressed our apprehension that
the conduct ofthe expiring dynasty woarldren-
der an earlyconvocaiion Of Conrress absolute.
" necessary q, The experience Of the wlnier,
has thus far strengthened our impressions The
efforts olneary eyefYldemocraii member Of
Congress have been directed to the passage
Of such measures at this session as would.oh.
waite thenecessty Of new Legislation before
the nextregolar uaeeting Of Congress, but in
vain The Loco-hcos have beengobstina'e.
and peryerse a. they are obdhrate and in.
relerence 10 all the crying wants 0fthe coun-
try. They have resisted or impeded every
democratic measure, AND wasted more than
two thirds Of the session in passing in one
branch five million Treasury note bill, and
IN the other, in enacting aprospective preemp-
ton law now at present called for, or necessa-
IN. All bill amendments, or motions of relief,
they have invariably voted down or refused to
take up. The LocofOco party going out, know
very well that they viii leave behind them an
exhausted treasury decreasing revenue, and
millions of suspended appropriations, unsettled
claims, and dead debt. The liabilities of the
Government. according to Mr.. Banard's esti-
mate, are $4O,3S0,0O0: And with a full
knowlede Of all this Indebtedness, with a full
knowledge ofthe additional exactions Of specie
under the Sub Treasery law, and Of the fact
that five millions of revenue is still 10 be cut
off within the next twelve months by the op.
erations Of the compromise act, what do they
propose! What viii they permit! Why the
'stoppage Of all legislation excepting an act au-
thorizIng the issue of five millions Treasury
notes. Ofthis amount they will probably ex-
pend two millions before the 4th Of March, SO
that Mr.. Wlse's amendment; which has al
ready led some tOssuppose authorizes FIVE mil
lions of Treasury note to be issued by the new
administration, in reality authorizes not more
two millions: an umount which would not
last m )re than month. But at best it is only
borrowing Of Peter to pay Paul. Is this perma-
nent provident, sensible craftsmanship Is II
more than postpouing their own debts for Gen.
Hsr-rison to pay without meansl q.
Beyond the embarrassment ofthe Govern
ment itseli, look at the condition ofthe Coun.
Try! A third time since Mr.. Van Buren, I'M
derook the administration ofpublc affairs,
have thesbanks suspended payment third
tim1 has all confidence been dissipated and dis
aster and confusion, fallen like a pail on the
C relies oftrade and cOmmerce. We have seen
an hundred millions Of banking capital struck
outof existence within the last few years, end
that which exists confined mostly to the vaults
of the banks. We have seen the channels OF
industry torn from those natural conjunctions
and mutually dependent relations, which are
essential to tranquility and prosperity. We
see multitudes petitioning for the benefits of
a national system Of bankruptcy. We see the
public stocks sinking to comoaritively nothing.
We see a majority Of States themselves strug-
Cling in debt and in some cases absolutely
threatened with bankruptcy. Even Virginia,
remaining comparatively passive, we see seek
ing loan to pay her current expenses. As
for American credit, at home and abroad, it
has received shock from which scarce half
a century will relieve it. Nor is this par;,ly-
sis confined merely to our fiscal and CONNER
cial affairs. Il extends 10 our arms and deten-
ces. Our Army is nearly. wholly absorbed in
the swamps of Florida-our navy is but SCI p
tire on the sea, while in scarcely an ins nee
are our coast defences IN a condition to rcDel
the invasion Ofan enemy. Great Britain knows
all this, and hence SEXES and searches our
vessels with indifference, pushes on our set
Elements IN Oregon,wlth impunitv,'and laughs
at our demands upon her to settle the North
western boundary Of Maine. and the North
cFn boundary line Of Wisconsin. Have we
no sagacity, no resources, no patriotism
Is il in the power of. Congress to restore
confidence, regulate the currency, lay tax
for adequate revenue, pay off the public debts,
created by Mr.. Van Buren,, re-burnish and re-
plenish our arms and ammunition, maintain our
national rights, and reanimate the Republic in
such a manner that if tranquility and prosper
ity are not fully restored and maintained, it
will be no fault ofthe Government. VIII Con-
gress do this in season ?
The way for beginning at least, to accom-
plish some of these benefits, is clear. 1t is as
clear to the present Congress, as It is possibly
may be to lhenext If It is not seen and pur-
sued, it is 10 be attributed to the blindness of
factIon,and the perverseness of Loco foco-
ism.
Past experience admonshes us that little is
tobe hoped for from the existing Congress
much less can be expected from the present
executive. The Will ofthe people cannot be
executed until both these distractions have
passed away. The moment they are remov-
cd, therefore, is it proper that immediate steps
should be taken. 10 give the country as soon
as possible whatever benefits are 10 be deriv-
ed from the great and radical changes in the
! men; measures, and policy OF the Government
which the late elections indicated!
1t will be for President Harrison and his
Cabinetto determine whether an extra ses-
sion should be called. We have no doubt
they viii weigh well the argument for and
against such step. And ifthe convenience
the expense and She danger either ofprecipita-
ting legislation or Of doing nothing, with othel
reasons calculated to raise doubt, outweigh
those which grow out of the necessities of the
Treasury and the expectations of the country
then, we trust, indeed expect that 10 extra ses
sion will be called. But if, on the contrary
the condition of the Treasury, the burdens o
the Sub Treasury operations, the state of thu
currency, &c, &c, &c, are found tO,requlru
new legislation. we cannot doubt but tina
Congress will be convOked at an early day
For ourselves, we are content to leave tn
whole question to Gen. Harrison and his Cab
net, in whose justice and wisdom we have en-
tire confidence, and we are disposed to leav
their judgement to be made upon the facts an
'ihe reasons they shall discover for themselve
without any reference whatever 70 newspape
opinions MadiSOliGn.
The CLAMOR ABOUT PRESCRIPTION
The Official organ parades, in an editora
article, an extract from arecent speech Of Sen
ator Tappan, making, besides many unfounde
and msolent inSinuationS against Mr.. Clay, tn