Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-09
From the National IntclltscnceI, Dec. 6.
THE MEETING OF CONGRESS.

From the National IntoltscnccT, Dec. g.
THE MEETING OF CONGRESS.
This is the day fixed by the Constitution for the
meeting OF the Twenty Seventh Congress. being
the second session Of that Congress.
Circumstances, such rs have sometimes hereto
ore prevented the formation OF quorums Of the two
Houses on tho appointed day, have been within the
few las, years so brought under the control of the
magic power OF steam, moving over land and
ter that our carly winter and late Indictment wealth
er will not probably prevent the attendance to-day
ola sufficient number of members. Though they
arrived slowly first, they have come in within the
last forty-eight hours from every quarter rapidly
enough to leave little doubt OF majority of the
Members Of each House being present to answer
to their names at the calling OF the roll.
The circumstances of the country, whether we
consider its domestic its foreign relations, have
no.essentialy changed since the termination three
months ago. of the Extra Session of Congress. At
home, tho only grave evil under which the country
suffers vitiatcG currency, has not been in this in
terval lessened but rather aggravated; has the
public credit or confidence between man and man
been at all improved: but there is on the other hand
apparently more Of life and activity visible in
mercial operations, obvious relief to ndividu.
al suffering afforded 10y the prospective operation
Of the bankrupt law and slight increase of the in-
come Of the Government from the operation Of the
temporary revenue law OF the last Session. With
regard to our foreign affairs, nothing is known to
have occurred to change their condition for the
worse, unless there be ground for the rumor of an
angry correspondence between our Minister at Lon
don and the British Government concerning the
right OF search; for which, should II be So il
is hoped that at least an adequate compensation
may be found in the happy turn taken by the Me
Leod question, and its ranquilllzins effects upon
the put feeling IN both countries.
If there be, however, nothing particularly novel
OF much more than usually remnrka bic, in the
present condition Of our domestic foreign aIirs
there is il must be admitted, something peculiar
in the position in which Congress finds itself at the
opening Of the present session. so peculiar, indeed
that nothing like it has before occurred to our
knowledge, in the history OF this Government
We refer TO the fact, as being without example,
of the absence ut the present session. Of any thing
like defined or recognised ine,of division, in either
House OF Congress, having reference to the politics Of
the Executive branch OF the government. Heretofore
there has been at all times considerable portion,
and most frequently a malOrity-but, whether a
majority or minority, always a powerful body-of|
members in each House regarded as the party OF
the Administration; and, whatever have been the
party divisions and designations among the People,
and consequently among their Representatives the
President has uvoriably, tom the beginning of the
Government to the present time, been identified in
fact and in the public opinion, with one or the other
Of the two great parties into which, IN free Govern
monis, the People are prone to divide. IL is this
absence Of parry organization in reference TO the
Executive this fusion, If we may use the express
sion, of the dividing line between the Adminisra-
ton and the OppOson-that constitutes the pot
cal problem, to which, without attempting a solu-
tion we invite the attention of our readers.
Not TO waste words IN vain regrets for the causes
which led to such a state OF things, Il may be assam
ed as notorious, that rupture took place three or
four months ago. between the President and the
party by whose sufirages he came into power; and
that in the recess of Congress, Ito put no worse
construction upon the matte) nothing has been done
towards healing II. Whilst the Wings are thus
vered from the President the opposite party, though
exultins at the schism, and upon that foundation
building magnificent hopes OF future triumph, have
not as far we can discover, any disposition to
desert their own colors, 10 rally around any new
party standard that may be raised, So that the
President, in possession OF great patronage, and
exercising more than regal powers, cannot, how
ever he may have been casually sustained IN his
views by those who opposed his election count up
on support for his Adm nIsiratlOn merely party
grounds, from either side the House.
In such a c1niuncture this, II cannot but be a
OF great interest to thinking people OF al
parties as IL is of very deep concern TO the National
welfare, how the President will meet Congress IN
his Annual Message, and in what spirit the two
Houses of Congress will he disposed 10 receive and
act upon the Executive recommendations. For
ourselves can only say, tina; we shall watch the
Developments Of the next lew weeks with intense
anxiety.
From all that we have been able TO learn from |
authentic sources, IN all parts OF the country, the
Wing party stands hrm, with unOroken front, on |
the very ground upon which It stood little more than
q year ago, when II achieved for It's principles so
brilliant a success. A few individuals may, under
various influences, have Withdrawn from the main
body; but even these individuals are more likely 10
Teion il than TO draw others after them. The State
elections during the last autumn have, II is true,
been suffered in several instances to 90 against us.
But these apparent reverses have been suffered
through apathy and mOmentary encouragement,
and not through want Of power as will be proved,
beyond question, whenever an location shall pre-
sent itself worthy Of the exeruon OF Il.
The Representatives OF this great Wing party nSc
representatives of that party IN sentiment well
in name They are the same to-day that they were
Yesterday They come back 10 Congress Unchang-
ed in any principle that they ever prolessed They
come back, however, as we hope and have reason 10
believe with minds free from passion and open TO
conyiction. Far from them be any purpose un
worthy Of them as to retaIIate upon the Presiden,
the miserable warfare which has been Indignantly
wagCd upon them by persons who, Claiming to be
in his confidence pretend TO speak his sentiments.
They will not BtoOp 10 any such controversy, nor will
thew ImputG TO the President sentiments
which he may probably be a. ready as any man TO
condemn. They have higher duties 10 discharge,
and duties more congeniaI to their character and
feelings The country claims from them patriotic
service and the sacrifices Of all personal feeling that
stands "a the way OF public duty. From the PfesI-
dent the Wings IN Congress will, we doubt not, re
ceive any suggestions which he may think proper TO
make with all the respect that IS due TO his Official
station. and will cheeriuNy and zcaOusy co OFC
rate with him in every thing which can, IN their opIn
ion conduce TO the benefit Of our common country.
That the Opposition party proper IN Congress
will not do the same, arc far from intending TO
intimate. Should they DO so, the present Session
will be distinguished by another ieature-a feature
vet more GLORIOUS than new for II will exhibit the
spectacle OF a rivalry between two great parties,
Tout lately engaged in fierce conflict with each
OtheI 10 the clrnCslnes5 OF dIsInterc5Ied and I'M
partial dciIJeratOn upon measures having Tor their
sole Oh ecG the public good.
THE ONLY Man KNOWN TO LoEDoE.-Thousands
and tens of thousands Of individuals are known
IN London, but il is curious enough that there Is
only one man now IN existence known 70 London;