The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-02

members have occasionally found their way to its
seats This object, however, has been effected more
by felicitous evolution of fortune, and the favora-
bic position Of parties than from any settled respect
in the community for the working-man. As an
evidence that the appearance of national representa-
tves from the working classes is rare, we may no.
lice that every case Of their success is formally an
nounced in the public journals. The want of such
men i'm the Congress of the nation am constrained
to regard a serious calamity to the country Their
preponderance in this body would work revolu-
lion in politics, which should be considered as
national beneht. Coming fresh from the bosom of
the people, guided by the precepts and discipline
which have been acquired in that great school, and
imbued with their sentiments and their feelings, their
course would be moulded by the simple maxims
that characterize the masses. As il is the national
assembly is composed almost exclusively Of sin
gle class of cltlzensthat is say of lawyers and
other professional characters. While am forced
to consider this fatal error with which our coun-
trymen are chargeable in the selection of their ru-
lers graver reflection presents ITSELF IL is also
fearful proof Of the growing power, and shadow
ing forth of the stern exactions of intoerant arts
tocracy, who pant necessarily for political and civil
supremacy, and impatienty endure the rivalshp of
plebeiansm in the high functions of legislation and
government. II is prevailing impression, that
professional men, especially of the legal fraternity
are the best Lawmakers well as distributors |
am compelled to note this an assailabe PROPOSE
ton of some, the denial involves soecsm. | will
not, however, assert that they the worst legisa
tors; but common sense would seem TO dictate that
they less familiar with the practical effect and
nature of measures which bear upon produc-
tive industry and economy, than the men
whose talents and abors are wholly directed
in these channels. This is the conclusion
that an intelligent and candid mind will nat
urally form after fair examination Of the question.
Why, then, the entire business of legislation should
L. IL. u. -. u
portioncd, TO some extent, among the members of
the productive classes, whose sound common sense,
practical sagacity and experience, as well as proven
bal honesty, would guaranty an able and faith
full performance of the public service, has al
ways been to me an inexplicable problem--or, at
least, has been so except upon the suppostion to
which have before alluded. The public welfare
would, doubtless, receive more wholesome aten-
ton under a different system. What are the mo-
tives and impulses by which these official aspirants
are actuated? will not erect myself into their CEN
sor and Judge. Let their own lives and actions de-
eide for them, whether their course is prompted by
an absorbing for the general ,oeie, wheth-
err fame, popularity, or even some more reprehensibe
motives are not among the governing principles of
their conduct Let a candid and disinterested man
attend the deliberations of the halls of Congress; and
IT he does not become recusant to the existing
prevalence ofpoitcal preferment, will confess my
self incapable Of reasoning by induction, or shall be
forced to admit, at least, that different men may
draw contradictory conclusions from the prem
ises. As he sits and views that miniature Babel,
merous trains of reflection will pass across his mind.
The sehshness of one will present itself; the
vanity of another; the ambition of another and, per-
haps, the ability and patriotism of Ie,o will stand
prominent TO relieve the sadness of the picture.
But the one absorbing thought--the one engrossng
impression of his mind, rising above all others, and
from its predominance, overshadowing all others
will be occasioned by the singular propensity, the
remarkable mania in that body for Cabling. This
sin is not chargeabe necessarily upon any one
of the learned Professions yet it is a foible into
which those who destitute of all other qualifca-
tons are most liable to fall. From idle ambition
to hear the echo of their own stentoran voices, to
gain The bauble of popularity, or to nstonnd each
other with their vast attainments, Herculean
thoughts, and Ciceronean eloquence-every bill pro-
posed and every question presented, they conceive
must be discussed with the solemnity and warmth
of feeling, and with great consumption of TIME, as
thought were some new Magma Chara--some petit
ton OF rights--some habees corpus act, declara-
ton of independence. Thus by long speeches,
which are fraught with everything but sense and
logic; by party maneuvring, chicane, and intrigue
the business of the commonwealth is retarded, the
interests of the people neglected and prejudiced,
and their money, for which they have toiled and
sweat, is squandered away. But the crowning fea-
ture in their moral and political code is that of duel
Ing or, in other more appropriate terms, of murder
ing in accordance with the laws OF honor certain
custom instituted in the reign of ignorance and bar
barism, fostered by cowardice, and perpetuated by
folly, TO be resorted to by men who are struggling
under the oppressive weight of false noiions Of tt
greatness and gentiity to wipe from themselves the
imputaton Of pusillanmy to which parsimo-
nous Nature in her distribution of talents, has sub
jected them.
These reflections are not INDUCED from any
morbid dislike to the men who more commonly
called to the management Of public affairs, from
the simple desire of making invidous distinctions
among particular classes of but n show
the grounds of u just complaint against deleterious
system of affairs that has insensibly grown up
around u.s. Respect for merit, and duty we owe
to the imperative claims of truth, compel me to
say, that in our legislative halls to be found
many ichose souls Of the noblest composition, whose
aims are their counry's veal, and whose nerves
and inellects are daily taxed and devoted to the
holy and dlsinterested Office Of serving her. These
are glorious exceptions, and do not fall under the
classification of those who deserve the Just censure
have already assigned to the turbulent and the
proud. But the others are vendors and traders in
politics. Having no sympathy for the masses, ex-
cept what selfnterest inspires, they will favor
laws or measures, however excellent and beneficial
in themselves, unless they are clearly in
sonance with policy calculated to advance their
own prospects. They make the public good
ticle of merchandise, which, as mercenares they
will barter for the greatest amount of personal or
sectional advantage.
When the people shall arrive at a correct under.
when they shall be fully aroused to consider their
own transcendent Importance and their real inter-
ests, a salutary change will be superinduced, and
new and more equable condition of things will be
introduced Place in these positions large proper
ton of men ofsound practical talents--men identified
with and participating in, the feelings of the
and the work of legislation will be conducted with
energy and despatch. The war Of punctos and
techncalities will longer be waged incessant-
ly, and the interests Of the nation will no longer be
liant and lengthy harangucs. Discussion is a very
fit exercise, and times essential to the nvesga-
tlon Of truth and, when rightly employed in the
eucldatlon of new Of policy, is productive
OF infinite good. But it must be confessed, that
most OF the discussions 10 our halls of legislation
are so protracted, conducted with such excess Of
spleen and acrimony and so little connected with the
matter at issue on every occasion, that they are
rous public grievance and call loudly for speedy and
efectual reform honestly believe the best corrective
for the evil would be the entire remodelling of the
present construction of national representation, by
gradual dlminution Of the professional characters,
an n ubafi ft,tio IF o,,l