The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-15
W AS HIN GT0 N.
MONDAY MORNING, JAN. Is, 1874.
CONGRESS.

CONGRESS.
The fifth week Of the present session has gone
by-nearly one half the time Of an usual short
session, and it would puzzle one to say what has
been DONE The Senate awaits the action OF
the House, having, when it adjourned over, on
Thursday last to this day, literally no business
on its table, During the last week, two SUBJ
Jects have occupied nearly the whole time Of the
House, namely, the report OF the Select Com
mittee on Rules, and the reference Of that por-
ton Of the Presidents Message which speaks of
the lakes and rivers Of the West The first, in
wolves the existence of the famous 21st rule, and
OF course the right of petition; and the last, the
general subject Of making appropriations for the
improvement Of the navigation of rivers, and
rendering harbors more accessible and secure
The first, is a subject which should be calmly,
temporarily, and thoroughly considered. II in
wolves not only question of abstract right, but
matters of policy-questions which deeply con-
Germ the public welfare of the country, and even
It's peace and quietness. We have expressed
our opinion heretofore, both upon the RIGHT of
the people 10 petition Congress, as well as in
1avor OF the PoIIcY, as sound one, Of not at
tempting to interfere with, or abridge that right
We know the South and the North equally
well-we know wherein they are both deceived
IN regard TO each other. We can saw to the
South, from thorough knowledge of the people
OF the North, you can never arrest the abolition
feeling BY attempting to silence petitioners: you
may ~ well attempt to silence the thunder
OF the Heavens by putting cotton in your ears.
The New Orleans Bee is right in saying that
that rule !" is regarded by some as more than a
failure, as not only falling short of the objects
OF its adoption, but actually infarning the evil by
uniting living principle, an elementary and fun
damental doctrine of the Constitution with mo-
raj and political deformity, in effect identifying
aboiitionsm with the right of pelition.''
On the other hand hand, we say to the Adolf
tonists of the North, you are mistaken if you ex
pect to force drlpe the South to abolish slavery
Your measures, SO far from effecting this object,
do but prolong the servitude of the black popula-
ton, and prevent the ameloration that would
take place in their condition but for your ltimed
ill-judged, and oficious interference The peo-
pie of the South and Southwest, and especially a
few of the States, would long ago have origi-
mated measures gradually to emancipate their
slaves but for your interference: indeed, they
had already begun to consider seriously of eman-
cipating their slaves, and of the best means to
get rid OF them when the abotionists of the North
wise in their own eyes, because they know moth
ing of the difficulties to be overcome, commenced
system of irritating and provoking denunciaton
and meddlesomeness, which compelled the whole
South-even the Abolitionists of that section, and
there were then great number, to take posi-
ton of self-defence, and to abandon all their phi
lanthropic views in regard to the blacks. We
know this was the case with many-we might
almost say hundreds. We believe that what now
appears to be abotioasm at the North would be
allayed by the resembling of the rule which has
SO long been bone of contention between the
North and the South, and we therefore hail the
report of the committee, and the disposition mani
tested by the House to adopt that report, as fa-
vorable sign of the future.
During the past week the Committee Of Ways
and Means have reported several appropriation
bills, which will soon come up for considerations
and give members an opportunity TO speak upon
all those political topics which agitate the coun-
try, and upon which probably three out of every
five members come charged with speeches. We
can safely predict that this will be talking not
working session. However, as we have no conf
dence that any thing beneficial to the country
would be likely to come from the present House
of Representatives, even were it working
House, we are quite content that it shall be a
talking House.
Governor BRIGGs, of Massachusetts, sent his
first message to the Legislature of that State, on
Wednesday the 10th instant Ii is an ahle and