The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-02
Opening OF Congress-Po,itical Prospects
Condition OF the Country.

Opening OF Congress-Po,itscaI Prospects
Condition OF the Country.
Congress meets this day. The interesting POSI-
ton in which several public measures OF momen-
tous importance are piaced-the peculiar condition
OF political parties-the close approach OF new
adminstration-the state OF the couatry Itself, 10
all human appearance, entering with the brightest
prospects on career OF unexampled national pros
psrity-a conspire to give to this assembling OF
the general legislature OF the Union, degree OF IN
terest not surpassed by that excited by similar
event AT any period since the organization OF the
government The busy and intriguing politician
The ambitious aspirant to high office In the State
the greedy office beggar-the defeated partZan--
the genuine pairiot-the honest lover of free lnsti-
tu,ions the enterprlslDg man of buslress--ihe
great capitalist, whose fortunes rise and tall with
the policy Of States-every one who Is strongly
swayed by any Of the varied inf fences winch unite
man in such a great community of multifarlous
interests and pursuits, is now anxlousy looking on,
and awaits with the keenest attention the raising
Of the curtain on another act in the great drama o.
u nations life.
On all hands we hear it asked" What will be
done in the next session. What will be the
character of the Messagel" "What will be said
about the tarif-about Texas-about Oregon 70
elbow will the rival sections OF the democratic
party carry on their operations?' "What will the
wings do?" " How will Mr. Calhoun manage his
cards?" I" In what condition is it likely that MIR.
Polk will find affairs when he arrives at Washing
toni" These and innumerable similar inquiries
are made in all quarters. All sorts OF rumors are
afloat All sorts of speculations are offered. Con-
lecture is busy every where. Intriguing politicians
are silent, suspicious and uneasy. Office-holders
pass sleepless nights From the mere trading poll
tician you can get nothing but mysterious shrug,
or vague assertions intended to misead-and the
party organs are universally and prudenty
dumb. At such crisis the independent journalist,
who has nothing to fear or hope from any party,
has the whole interesting field entirely TO himself
Let US then take brief, common sense view of
the condition of affairs in which we are at this
moment placed.
The extreme closeness OF the recent Presidential
contest-the peculiar and nicely balanced state of
partes-the very character of the dominant party
itself tend to produce one great and beneficial
result, and that is the subsection of legislation 10
the control OF the general intelligence and wisdom
OF the country. There is no danger TO be appre-
hended from violent ultra party measures. This is
the grand practical view which we took from the
beginning of the contest between Mr.. Clay and
Mr.. Polk. We declared again and again, that
far as regarded certain important public measures
and the general policy of the government it was
matter of but trivial importance which OF the two
candidates succeeded. Nor was it. The natural law
OF this country is progress lis destiny is onward.
Here the great work of bringing the Western hems-
phere underhe control Of Anglo-Saxon civilization,
religious institutions and laws, has begun. Nothing
can prevent, whatever may temporarily retard, the
ultimate completion OF that work. And how is ii
TO be done BY our acquisition OF one new terri
tory after another-by the extension OF our COM
merce-by the growth of manuiactures-by
the gradual manifestation, In all their vlgor and
power, OF those elements ct empire OF which We
are possessed, but which are yet in great measure
lying dormant-hdden from the eye, like the vast
treasures in the bowels OF the earth, Ito be dis
covered and developed, and applied only by the
wisdom and the labor of years. Thus, then, il
comes that the annexation OF Texas--ihe occupa-
ton of the Oregon-a wisely regulated tariff, sup
plying ample revenue and afiordlng judicious pro-
lection to all departments Of national industry-the
formation Of commercial treaties with foreign ma
bons-a sound, and stable and honest domestic
policy in the several States-each being LETT to de-
pend upon its own resources, industry and intell.
gent legislation for the advancement of its indivi-
dual prosperity constitute the grand features oil
that policy which must characterize the admins
raton of the general government of this country.
Whatever, then, may be the constitution OF Mr..
Polk Observation-Disclosures may be the issue of the
intrgues and frauds, and wrangings between the
two "sections" OF the democracy-whether the
"North" or the South obtain possession of the
spoils--the measures to which we have Just alluded
will m heir nj nosition and oonnar
or later, be carried into effect.
variety of other measures OF general interest,
but not of such magnitude and importance as those
just indicated, will also be decided at an earlier or
more remote period, by the general good sense and
intelligence Of the people, acting through their
representatives.. In this category may be mentioned
postage reorm-are organization OF the militia sys-
em-a modification of the naturalization laws, so as
to render them in keeping withthe wise aud liberal
republican institutions of this country Postage
reform cannot be much longer delayed. 1t is a
measure which the people are universally agreed,
whatever unimportant differences of opinion may
exist respectngiminor details A reorganization
of the militia system, is measure OF much greater
importance than is generally imagined The
abominable abuses which now exist, have degrad-
ed the system. and made it subject of rldicue
and dersion. But welLorganixed militia, instead
OF being despised and ridiculed, would be regarded
with just pride, as powerful means Of national
defence. 1t is absurd to object that militia can
never be equal to regular army in point Of eff.
cheney. Ii was never intended to be So But if it
cannot be made-what indeed the nature of the
institution forbidsequal to regular soldiery, sure
ly that is no reason why it should not be made
something peter than armed mob. pro-
per cassiticaton--care in the selection OF Off
cers-a correction Of all the gross and intolerabe
abuses OF fine collecting-in brief, thorough re-
organization of the militia system, would be In
deed national blessing. And we have no doubt
that at lcas, attemp, will be made TO effect il
before long The member Of Congress who
takes up this matter and carries it through
triumphanty, will earn an honorable fame