The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-02-08
PEOPLES PRESS.
Tuesday Morning, Feb. 8, 1912.
CONGRESSIONAL DOINGS.

anu TeSultlc the IefeHue Vi the Country. VI
ter uncertainty broods over all their delib era-
tons. The hostility of the several branches
of the government towards each other; the
confluence of parties in deciding upon meas
ures upon which before, the lines were drawn
with the nicely ofaperfect drlll,are features In
this congress which were never before witness
ed. Indeed, Jealous of each other and wran-
CLING and quarreling among themselves, far
as the interests of the people are concerned,
the whole business of legislation is at a
stand. Such latitude is given TO members in
debate, that upon almost every question, the
floor of congress is converted into an arena of
political gIadiation. Anarchy, agitation and
outrage reign day after day, and scenes have
often been enacted, which at home, would
subject members to criminal prosecution for
riotous demeanor. One member opposes
a measure because it is recommended
by John Tyler, another because it bears
the impress of Henry Clay; while the hoarse
cry cry of repeal! repealU repeal ~ to oil
the acts of the extra session, rings from ev-
cry loco mouth in the capitol. Thus party
spirit personal prejudice and private ambition,
displace every patriotic motive. We do not
intend to impeach majority of the wing par
ty. which includes patriots who would have
done honor TO the best days OF the republic
But we do mean the whole loco band who
uniformly OBJ struct all beneficial action by
factous opposition, and that discordant ma
terial of the whig party, who, forgetful that
they have a country to save, and principles TO
maintain, vascillate from side TO side, as pas
sion, caprice or interest shall direct. There
are too many of this description in congress
who doubtless commenced honest politicians,
but after imbibng the malaria of Washing
ton atmosphere, have been suddenly seized
with lust for power, and ended, like the str-
ped adder in singing the hand which warmed
them into existence. We would ever wish to
maintain a proper respect for the constituted
authorities of the country, land gladly avoid the
ungrac;ous task of reproviDg them for their
misconduct; but to witness SO many leading
men in congress trading for Office amidst the
signs and tears of millions of their consttu-
ents, and erecting their political fortunes on
the wreck Of national prosperity, is too much
even for the affect slaves of despotism to bear
In silence.
Is patriotism so nearly extinct in these Uni
ted States? Have we no more men who could
be sent to Washington with an abiding single
ness of purpose to do their duty to their coun-
fry and their constituents Are there no gen.
erous souls left in this nation, who will make
it their ambition to go for the people, the whole
people and nothing but the peoplel-men
whose lofty patriotism is not limited by dis
tricts or states, but embraces the whole con.
federacy, and who are ready to go straight
forward to do their duty without stopping to
bow at the shrine of a sordd ambition for Of
fee and emolumen. q!
But there is still another class Of men in
congress who, in all that goes to the dignity
and usefulness of that body, are fast getting
high upon an eminence, equally disgraceful to
themselves, and disastrous TO their country
We mean those fiery southern hotspurs whose
slaveholding tempers will brook no contradic-
ton, who bully and backyard all who oppose
them, and when their insults and taunts are
hurled back upon them, are ready instantly to
resort to blows and threats of violence if not
assassination and murder. No true lover of
his country or admirer of the high destiny
which once seemed to await her, but must view
with mortified emotion and despair, the scenes
which were enacted by these men. durino tbe
last week at the metropolis. A member from
South Carolina, attacks northern member in
the street, for no other provocation than repel.
ling with becoming spirit the most scandalous
imputations upon himselfand his coadjutors, in
the same language in which the assailant had
uttered them. And in the house the venera-
bic Adams has been proclaimed traitor and
dpe1urer for presenting as in duty bound, a
petition for peaceable dissolution of the Un-
ION which he repudiated upon The spot, by
men, who for years, upon the most trifing
proyocations have openly declared their appro-
val of the revolving sentiments of the petition.
How often ha We the South the sschiuizrous pa.
iaohc hghminded South" with Calhoun, Nc
Duffee, Hayne and Hamilton at their head
shouted dissolution and notification, because
forsooth the North asked for a reasonable far
iffwhich should protect her industry, and even
forbid its execution by legislative enactment
and authorizing an armament of her MALTA to